The Power Of Social Media In Evangelism

Three years back, Apostle Michael Fortuna Kembo, the founder of New Generation Centre in Beira, Mozambique never knew of Apostle Pride Sibiya and the emerging Glory Ministries.

The two were worlds apart. Mozambique uses Portuguese, whilst Zimbabwe is English speaking. Beira is a substantial distance from Harare. The chances of them meeting were so remote without social media.

Apostle Kembo only knew Apostle Sibiya by the grace of God, as he testified to Glory Media in an insightful interview at the just concluded ministers’ conference at a resort near Marondera.

‘I used to read Apostle Sibiya’s Facebook page posts. I liked what he wrote. Instantly, there was a spiritual connection. This friendship commenced three years ago. Since then, we have been friends on the social network. We then began to communicate regularly.’

Their relationship blossomed even when they had never met physically. The two finally met in 2013 when Apostle Sibiya preached in Beira hosted by Apostle Kembo.

‘Since I met apostle Sibiya, there has been a spiritual shift in my life. I liked his teachings mostly. I eventually invited him to Beira which materialised in in early 2013. The visit has since transformed the church in many ways.’

In Beira, Apostle Sibiya delivered a sermon explaining the spiritual connection of money. This was the beginning of a lasting spiritual friendship. In December 2014 Apostle Kembo finally came to Zimbabwe to attend the annual ministers’ conference organised by Glory Ministries. He also delivered a sermon.
‘Don’t stay too close to the servants of God and not partake the blessing upon their lives. Don’t bring problems but solutions to the ministry. Move with the vision of your father,’ he said, contributing to the yearly conference titled: Where is Elisha?

Commenting on the influence of social media, he cautioned: ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover, find out what is inside. We have transformed our church in many ways using social media. Many souls are coming to church and being reached in many parts of the country,’ he says.

Never underestimate the influence of social media in evangelism. Apostle Pride Sibiya is prominent on social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Whatsup among others. He is also a regular blogger. His influence covers all five continents. His factual teachings are transforming lives each day, just like what happened to Apostle Michael Kembo.

Social media has the capacity to overtake physical boundaries. As you are reading, Facebook alone reaches billions of religious followers. Many people have testified to receiving miracles via this medium. Social media is not evil, it depends on how you use it.

Social media conscious ministries like Glory Ministries are transforming multitudes of lives every day by manipulating these devices. Their presence on social media platforms has grown tremendously, while some posts by some preachers are known to receive more than a million likes on social media. – Derick Matsengarwodzi (Glory Media)