Discipleship in the new millennium brings many opportunities and challenges. We have really awesome technology we can harness to share our experience of Jesus and the truth we have been given.

A question I hear a lot in my various roles is “Should I be using YouTube, or another video sharing platform?” As a longtime Catholic Christian who has worked in evangelization and as a professional communications consultant, I get questions about video use, particularly YouTube, all the time from those who want to up their discipleship efforts. In fact, I feel so strongly about using digital media (including video) to evangelize, I wrote a book on the topic called “Breaking New Ground: Discipleship Using New Media, Evangelization in the Third Millennium” In that work, I encourage followers of Jesus to use all that is at our technological fingertips to share our personal encounters with Christ, and advance what we have been given as it relates to Jesus and our Christian faith. Yet, I do not go into great detail about the how’s or why’s to use specific platforms. I’ll do that here with regard to YouTube. I get this question so often, especially the “How“, I created a 3-part video class on things to consider when starting a YouTube channel.

Here’s the deal. There’s a lot to consider when wading into the deep pool of video production and starting a YouTube channel or a Podcast. (Answered in the class at the above link.) I’ve been a radio host, and YouTuber for over a decade, so I speak from experience. Here’s the short answer. Yes. I would use YouTube over other video sharing platforms. The primary reason being that YouTube is where the largest number of people are congregating in terms of video sharing platforms across all demographics of people. Okay, yes, Tiktok, has also become huge success the past two years primarily among those 25 and under, but I’ll save that discussion for another post.

YouTube is the “go-to” for really being in the digital public square of video sharing. Since I published my book, the number of priests, laypeople, ministries, and apostolates running a YouTube channel has grown. One aspect I really like is the “recommended” feature utilized by YouTube that “recommends” and pops up related content. I’ve had a bunch of viewers of my YouTube channel “All About The Grace” tell me they found my channel quite by accident (Okay, maybe the Holy Spirit) when then were watching another YouTube video, on a related topic to mine, and my show then popped up on their recommended. I’ve garnered many new subscribers from the YouTube recommended feature. It’s not about me, it’s All About The Grace, [of God] and sharing what He has done and continues to do in our lives that we need to shine a light on. And that recommended feature can certainly help you share Jesus with more people.

Let’s say YouTube is not your cup of tea, but you still want to use a video sharing platform to share your Christian witness of how Jesus has loved you, healed you or worked in your life. I say, “Go For It”.

While YouTube is my preference, many ask me what I think about using Rumble, or Vimeo for video sharing? Those two are definitely good options. I have a Rumble Channel and have set-up Rumble and Vimeo for a several of my clients through my communications company. Again, both those platforms have pros and cons I won’t go into now but will save for another post or video class.

Bottom line is we live in a broken world with many who are hurting. Have you encountered Jesus? Have you experienced His love, healing or forgiveness? If you have a story of how Jesus has touched you, healed you, loved you, accepted you exactly as you are, share it! Make a video witness. Start a YouTube or video sharing channel. Share in on your social media. Bring the love of Jesus, the healer, to everyone.

I’ll leave you with Matthew’s Gospel, (Mtw. 5:14-16) “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” And a YouTube Channel is just one digital lampstand I’d recommend!

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