Outreach Over Instagram?

It seems like the only thing anyone is talking about these days is COVID-19. It has dramatically changed our lives, canceled our plans, and turned our world upside down. What are we, as Christians, to do?

Trinity University, February 24 and 25, 2020

We are commanded throughout Scripture to go and make disciples of all nations, to proclaim the truth, to be salt and light to a lost and broken world. The Bible doesn’t list any exceptions. Nowhere does it say to make disciples unless there is a deadly pandemic sweeping the land.

The commands of Scripture still apply to us today. Our calling as Christians has not changed. So what can we do?

We have to get creative. Many of the normal routes for evangelism and discipleship are not available at the moment, so we must seek out other routes!

University of Texas at Dallas, March 9 and 10, 2020: I am so thankful for the training and outreach events we were able to do before COVID-19 hit and forced us to change our plans.

I strongly dislike social media. Other people get great enjoyment out of it, and that is wonderful. But I would much rather have a conversation with someone face to face or at least over the phone. When our team decided to work together to leverage the internet to create conversations, I began to think through how I could contribute. Despite my dislike of social media, I started an Instagram account (@kaitlyndonihue). Why? Well, this is my creative route for trying to share the truth with others.

I have been following pro-life pages and reading the comments on their posts. Many pro-choice people comment. After reading a comment, I private message the commenter and say something like, “Hey, I saw your comment on Justice For All’s post about abortion, and I would love to hear more of your thoughts.”

Over the past three weeks, I have had some amazing conversations about abortion, worldviews, and the gospel this way.

I have been talking with one young lady who struggles to believe in God because she has been hurt and abused by a lot of people throughout her life.

Another young woman shared with me that she believes that animals and human beings are equal in value. When I asked where value comes from and whether she thinks there is a God who gives value, she shared that she doesn’t believe in God because she has been deeply hurt by some very hypocritical Christians.

Another young lady has been sharing with me her view on the issue of a woman’s bodily rights related to abortion.

I have been amazed at how open and honest these young women have been with me. They are hurting deeply and are excited just to have someone listen to them.

I said earlier that this is not my preference for outreach. I would much prefer to be on a university campus having face-to-face conversations. Yet I cannot deny that I am seeing God use this. And yes, even I am enjoying talking with these women over Instagram.

How about you? During this season, have you found any creative ways to talk about abortion, worldviews, and the gospel with those who disagree or to disciple other Christians? I would love to hear about them!

I am excited to see what God will do in and through this time to draw people to Himself. May we be faithful and creative messengers of truth.