“CHRISTIAN VOICES” Founded 1995 EMERGING FROM A VALLEY

“CHRISTIAN VOICES”
                                                                                                                                                                       Founded 1995
September 26, 2018
 
EMERGING FROM A VALLEY
 
Satan struck!  This time it happened to “Christian Voices.”  There’s a saying “When you least expect it –expect it.” No warning, not even a hint, and there wasn’t any way we could tell you, our subscriber’s.  Our bulk email capability was taken away and, without it, how could we let you know!  We thought we would have found a solution by now, but yet we still are digging our way out.  We’re having to send this message out to you a few at a time, overall sending it so very many times over and over in order to reach all of you, but it’s very important to us that you know what has happened and where we stand at this time.
 
We prepared an issue of “Christian Voices” in early September just as we normally do, but received messages from our server, AOL, that our emails would not be going through.  We telephoned AOL and only then were told that AOL was purchased by OATH, a group of companies headed by Verizon.  AOL’s new policy is no more ‘white pages’ a term they used for ‘bulk mail.’  Previously we were allowed to send to 500 addresses with just one email; we are now limited to 20.  AOL can no longer be used by anyone for bulk mailing!  Remember, there was no advance warning!
 
We subsequently contacted Google (group email), Gmail (another form of Google group email), ATT group email, and private companies for group email - all to no avail.  Of course none of this happened quickly.  Days went by before individual responses were received, and when they w ere received usually additional information was required and thus more time was lost.  It seems organizations’ group email programs need to be connected to web sites, social media outlets and the like which “Christian Voices” does not have.  Simply having only an email address as we do is considered archaic, but it’s all we need.  Having only a simple email address by which we can send thousands of emails on a weekly basis to reach all of our subscribers around the world is simply not offered, by anyone!!! – free or paid.  Isn’t technology great!
 
Needless to say, out stress level soared!  All we could think about was what were our readers thinking.  Strange isn’t it how we seem to think the worse?  Do our readers think that we simply ended Christian Voices? How abrupt and rude that would be!  Why would Christian Voices leave us hanging like that?  Not even a word from them. 
 
Well, please know – we do NOT wish to end Christian Voices.  We think we have found a solution.  One of the many companies that we contacted was Sharefaith, the company with which our church contracts.  I talked with their representative several times and even though they don’t believe they have a program that will fit our needs, they are working with us to see if some program they have will work out for us.  Our church IT person who is also our Deacon Chairman has agreed to help us put an email program together that will help us and still meet Sharefaith requirements.  I did purchase and sign a 2-year agreement with the company.  So, at the moment, I’m waiting to see what he will come up with.  Meanwhile, I wanted you all to know what’s happening at this end.
 
Please be patient with us.  This caught us totally by surprise!  We’re trying!  Keep Christian Voices in your prayers!  Blessings!
 
     …..Bob