New Website Offers Christian Alternative to Popular Social Networks
A new Christian website is seeking to deliver a faith-based alternative in the emerging online social networking phenomenon that has seen success in sites such as MySpace.com and Friendster.com.
A new Christian website is seeking to deliver a faith-based alternative in the emerging online social networking phenomenon that has seen success in sites such as MySpace.com and Friendster.com.
Oaktree.org, which was originally founded to facilitate the exchange of prayers and encouragement to and from people all across the world, seeks to bring Christians together that have a passion for God, life, community, technology and have the drive and urgency to make a difference in this world.
“I was searching for an online community where I could grow my faith by interacting with other Christians in a social networking kind of way,” says Brady Stump, founder of Oaktree.org, in a news release. “Unfortunately there was nothing out there for Christians that completely filled this gap, so a few of us in town simply created one for ourselves!”
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To create a user experience that was uniquely Christian, yet completely social, Stump enlisted the help of Mount Pleasant, S.C.-based web developer Zafari Inc. Like other online communities, Oaktree.org allows users create the content of the website through their personal bio pages, blog entries, online photo albums and forum posts. What distinguishes the site, however, is its mission.
“Our goal was not just to create a social network, but to make a positive difference in the lives of all who come into contact with Oaktree.org,” says Stump. The Pawleys Island, S.C. resident hopes for the site to be “a gathering place for the purpose driven, the innovators, the difference makers and the ones that want to leave their stamp on the world.”
“We pray that our new site will foster creativity and innovation within the Christian movement and will break down previous barriers of communication worldwide,” he adds.
The social networking features of Oaktree.org include: prayer exchange, expanded personal profiles, profile questions, Impact Projects, Oaktree Villager Email, ability to send E-Cards, the exchange of thank you notes, personal profile images, My Thoughts/Your Thoughts blog feature, multiple forums, live chat features, ability to share favorite links and a buddy list.
