How to Use Technology to Expand Your Reach to Students

Written by Mike Sheley

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For those of us leading junior high ministries, we know that phones, tablets and computers can be used to send text messages, communicate via live video, or just have an old-fashioned conversation over the phone.

However, have you thought about what this accessible and free technology could mean for your ministry?

What if instead of just talking about a missionary, you could introduce him or her to your junior high youth group or even small group . . . without having to purchase a plane ticket?

What if your ministry could visit with and pray for a student in the hospital without trying to cram everyone in the room?

What if you could get someone who would be normally be expensive to talk to your students in person to do so for a greatly reduced or free rate because they wouldn’t have to travel?

Technology makes all of these things possible. (Remember, I said “possible.” That doesn’t always mean “easy.”)

Let me share with you a few tools that your students may already be familiar with that you can use to expand your reach to students.

Apple’s FaceTime

Since so many students and leaders have either an iPhone, iPod Touch or an iPad, this may be one of the easiest for you to use.

You’ll need an Apple ID to set things up.

Apple actually walks you through getting set up here.

You can use devices that have cellular connection to communicate from anywhere there is a cellular signal.

Or you can save money if both devices being used are on wifi.

If you are using a Mac, you can use FaceTime for Mac and mirror your display onto a tv or projector.

Or, if you want to stick to portable devices, there’s a great piece of software called AirServer that will allow you to display your device on a computer screen or projector.

You can also use Apple’s own AirPlay service, with a great how-to article here.

Skype

Skype has been one of the most popular and versatile tools, working across a variety of devices and platforms.

You’ll need to set up an account and then choose your method of contact.

You can do this straight from your computer or use AirPlay or AirServer as mentioned above to mirror to a display or projector.

Google Hangouts

Finally, the tool that I have used the most when I want more than two devices or people to be involved is the popular Google Hangouts.

Like the other services, you’ll need to set up an account. The great thing with Hangouts is how well it handles multiple people.

You could have a virtual panel discussion without anyone having to leave home!

And, like before, you can mirror your display to a large display or projector or use the AirPlay or AirServer options.

Now What?

You probably should test out and be familiar with each of these. It really boils down to which you can use best with whichever works best for your guest.

The hard part is the ask.

You might see someone at a conference and ask if they would be willing to be a guest speaker for 10 minutes at a leader training event you are doing.

Or you might find that a retreat or camp speaker really engages with your students and ask if they would do a a follow-up session with students in a few months virtually.

Could they say “no” or ask what you’ll pay them?

Yes. But…they also could say yes and possibly even do this for free.

The key here is respecting their time and understanding that the more you are asking from them, the more you should expect to pay them for their time and work.

However, beyond guest speakers, keep these tools in mind as options to visit with students or leaders who are in the hospital, have moved away, or are on a mission trip.

You might really help students better understand how to pray for a fellow student or leader as they hear first-hand from that person while they are in the hospital.

I heard of this being a powerful experience for one church as their youth pastor went through chemotherapy.

This also could be a powerful way to allow students to see mission work and build excitement while talking and seeing what’s happening live. (Do keep in mind time zones for these conversations.)

This technology is being used in classrooms and businesses to bring people together in ways we only thought possible through science fiction before now.

There will be some technical difficulties along the way. And you should always have a back-up plan in place in case it doesn’t work.

However, taking advantage of these tools might help you connect your students and/or leaders with others in a way you had only dreamed of before now. So, make your list of dream guests and offer the invitation! Who knows who might accept!?

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