Scroll for a Soul: Using Social Media to Spread the Message of Jesus
- Dr. Layne McDonald

- 2 days ago
- 5 min read

Welcome home, friend! Whether you're scrolling through your phone during your morning coffee or catching up on posts before bed, there's something powerful happening in those little apps on your screen. Social media isn't just about vacation photos and cat videos: it's become one of the most incredible mission fields of our generation.
Think about it: billions of people are online every single day, searching for connection, meaning, and hope. And here's the beautiful part: you don't need a plane ticket or a passport to reach them. You just need a willing heart and a WiFi connection.
At Boundless Online Church, we believe that every scroll, every share, and every comment is an opportunity to plant a seed of faith. Let's talk about how you can turn your social media presence into a tool for spreading the love of Jesus.
The Digital Mission Field Is Real
Here's something that might surprise you: more people are online right now than ever attended a single church service in history. That's not a criticism of traditional church: we love gathering together! But it's an invitation to see the digital world as what it truly is: a massive, untapped mission field.
Picture this: Maria is sitting in her apartment, feeling lonely and disconnected. She's scrolling through her feed, not really looking for anything specific, when she stumbles across an encouraging post about God's unconditional love. That single post sparks something in her heart. She clicks the profile, finds more content, and eventually connects with a faith community online.
This happens every single day, friend. And it could happen because of something you share.

Quality Over Quantity: Creating Content That Connects
Let's be real for a moment: nobody wants their feed flooded with low-effort posts that feel more like spam than spiritual encouragement. The key to effective digital outreach isn't posting constantly; it's posting meaningfully.
Here are some content ideas that tend to resonate and spark genuine conversations:
Inspiring quotes and Bible verses with clean, eye-catching graphics
Personal testimonies (your own story of faith is incredibly powerful!)
Invitations to community events or online gatherings
Behind-the-scenes glimpses of church life and fellowship
Encouraging messages that meet people where they are
Think about what you'd want to see if you were searching for hope. Would a blurry screenshot of text make you stop scrolling? Probably not. But a beautifully designed image with a message that speaks directly to your struggle? That might just change your whole day.
Building Community, Not Just an Audience
Here's something important we need to understand: social media isn't about collecting followers like baseball cards. It's about building genuine, authentic community.
When someone comments on your post, respond to them! When a friend shares their struggle, reach out through direct message with a word of encouragement. These one-on-one conversations are often where the deepest ministry happens.
At Boundless Online Church, we've seen incredible things happen when people feel truly seen and valued online. It's not about the numbers: it's about the souls behind those numbers.

Platform Strategies: Meeting People Where They Are
Different platforms attract different audiences, and that's actually a beautiful thing! Here's a quick breakdown of how to approach each one:
Facebook remains a powerful tool for reaching families, millennials, and baby boomers. Use it to:
Share sermon clips and live streams
Post photos and videos from church events
Create groups for deeper community connection
Encourage check-ins and shares from your congregation
Instagram is visual and personal. Focus on:
High-quality graphics with encouraging messages
Stories that give a glimpse into daily faith life
Reels that share quick devotionals or testimonies
Engaging captions that invite conversation
Yes, even LinkedIn! This is a great place to:
Share how faith intersects with work and leadership
Post about serving others in your professional life
Connect with other believers in your industry
X (formerly Twitter)
Keep it short, punchy, and relevant:
Share quick encouragements and scripture
Engage with trending conversations from a faith perspective
Use relevant hashtags to expand your reach

The 80/20 Rule: Helpful Content First
Here's a practical tip that will transform your approach: follow the 80/20 rule. That means 80% of your content should be helpful, encouraging, and valuable to your audience: no strings attached. The other 20% can be invitations, announcements, or calls to action.
Why does this work? Because people can tell when you genuinely care about them versus when you're just trying to get something from them. When you consistently show up with content that blesses people, they'll naturally want to learn more about the source of that love.
Empowering Digital Missionaries
Here's the exciting part: you don't have to do this alone! Every single person in your church, your family, and your circle of friends can become a digital missionary simply by sharing meaningful content.
Encourage your community to:
Share posts that have encouraged them
Write their own testimonies and faith stories
Engage positively in comments and conversations
Pray for the people they interact with online
When we work together, the reach multiplies exponentially. One share might reach someone you'd never meet in person: but God knew exactly where that message needed to land.

A Word of Encouragement
Friend, this isn't about being perfect or having all the right words. It's about being available. It's about letting your light shine in the digital spaces where so many people are searching in the dark.
You might feel like your posts don't matter, or that you don't have enough followers to make a difference. But remember this: Jesus started with twelve. And look what happened from there.
Every scroll is an opportunity. Every share is a seed. Every comment could be the beginning of someone's faith journey.
So go ahead: scroll for a soul. You never know whose life might be changed by a simple act of digital faithfulness.
Connect With Us
We'd love to walk alongside you on this journey! Whether you have questions about digital ministry, need prayer, or just want to connect with a faith community that meets you where you are, we're here for you.
Boundless Online Church AI 24/7 Assistant: 1-901-668-5380 Boundless Phone: 1-901-213-7341 FA Memphis: 1-901-843-8600 Email:lmcdonald@famemphis.netWebsites:www.boundlessonlinechurch.org | www.famemphis.org
: Dr. Layne McDonald, Online and Connection Pastor at FA Memphis and Boundless Online Church
Social Media Posts
🌟 What if your next scroll could change someone's life? Social media isn't just for memes and updates: it's a mission field! Every share, every encouraging word, every moment of genuine connection could be the seed that leads someone to Jesus. Ready to turn your timeline into a tool for the Kingdom? Read our latest blog: [link] 💻✝️ #ScrollForASoul #DigitalMinistry #BoundlessOnlineChurch
Your phone is more powerful than you think. 📱✨ Every scroll is an opportunity to share hope, spread love, and plant seeds of faith. You don't need a passport to be a missionary: just a willing heart and WiFi. Let's use our platforms for purpose! 🙌 Link in bio for the full blog. #ScrollForASoul #FaithAndTech #OnlineChurch #DigitalMissionary #BoundlessOnlineChurch
In today's connected world, ministry happens everywhere: including your social media feed. At Boundless Online Church, we believe every platform is an opportunity to share hope and build genuine community. Whether you're on Facebook, Instagram, or right here on LinkedIn, your presence matters. Read more about using social media for meaningful outreach: [link] #DigitalMinistry #FaithAtWork #Leadership #BoundlessOnlineChurch
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Your timeline is a mission field. 🌍📱 Every scroll, share, and comment is a chance to spread hope and love. Ready to be a digital missionary? Read how: [link] #ScrollForASoul #DigitalMinistry #BoundlessOnlineChurch ✝️

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