Social media works
Some are still wondering if social media actually works. Jonathan Acuff doesn’t have any doubts. Last Monday he mentioned in the Stuff Christians Like blog that his 6 year old daughter’s genuine concern for other kids around the world had led him to contact Samaritan’s Purse and offer to raise $30,000 to build a kindergarten in Vietnam. He set a goal of the end of this year to raise the money, set up a trustworthy donation page through Samaritan’s Purse, and asked those who follow his blog to help. In 18 hours, he had raised the full $30,000.
Say what?
Now clearly the power of God was behind this, but as is often the case God used the work of His people to make it happen. Through his online presence, Jon had built a relationship with his followers over an extended period of time. So when the need arose and he put out the call, the people already knew Jon and his heart. The long hard work of relationship-building–even through a virtual connection–had already been done. If the original intention had been to connect with people enough to ask them for money, I’m convinced it wouldn’t have worked. People can smell out that kind of motive a mile away.
Are you using social media to build relationships? What happens when God places some big need on your heart? Will you already have completed the long hard work of building the foundation of credibility you need?
