About Dave Bourgeois

The Internet in the greatest communication technology ever invented by man, and it is imperative that those who follow Christ understand how to use it well. My company, genesys11, was created for the sole purpose of making this a reality. This web site, Lessons From Babel, is the web site of genesys11 and my place for making resources available and sharing the research I am doing in this field.

My passion is to see technology used by Christ-followers to bring the love of Jesus Christ to the world.  I believe the Lord has placed me where I am right now to play a small part in helping make that happen. My focus is to develop resources based on research to those doing ministry online.

I worked in the IT industry for 15 years before doors opened and closed leading me to become a professor at Biola University. I completed a PhD in Spring 2006 at the School of Information Systems and Technology at Claremont Graduate University.  I live in Brea, California, with my wife Marne and my five sons and one daughter.

About genesys11

Dave Bourgeois

In 2008, as I was completing my first research project on the use of the Internet by faith-based organizations, I started my own business, which I called genesys11.  This company is devoted to helping churches, ministries, and other faith-based institutions move forward in their use of social media, mobile technologies, and the Internet to meet their own organization’s goals. From writing a strategy to the actual nuts and bolts of developing a website, Facebook page, or mobile app, we can work with you to help your ministry utilize Internet technologies to their fullest.

If you are interested in having me speak to your organization or to help you plan or implement your ministry online, please contact me via email and we can discuss further about your needs. My email is dave (dot) bourgeois (at) genesys11 (dot) com. You can call me at genesys11 at 657.46.gen11 (657.464.3611).

Where I’ve been and where I’m going…

Upcoming events:

  • In the summer of 2011, I will be beginning a research and development project around a mobile app for small groups. See this blog post for details and how your ministry could be a part of this project.
  • Using the Internet and Social Media for Ministry - Summer 2011 – this is a graduate-level online course I teach at Biola University.
  • On August 20, 2011, I will be speaking at the Southern Baptist Convention’s “Community Ministry Conference and Workshop”. My topic will be Developing a Strategy for Social Media Ministry.

Previous publications and speaking engagements:

  • On June 23rd, 2011, I co-led the CLA Webinar: 6 Online Trends Your Ministry Must Address Today to over 300 ministries.
  • 2011 Christian Ministries Training Association (CMTA) convention – April 2011 – my session was on developing a strategy for social media and Internet ministry.
  • CLA 2011 Ministry Internet and Technology Summit – April 2011 – my session was on using research to improve your online ministry.
  • Christian Web Conference – April 2011 – my session was on beginning social media strategy.
  • Online course: Using the Internet and Social Media for Ministry – Summer 2010 – Biola University.  I led nine students through an intense six-week graduate-level course where they learned the tools and developed a strategy for going online in ministry.
  • CLA 2010 Ministry Internet and Technology Summit – April 2010 – I am part of a team that is developing a framework for online excellence utilizing research and case studies. I will be part of two sessions at the conference. For updates on our progress, see The State of Ministry Online.
  • Turkey Internet Evangelism Network (TIEN) 2010 Conference, March 4-6, 2010, in Istanbul, Turkey – I spoke to over sixty attendees during four sessions on online strategy and best practices.
  • Worship Leader Magazine: I wrote an article about the future of online church.  Unfortunately, this is not available for free online.
  • Outcomes (Fall 2009): I wrote an article to be published this fall on strategy for ministries going online. They liked it so much that they are making it a feature story and putting me on the cover. There’s no accounting for taste… link to article.
  • Worship Leader Magazine (July/August 2009): I was interviewed about how the church is using the Internet. An excerpt is in the magazine, you can see the full interview online here.
  • Indiana Center for Congregations, September, 2009 – Asked to speak again on Internet strategy for congregations, this time to over 50 congregations.
  • Christian Web Conference – September 2009 – Biola University – developing a philosophy of Internet ministry.
  • Indiana Center for Congregations, March 2009: presented a workshop on church Internet strategy to over 70 congregations.
  • Biola University, spring semester, 2009: developed and taught a course on Internet ministry.
  • Internet Ministry Conference, October 2008: Keynote speaker, presenting my research on “Best Practices in Internet Ministry”. No link to conference – it no longer has a web site!