YOUTH VOICES • DIGITAL MISSION

“GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF THE NATIONS”

Reaching out to evangelise, especially the youth, requires creativity and the use of digital platforms where they are present. The author presents some examples of new ways of bringing the gospel to all.

BY CRYSTAL THERESA, | NORTH RIDING, JOHANNESBURG

AT THE end of Mass, the Priest gives us a blessing. He says, “Go forth, the Mass is ended.” Sometimes, it’s a slightly longer version: “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” I love the hymn that bears the same title, particularly the verse, “take his word to others, as you’ve heard it spoken to you.” This blessing is analogous to Jesus’ Great Commission, which is essentially His directive to the Apostles in Matthew 28:16-20 to go out and make disciples of all nations. As baptized Christians, our mission is, or ought to be, to take Christ into the world so that our brothers and sisters may come to know Him.

Reaching Out Through Social Media

While the first disciples took to the road and traveled long distances in inconvenient circumstances to fulfill this mission, we can now reach millions from the comfort of our own homes. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, podcasts, and WhatsApp offer new means of “getting the word” out there. In addition, modern films about Christ’s life and Passion give us a greater visual insight, strengthening our appreciation for what our Lord has done.

Social media is a new means of “getting the word” out there.

In this piece, I’d like to draw on three messages received from (1) Leah Darrow’s Instagram page, (2) the Poco a Poco podcast, and (3) The Chosen TV series to illustrate the power of social media, when used correctly, in furthering God’s kingdom.

Baby Sly’s Miracle

Baby Sylvester (affectionately known as Sly) was born to Leah Darrow on 1 May 2024 at 22 weeks, weighing just 1 lb 2 oz (0.5 kg). His premature arrival placed both Leah and Sly in the ICU, where they fought for their lives. Leah’s friends reached out to her 69.5 thousand followers on Instagram, asking for prayers and funding. One post noted that it was a miracle Baby Sly had made it past the 96-hour mark, and Leah highlighted that, where she lived, Sly could have been killed at 22 weeks “with no questions asked.” This thought stayed with me as I followed Baby Sly’s journey, watching his growth, milestones, and development in photos. Each update felt like a testimony: “Look at God!” and “If this isn’t God’s glory manifested, I don’t know what is!” Today, the Darrow family lives in the hope of bringing Baby Sly home. Leah’s mantra, “Everything is always working out for our good” (Romans 8:28), has become visibly true in their lives.

Poco a Poco Podcast

The Poco a Poco podcast, created by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, is described as “a source of rest, encouragement, refreshment, and renewal for all pilgrims.” Its Spanish title, meaning “little by little,” reflects its focus on small, faithful steps toward the Father’s house. I listen to it as a retreat while driving to work, where it offers me a fresh perspective on life and the pursuit of holiness. A memorable part of each episode is the playful banter among the brothers. Their warmth and joy are tangible, and they remind me that those who dedicate their lives to Christ need not appear stern or remote. Through their gentle humor and love, they show that Jesus is at the center of their lives. The podcast teaches how to live out the Scriptures daily and offers a space that reinforces God’s love in a world that often feels harsh and dismissive of faith.

Where God appears to have been forgotten, it is refreshing to escape to a space that reminds you of His very existence.

The Chosen

The Chosen TV series brings the Gospels to life, including Old Testament prophecies that reveal the New. For me, each episode is a kind of guided meditation. Although some creative liberties are taken, none contradicts the Scriptures; instead, they help illustrate what the lives of Jesus and His followers might have been like. Watching this series strengthens my belief that it’s all true. Jesus said to Thomas in John 20:29, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” We are among those “blessed ones,” and The Chosen allows us to glimpse Him. The portrayals of Mary and St. Joseph open my eyes to the sanctity of family, while the disciples’ ordinariness reminds me that Christ is part of my daily life too. By acknowledging His presence, my routine can become a sweet-smelling sacrifice in gratitude for all He is and has done for me.

New Ways of Mission

These new methods of mission take the directive given at the end of Mass to new lengths. They are bold, intentional, and reach millions, converting and strengthening the faith of many. It’s a wonderful fulfillment of Jesus’ Great Commission. However, it would be naïve not to recognize that they’re also a spotlight on human lives portrayed on a large screen. Not everyone is called to be on Instagram, host a podcast, or make a film. But our Christian duty to “go and make disciples of all nations” remains. In our own lives and daily interactions, even in seemingly minor moments, we can reflect Christ’s light. An authentic Christian life can change the course of another’s journey through something as simple as a smile.

So, “GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS!”