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Digital Evangelism: How to Reach the Lost Online

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“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20


anxiety searches jumped in 2020The year 2020 brought a lot of internal struggles to the surface for people who were isolated at home. CNBC reported that in 2020, anxiety-related searches jumped up 11%, with keywords including “anxiety”, “panic”, and “signs of a panic attack”. Now more than ever, people who wouldn’t just walk into a church are looking for answers online, thus creating a great opportunity for the church to touch their hearts like never before.The question is how can we, the Church, convey in a real way the change and freedom that comes with salvation over a screen? And more specifically, how can YOU be a part of it? Don’t let the fear of the unknown prevent you from stepping into the digital world of evangelism. 

 

So what is Digital Evangelism?

You may be wondering, “What does digital evangelism look like and how do we do it well?” In its simplest form, evangelism is sharing the good news that Jesus brings through His death and resurrection with people who have yet to choose Him. Digital evangelism then, is the conveying of that hope to the lost through online platforms. These could include places like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube videos, or blog posts and many other platforms. While the message never changes, the way it’s delivered can. 

If you are ready to take the plunge into digital evangelism there are three things you need to consider. 

 

1. Your church needs to know your “why”

church building kingdomWhy do you do what you do? What is your end goal for reaching people online? Before you do anything else, come up with your “why.”  If you’re solely trying to increase your attendance, increase your church giving, or to push an agenda that is anything but Christ, you are missing the point. The goal should be to sow seeds of hope that will help grow the big “K” Kingdom not the little “c” church. It is vital to convey a genuine interest in the souls of the people on the other side of the screen. We are a culture of skeptics and people will smell hidden agendas from a mile away.

 

 

2. determine the best platform to host your content

 

Once your church or program has identified your “why,” you will need to research which online platform will help you reach people in your community. Consider the digital path the Seeker will travel down to arrive at your church. For example, at CV Outreach we run ads on Google with keywords focused on “felt” needs such as “anxiety,” “depression,” “grief,” etc. The Seeker then clicks on the ads which takes them to a website with a video that introduces them to Jesus. Once they finish the video, there is a form they can fill out that will connect them to a local pastor. This path is seamless and easy for the Seeker to journey through. If you create a path that takes too long to get through, you will lose the Seeker in their journey. Make finding you and connecting to you as easy as possible. 

 

3. learn how to get the best results on your platform


utilizing online platformsOnce you’ve found the perfect platform for connecting with Seekers, you’ll want to learn its best practices. Consider looking up training on YouTube or Google to learn how to best utilize that platform. Google has guidelines and restrictions for your ads, that if you are not aware of them, won’t run. Keyword research is also vital for running successful Google Ads. If you are planning on running ads through Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram, you will need someone with knowledge of how to build the ads and how to create appealing content that will help bring Seekers to your website or to a local pastor. If you put in the work early on, you will have a smoother journey in the digital world. 

 

We are called to go forth and make disciples; don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with people online who need the right answers to their problems. If you’re wondering how to evangelize over social media, we’ve made it easy! Check out our latest resources and become a Social Partner today!

 

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