wfn.org | Third Way Cafi featured

[BethAH <BethAH@mbm.org>]

June 27, 2001
Beth Hawn
Mennonite Board of Missions
(219) 294-7523
<NEWS@MBM.org>

Third Way Cafi featured on Faith & Values Media web site

HARRISONBURG, Va. (MBM)  FaithandValues.com, the innovative new
web site of Faith & Values Media, now features key content from
Third Way Cafi, including a history and summary of basic beliefs
of the Mennonite Church, and audio and video streaming of radio
spots and Mennonite Media-produced videos.

As the nations largest coalition of Christian and Jewish faith
groups dedicated to producing and promoting timely,
inspirational, family-oriented media, Faith & Values Media is
currently best known for the Odyssey Network cable television
channel, which will become known as the Hallmark Channel in
August.  The recently unveiled web site features news on current
issues and topics, information provided by up to 70 faith groups,
related organizations and multimedia resources.  These resources
include live audio and video streaming of events, classes,
lectures and worship services, and audio, text and photo
resources from Jewish and Christian faith groups.

In addition to profiles of the Mennonite Church and more than 20
other denominations, viewers can find out what specific faith
groups are saying by performing a keyword search.  Topics such as
death, peace, TV violence, etc., also are cross-referenced with
Third Way Cafi material, as well as audio and video files of
public service announcements and videos produced by Mennonite
Media.

FaithandValues.com reports the findings of a study by the Pew
Research Center, released in December 2000, which found that 2
million people  21 percent of Internet users  seek spiritual
and/or religious information on the web every day.  This makes
the demand for such material more prevalent than on-line banking,
auction and dating services.  Another report by the Strategies
Group found that 46.5 million households were on-line in February
2000 (out of 101 million total American households).  This number
is expected to double to 90 million by 2004.

FaithandValues.com brings together people of faith to share,
learn and grow, said John Lynner Peterson, managing director.
We believe it will become one of the most highly valued faith
resources available for a wide assortment of people who are at
varying stages of their spiritual quests.  He added that church
leaders quickly realize that the web site can extend their
ministries efficiently and economically.

Faith & Values Media began in 1987 as the National Interfaith
Cable Coalition.  Its 30 members represent 70 faith groups with
200,000 congregations and 120 million members.
FaithandValues.com springs from the heart of what the Internet
is  a gatherer, said Edward J. Murray, president and CEO of the
organization.  Were about inviting people, believers and
seekers alike, where they might more fully enrich one another,
from their rich traditions.  Burton Buller, director of
Mennonite Media, is on the board of Faith & Values Media.

Mennonite Media, a ministry of Mennonite Board of Missions,
produces electronic and public media for the general North
American audience through:

? Third Way Cafi (www.thirdway.com), a ministry web site.
? Public service radio and TV spots.
? A syndicated newspaper column, Another Way.
? Videocassette products for churches and other users.

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Kent Fellenbaum