After searching the Web for a safe space for teens to connect and finding none, Michael Smith, a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Town Creek, knew there was only one solution: start his own.
And that’s just what he did.
Gathering support from friends at his Muscle Shoals Baptist Association church and some financial backers, Smith, 30, launched in November 2007 Christian Space Online (CSO), a safe social site for teens that intentionally and manually filters advertisements, comments, photos and applications containing harmful language or images.
“We are trying to create a place where Christians from all faiths can come and fellowship with other Christians and share their love for our Lord,” he said. “Our goal is to lift up one another in prayer and praise.”
And for 15-year-old Jamie Vines, a member of Calvary Baptist, it is that “great Christian fellowship” that has encouraged her to be a part of the CSO community since it began.
“(The best part is) being able to socialize with other believers without being exposed to profanity and other bad things,” Vines said.
With promotions in youth groups, on radio stations and at concerts and other events, CSO now has more than 11,000 active users of all ages and continues to grow.
“We have a member in India, where he’s persecuted for being a Christian,” Smith said. “He really doesn’t have anyone who he can talk with on a day-to-day basis, but he can get on CSO and share his testimony, ask questions about Scripture (and) give praise reports. It’s basically a place where he can fellowship with other Christians.
Something that we take for granted sometimes.”
When a user is reported for inappropriate activity, Smith or one of his volunteer team members investigate the claim and take appropriate action, which, at times, may mean removal from and blocked future access to the site.
“It can give parents a comfort level that someone is watching what their teen is doing,” Smith said.
“Obviously we can’t be watching all the time, but we do actively monitor the site. … We genuinely care about the people on CSO and the direction they go in.”
While maintaining a full-time job and serving in weekly church ministries, Smith is quick to admit it is difficult to find time to devote to the site. But he also said he is excited to be a part of what God is doing.
“There’s so many great testimonies from people who’ve been pulled through the fire by God. Members use it to uplift and encourage each other and share what Jesus has done for them,” Smith said.
Andy Murry, middle school pastor of Valleydale Baptist Church, Birmingham, in Birmingham Baptist Association, is glad CSO is available to his students.
During Valleydale Baptist’s discipleship weekend last year, Smith shared with students the vision of CSO and encouraged them to try it out.
“I know many were excited about the idea … and ready to try it out,” Murry said. “After all, it was a chance to network socially with Christian friends, and parents could feel safe about their children joining.”
And many of them have, he said.
Though some believers and nonbelievers alike disagree with the concept of an all-Christian site, Smith said, “We’re not separated from the world just because we spend a few minutes or hours on CSO. We are constantly getting hammered and harassed by the world in our daily walk. If we can escape some of that, I think it’s great. … We’re just trying to provide a safe place on the Web where Christians can fellowship without being hindered and actually be edified.”
For more information, visit www.ChristianSpaceOnline.com.
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