How to Lead a Successful Youth Ministry Online

Ministry is an opportunity to reach people for Jesus, and one way that you can reach students in your community is by offering an online experience geared for them.

The gospel is the same, but as our world changes, our methods need to change as well.

Below are some tips from our resource partner, Dare 2 Share, that will help you create an excellent online experience for your students.

How to Do Youth Ministry Online

You may be surprised by how much your online experience can resemble your in-person youth gatherings. Depending on the platform you use, your experience may include videos (both funny and serious), games, and conversations via chat. Just like in-person, make sure that your message and gospel presentation are clear. Dare to Share uses the G.O.S.P.E.L. acrostic to easily explain that invitation God offers us all:

• God created us to be with Him.
• Our sins separate us from God.
• Sins cannot be removed by good deeds.
• Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again.
• Everyone who trusts in Him alone has eternal life.
• Life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever!

With the gospel presentation, use language like “Even if times are tough right now, we know that with Jesus, nothing can take away that hope we have.”

Where to Digitally Host Your Youth Group

Church Online Platform

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The Church Online Platform is a free digital ministry tool from Life.Church, designed to help your church build deeper connections online. With discipleship features like Moments that guide next steps, live chat that creates authentic community, and private prayer that meets people's needs, this platform could be your church's next step in reaching people for Jesus online.

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Zoom

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Zoom offers both a free and paid version, and has a great chat feature you can use during the call. You would also have the ability to share your screen.

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Google Meet

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Google Hangouts is similar to Zoom. It has a chat feature you can use for fun conversation and discussion.

YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook

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Each platform has a Live option you can use for your online ministry. Facebook makes it easy to create a closed private group for your students. You can also do a pre-recorded video and put it on YouTube or Instagram. Consider a small group texting interaction to process and discuss the message afterwards.

How to Stay Connected

Even more important than broadcasting a message for students is connecting with them personally. Here are a few opportunities to interact with students and families:

• Record a brief video message to encourage and point students to the hope of Jesus. Post it on Facebook, Instagram, or other social media platforms. Send this video out via group text message, email, or Messenger.

• Encourage your small group leaders to text students a verse or a simple challenge,  application, or reflection point.

• Send out video encouragement or daily tips for parents, such as “make a daily schedule” and “express gratitude together.”
• Consider digital hangouts or posts with themes like Fun Day Friday—share a fun fact.

• Post fun prayers, care, or share challenges on TikTok or other platforms to engage students.

• Empower student leaders to create videos that encourage the group to share their faith.

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As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities to reach students through technology . As you create your online experience, don’t forget about free resources you can use. Through your decision to step into online youth ministry, you can spread the gospel to more students in your community.

See all youth resources