Several years ago, I read a book on lifestyle and nutrition that I really enjoyed. So I did what many readers do—I looked up the author and followed her on Instagram. At the time, she was not a follower of Jesus.

One day I noticed she was posting questions about spirituality and sharing her curiosity about faith with her audience. A Christian she knew eventually introduced her to the gospel and began to disciple her, and soon she started posting openly about her new faith in Jesus.

Her followers, myself included, were essentially invited to witness her journey toward Christ. Today, she regularly shares about her walk with Jesus on social media and even uses her email newsletter to answer faith questions and encourage her readers to seek the Lord for themselves. 

Although unintentional, this author was able to share the good news of Jesus with tens of thousands of people online—all by sharing her own faith journey. 

Her story highlights the power of digital evangelism. Using social media and other digital tools, we can reach people who may have never set foot in a church, and we can do it in the very spaces where they already spend their time—online. While traditional, in-person gatherings are limited by geography, funding or capacity, digital evangelism tools allow us to share the gospel faster and farther than ever. 

This is the heart of digital evangelism—reaching seekers (those who are looking for answers to life’s questions in faith and spirituality), skeptics and unreached people with the hope of Jesus through online platforms. Let’s look a little closer at what digital evangelism is and explore some simple and effective methods you can use to share the gospel in today’s digital world. 

What is Digital Evangelism? 

Evangelism in its most basic form is sharing the good news of Jesus with someone else. There are many ways to share the gospel, and as Christians, Jesus commissions us to share our faith and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). 

Author and digital marketing specialist Nelson Musonda defines digital evangelism as: “The act of teaching and spreading the good news of the gospel through digital media.”

Digital evangelism takes place anywhere people meet online. It can look like a church’s media team posting or streaming Sunday sermons on YouTube or a Christian blogger writing about his faith journey. It could be a believer on Instagram or TikTok sharing her testimony in 60 seconds, or a digital evangelist emailing devotionals directly to someone’s inbox.

Evangelism online can reach people who may never have stepped through the doors of a church, may have never picked up a Bible or who may live in countries where Christianity is restricted. Digital evangelism extends the reach of the gospel in ways that were unimaginable just a generation ago. Thanks to today’s technology, we have the unprecedented opportunity to bring the gospel to the digital spaces where billions now spend much of their time. 

Reaching People Where They Are

Traditional methods of evangelism required missionaries to go to where people gathered. We see one of the earliest examples of this kind of evangelism in the apostle Paul, who often visited synagogues where Jewish people gathered to reason that Jesus was the Messiah (Acts 17:1-3). Later, we see Paul stand in the Areopagus—the cultural center of Athens—and proclaim the gospel there (Acts 17:22-23). 

In Acts 2, we read about Peter preaching the gospel during Pentecost in Jerusalem. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter boldly proclaimed Jesus as the risen Messiah, and about three thousand people became Christ followers that day. 

Just as Jesus’ disciples and early apostles went to the places where the people gathered to spread the gospel message, we as modern-day disciples are called to proclaim Jesus in spaces where people don’t know Him. Digital evangelism is the modern-day equivalent of going where the crowds are. 

Through digital tools we can reach: 

• People who are curious about Jesus or Christianity 
• Unreached people groups who have never heard the name of Jesus
• People in regions where the gospel is restricted
• Everyday seekers who want honest answers to their questions 

How Digital Tools Shape Evangelism Today

Digital evangelism isn’t just convenient—it’s transformational because of its reach:

• It scales in ways in-person ministry cannot. A single post or video can be shared over and over again, reaching people with its message long after it’s posted online.
  
• It crosses borders effortlessly. Online, your words can reach someone across the globe in seconds—no plane ticket needed.
  
• It lowers barriers for people seeking the truth. Digital evangelism allows people to explore faith without leaving home—and effective digital evangelism connects them with local churches and believers who can walk alongside them in their faith journey.
  
• It supports in-person ministry. Digital tools are simply that—tools that can multiply the reach of face-to-face ministry and lead people into a community of believers IRL (in real life). 

As this report by the Lausanne Movement emphasizes, “The digital world has created a new mission field, with billions of people who can be reached without even leaving our homes.” 

This means that even small steps—like posting a verse or starting a podcast—have the potential for big impact for the cause of Christ. 

Digital evangelism gives us the chance to reach people we may never meet otherwise, multiplying the gospel’s reach beyond the walls of any church building. Below are just a few digital evangelism ideas and methods that you can start using today.

 7 Digital Evangelism Strategies You Can Use Today

1. Social Media

Social media has become the world’s gathering place. TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) are where people share their lives, seek advice and, for better or worse, form opinions. For Christians, these platforms offer an opportunity to enter the conversation with a gospel-centered lens. 

While the number of friends or followers you have online does seem important to many, you don’t need a big following to make an impact. A single post—a short video testimony, a verse that encouraged you or even a prayer offered in the comments—can reach someone across the world instantly. 

Social media as an evangelism tool shows us that sharing the gospel isn’t confined to a pulpit or even a street corner. It’s as simple as showing up with authenticity and kindness where people already are—and trusting God to speak to people through what you share. If you’d like to dive a little deeper into evangelizing through social media, this article by DelMethod is a great place to start. 

2. Videos

This may be one of my favorite digital evangelism methods, though I’ll admit I’m a bit biased (we’re big fans of using videos to reach people for Jesus around here). Platforms like YouTube, Instagram and TikTok are full of endless video content on nearly every topic under the sun. There are also billions of people online engaging with the videos on these platforms. Nearly everyone in the world can access video content from their devices. 

Because it’s a visual medium, video can make the gospel accessible in ways other platforms can’t. Through videos, people not only hear your words, but they also see your sincerity. A simple, three-minute video can reach more people than a sermon preached in a crowded church. Where church buildings are limited in the number of people who can attend due to physical space, a video can go anywhere with a screen and internet access.

Some churches that share their services through video-sharing platforms can reach thousands or even hundreds of thousands online, even while the congregation in the building itself is much smaller. One local church here in Florida is an example, with an in-person congregation of about 450 people each service, but an online audience sitting at over 14,000 as I write this blog. 

But you don’t need to start a church to share your faith with people online. You can reach an untold number of people by posting videos onto YouTube or other video-sharing platforms. That makes video one of the most effective online evangelism methods available today for reaching people with the message of Jesus. 

Pastor and author Chuck Tate uses TikTok to host a Bible study and spread the gospel online. As a digital evangelist, he reaches nearly a hundred thousand followers with the truth of Jesus every week. Tate encourages people to share hope online: “When you’re online, give people hope… At some point, even the ones who don’t want anything to do with the gospel, they may lose a loved one, may lose a job, or simply be going through a storm.”

This is where we can use online video-sharing platforms to connect with someone on a personal level, offering them the hope that Jesus offers in the midst of their hard seasons. You can explore more about digital evangelism through video, and how you can get started in this article by For the Gospel. 

3. Blogging 

I’ll admit that blogs and online articles may feel a little “old school” to those of us who are used to engaging with flashier, more dynamic online content. But they remain a powerful tool for evangelism. Again, I may be showing some bias here, as blogging is where I got my start as a writer— but I’d encourage you not to discount blogs as an effective method of sharing the gospel online. 

A well-written article or blog post can live online for years, continuing to draw readers long after it’s posted. Blogs give you space to share stories, unpack Scripture or even address spiritual questions in depth.

Many ministries use blogs and written articles to evangelize (share the gospel) and disciple as well. A great example of this is our parent ministry, Cru^®. Cru’s blog covers everything from spiritual basics to deeper theological insights. Another great example is The Gospel Coalition, which posts articles connecting biblical truth to everyday life. 

Even a personal blog can have ripple effects when readers share posts with friends or on social media. You don’t need to have a large following to start reaching people through blogging. All you need to get started are your words and the right platform—many of which are free. This article is a great first step in learning more about blogging as a way to evangelize. 

4. Podcasting 

Podcasts let you speak directly to your audience in an audio-only medium. Many people generally listen to podcasts during their daily routines—during their commute, workout or chores. Podcasts can hold someone’s attention for a long period of time and invite listeners to think more in-depth about the topics they cover. 

A well-done podcast show can also attract many listeners from all over the world. You can record episodes sharing your own faith journey or interview Christians with powerful testimonies. 

Those with a passion for storytelling might even create fictional podcasts or audio dramas featuring stories that point listeners to biblical truths. A great example of this kind of podcast is The Void (for adults)— an immersive story that reflects the gospel, written and produced by youth pastor Andrew Crabtree. Another great example is the audio drama Road to Kaeluma (for families), a reimagining of the prodigal son parable as a fantasy adventure. 

Like every other digital evangelism method I’ve listed, podcasting might take some special equipment and technical know-how, but there are a multitude of possibilities when it comes to sharing your faith using this method. This article from Reliant is a great place to start if you’re interested in starting a podcast to share the gospel.

5. Email 

Perhaps one of the most consistent ways to communicate online is through email. This article on digital evangelism by Delmethod defines it pretty simply: “Email evangelism involves sending evangelism content to people who are willing to subscribe to receive emails from you.”

With email, you can send your message directly to someone instead of waiting for them to stumble across it. And the best part? When someone subscribes to your email list, they’re choosing to hear from you directly—no algorithms involved.

You can share devotionals, testimonies, resources or even step-by-step discipleship content for new believers. You can walk alongside people using a regular rhythm of communication, building trust over time. In many ways, email allows both evangelism and discipleship, and fosters deeper spiritual conversations by giving your readers the opportunity to reply to you directly. 

Platforms like MailChimp or Substack make building a list of email subscribers and managing it easy. In fact, you can check out this Substack (digital newsletter) from the head of our Digital Strategies team here at Jesus Film Project to see how that platform works (and learn more about digital evangelism in the process). If email evangelism is a method you’re interested in, you can learn much more about it—including ways to begin building an email contact list—in this article from DelMethod. 

6. Online Communities and Virtual Reality 

From the beginning, God designed us to connect with one another ( Psalms 133:1-3). Although our world may seem increasingly connected because so many of us are online, many of us still crave a sense of true community and authentic relationships. We as Christians are meant to build and engage in this kind of community (Hebrews 10:24-25), and we can do so in the digital world.

Before the days of the internet, we were limited to building this sense of interconnectedness with only those who lived around us—our neighbors, co-workers and friends nearby. Now, the web gives us a place to meet people from anywhere in the world. That means we can choose the communities we interact with, and where and how we interact with them. Many online platforms exist to help us meet and connect with one another; as Christians, we can and should enter these spaces to share the hope of Jesus. 

One of the fastest-growing platforms like this is the metaverse— a virtual reality world accessed by wearing a special headset. In this virtual space, users create digital characters (called avatars) through which they meet and interact with others. The metaverse is a cast digital world where you can meet others to chat, play online games, share content and even attend meetups and virtual events.  

Did you know that Christians are now using the metaverse to host church services and Bible studies?  There, they can have in-depth conversations with people anywhere in the world. Check out the video below to see how Stewart, a virtual missionary with Jesus Film Project, is engaging in and sharing the gospel in the metaverse. 

Online forums like Reddit and communication platforms like Discord also provide spaces where people can share opinions, ideas and interests and ask questions—even spiritual questions. These platforms serve as virtual meeting rooms, allowing believers to comment and engage in conversations that point to the gospel. 

If you are already on these platforms and familiar with how they work, then your next natural step might be to begin looking for groups where people are seeking answers to spiritual questions, or even create your own group and begin inviting people you meet online to join. Dive a little deeper into the power of digital evangelism through online communities by visiting this article by thechurch.digital. 

7. Streaming and Online Events 

Digital evangelism gives us the ability to gather together in numbers and ways that were just not possible even just 15 years ago. Sermons, worship services, online prayer meetings often take place both in-person and online simultaneously through livestreaming. Similarly, many pastors and authors will host live webinars and Q&A sessions around particular themes or Christian books, giving seekers a chance to connect directly with believers who point them to hope in Jesus. 

While nothing fully replaces in-person community, livestreamed events often serve as the first step for people exploring faith. 

If you are comfortable meeting virtually and hosting these kinds of events already, then this method of evangelism may be for you. Alternatively, you can always invite others to join these events by promoting them on your own social media channels or digitally sharing invitation links with people. If you are interested in putting together a virtual event like this, check out this article by the Center for Online Evangelism, which explains more about evangelism through livestreaming and even includes some best practices. 

More Online Evangelism Tools

In addition to its global reach, digital evangelism gives us powerful tools to use wisely and prayerfully:

• Online translation tools like Google Translate and DeepL give you the ability to reach across language barriers and speak to people across the world in their heart language. Partnering with native speakers ensures clarity and accuracy.
• When used with discernment, artificial intelligence (AI) can help you brainstorm ideas, answer common questions, or draft gospel-centered content. It’s important to treat this powerful resource as a tool, not a replacement for Spirit-led ministry and finding in answers in the Bible and other reputable sources like commentaries, pastors and theologians. 
• Online trainings, like this evangelism master class by Palau and digital missionary learning communities by thechurch.digital,  teach believers, church members and ministry leaders how to use digital tools and help equip the body of Christ to reach the world with the gospel. Workshops, webinars and online training empower believers like you and me to share our faith online. 

As part of our mission to equip believers to share the gospel in every heart language, Jesus Film Project has an array of tools to share the gospel online. Take two minutes to watch this video and learn more.

Digital Evangelism: Your Next Step

Ready to dive deeper into digital evangelism? 

Start by learning more. Explore digital evangelism and ministry resources like: 

• The book Digital Discipleship & Evangelism walks you through the basics of digital evangelism and ways to apply it to your ministry today. 
• If you are looking for ways to apply digital evangelism to your church ministry, check out Five Changing Contexts for Digital Evangelism, a report for church leaders about the state of digital evangelism today.  
• This resource page on the Palau ministry website features inspiring stories highlighting how digital evangelism brought real people face-to-face with the gospel and provides next steps, including a free master class in evangelism and tools to help you get started. 
• Explore these digital evangelism tools by DelMethod, a vast resource for anyone wishing to learn more or start engaging in sharing the gospel online. 

Next, pick one platform. Whether it’s YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, a blog or email—choose the space where you already spend time and begin sharing gospel-centered content. 

Start small, but start. Post a verse, or share your testimony. Don’t worry about numbers—God is faithful to multiply what you offer.