My First International Trip to South Africa as an Intern Laid the Foundation for My Digital Media Ministry
In 2007, while pursuing my International Commerce degree, I took an ecommerce class that would unknowingly set the foundation for my future in digital ministry. While others saw it as just another course, I glimpsed the potential of digital tools for building communities and spreading messages - skills that would later prove invaluable in ministry and building communities.
My real baptism into digital storytelling came in 2012. Despite being pregnant as a first time mom, I embarked on an international internship in South Africa, armed with a WordPress blog as my digital companion. What started as a degree requirement transformed into a powerful lesson in content creation. Friends and family commented that they felt like they were right there with me, experiencing every moment through my weekly posts. This experience revealed the profound potential of web-based platforms to bridge distances and build meaningful connections.
This revelation sparked what I now call "digital evangelism" - using online platforms to share testimonies and extend the church's reach beyond physical walls. By 2015, I was pioneering our church's first blog, embedding strategic backlinks to invite online visitors to services and events. I leveraged Canva to create engaging visuals that captured attention and conveyed our message effectively. The goal wasn't just to exist online, but to create genuine digital pathways for people to find their way to our community.
In 2017, determined to eliminate unnecessary expenses, I sponsored and published our church's first digital newsletter using MailerLite, a pilot program to move away from traditional paper bulletins. While some members preferred their familiar paper copies, many embraced the ability to forward event information to friends or quickly reference announcements on their phones. This initiative exemplified a crucial lesson: digital transformation isn't about forcing change, but creating additional opportunities for connection.
Throughout this journey, I've navigated the unique challenges of implementing technology in churches and not-for-profits across Canada, where innovation often moves at a cautious pace. Working with limited budgets and varying levels of tech acceptance, I've developed strategies for churches to bootstrap their digital presence effectively, utilizing cost-effective tools like Canva for graphics and Kit for communications.
Today, I help churches achieve "digital readiness" - establishing a comprehensive online presence that includes social media, websites, Google listings, and digital payment systems. Whether you're a startup church looking to bootstrap your digital presence or an established congregation ready to invest in professional digital services, there's a path forward.
The digital revolution isn't just about technology - it's about expanding our ministry's reach and meeting people where they increasingly spend their time: online. As someone who's walked this path, from personal blogger to digital ministry pioneer, I'm passionate about helping other churches navigate this transformation.