Laura Acosta challenges communicators to prioritize relationships and responsibility in digital evangelism.
April 5, 2026 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News
“When you communicate, you’re not just generating reach—you’re generating responsibility,” said Laura Acosta as she challenged women across the Inter-American Division (IAD) to rethink their approach to content creation in the latest episode of the Creative Disciples series.
Acosta, associate communication director of the South Colombian Union, focused her presentation on a growing gap in digital ministry—the difference between creating content and genuinely evangelizing.
“Many people want to create content, but few want to evangelize,” she said.
From Content to Care
Drawing from real experiences, Acosta shared how simple, honest posts about faith struggles and personal challenges unexpectedly opened the door to deeper conversations.
“People began to write, to open their hearts… saying they were tired, that they didn’t know what to do with their lives,” she explained.
That moment, she said, revealed a critical shift in understanding digital ministry.
“One thing is creating content. Something very different is knowing how to care for the people who come through the content we share,” she said.
This realization led to a central principle: “Evangelizing is not conversing—it is accompanying, walking with people.”
A Shift in Focus
Acosta emphasized that effective evangelism in digital spaces requires moving beyond arguments and quick responses.
“Evangelizing is not winning an argument in the comments,” she said. “It is walking with a person through their process.”
In a fast-paced digital culture driven by immediate reactions, she encouraged communicators to slow down and listen intentionally.
“People have processes, timing, and stories,” she said.
Instead of focusing solely on what to say, she urged creators to consider where they are leading people.
“Content attracts, but it needs direction,” she explained.
Without that direction, she warned, engagement may increase—but transformation will not.
“Without direction, you will have interaction, but not transformation,” she said.
Building Pathways, Not Just Posts
A key emphasis of the episode was the importance of creating clear follow-up pathways for those who engage with content.
“If you create content about anxiety, it cannot end with the post,” Acosta said.
She encouraged ministries to prepare next steps—such as Bible studies, small group invitations, or practical resources—that guide individuals toward deeper engagement.
“There must be a path,” she said.
Acosta also highlighted the importance of structuring digital ministry teams, even in small settings.
“You don’t just need to create content—you need to sustain what you create,” she explained.
Listening with Intention
Another key takeaway centered on the importance of intentional listening.
“One of the most common mistakes on social media is responding too quickly,” Acosta said.
She encouraged women to read messages carefully—not just for content, but for emotion.
“Read each message twice—first to understand what it says, and then to identify what the person feels,” she advised.
Instead of immediate responses, she recommended asking thoughtful questions that open space for conversation and trust.
“Validating is not approving,” she added. “You can recognize someone’s pain without justifying their decisions.”
Creating Safe Digital Communities
Acosta challenged ministries to rethink success metrics in digital evangelism.
“The goal is not to have followers—the goal is to create community,” she said.
She described a process that moves from interaction to relationship: a comment leads to a response, then to a private message, then to resources, follow-up, and eventually connection to a local church.
“That is accompaniment,” she said.
She also highlighted the role of technology in supporting—but not replacing—this process.
“Technology does not replace accompaniment—it facilitates it,” she said.
Redefining Impact
Acosta encouraged leaders to redefine how they measure success in digital ministry.
“We measure likes and comments, but we need to measure people cared for,” she said.
Metrics such as conversations started, follow-ups maintained, and individuals connected to community, she explained, are better indicators of true impact.
To close, Acosta issued a challenge for the week: shift from debating to building relationships. “Start building bridges,” she said.
She encouraged participants to intentionally reconnect with someone they had disagreed with online—not to win an argument, but to show genuine care.
“Sometimes a door opens not by being right, but by showing genuine interest,” she said.
She also challenged communicators to share more authentic, personal experiences. “Show humanity before content,” Acosta said.
A New Approach to Evangelism
As the episode concluded, Acosta summarized her message with a clear reminder:
“Evangelizing is not producing more content—it is caring better for the people who interact with it,” she said.