DPS Has Provided Vital Web Ministry Since 1996

The humble beginnings of DPS in the year 1996 featured only a fraction of the resources available today.  My vision was to find an ecumenical group of preachers interested in an exchange of thoughts on the weekly lectionary texts of the Revised Common Lectionary on the WWW.  Of course, it was difficult to find people that were willing to have their contributions posted to a site that was visible to the entire cyber world.  In the beginning, I collaborated with several other cyber ministry pioneers, foremost Richard Fairchild (who started Kir Shalom in the same year).  I cut and pasted thoughts and illustrations from these sites and added my own thoughts as well as those few that were emailed to me by early DPSers.

It took more than a year before enough preachers found the DPS who were willing to contribute and, consequently, make the DPS Scripture forums work.  Before that time, I remember reaching a point where I seriously considered calling it quits.  I'm grateful to God for sustaining and strengthening the vision for the DPS ministry within me.

<= This is the appearance of the Desperate Preacher's Site in 1996 (click on the image to visit the original site).  At that time, there were only RCL Gospel forums.  The  inclusion of the other Scripture forums came in January of  '97 along with the  Discussion Board.  In '99 the WebTheology Site was added. Also in '99, DPS found a visionary sponsor in Cokesbury; simultaneously, a membership plan was set up for those who wished to support DPS financially.   In 2000, the PastorCare Site and MissionZone were adopted.  The year 2000 also saw the start of DPS Tidbits--the monthly DPS e-newsletter--, as well as the subscription program--the DPS Sermon Builder.  Today, the DPS staff includes a part-time homiletics editor, a support technician and several volunteer editors.

DPS is a truly ecumenical ministry site that has grown and flourished on account of ministry-oriented people like you.  Many of the resource pages and forums that were added over the years were originally suggested by DPSers.   Many of the resources themselves have been and continue to be provided by DPSers-- preachers and Christian educators from all walks of life, theological persuasions and from around the globe.   I thank God for the DPS ministry and for the multitude of wonderful DPSers.   May God continue to bless us together in this cyber place called DPS for many years to come.

In Christ's Service,

Frank Schaefer,
DPS founder and director