
I never thought I’d be writing this blog post. Yet, as I sit here reflecting on everything that’s been happening in my life, especially in the ministry world, it’s clear to me that I need to make some changes. Over the past several years, I’ve poured myself into social media, YouTube, and public ministry, sharing my story, my faith, and my journey—most notably, my journey of walking away from a homosexual lifestyle to follow Jesus. But after all the highs and lows, the victories and disappointments, I find myself at a crossroads. It’s time for a shift, a reevaluation of what it means to be a Christian influencer in today’s world.
Let me explain why.
The Struggles with Christian Influencing
When I began sharing my story on YouTube, it was from a place of genuine desire to help others. I felt like there was a need for people to hear about someone who had walked away from the lifestyle I had been living and found freedom in Christ. I wanted to be a light in the darkness for people who were lost and confused, just like I had once been. But as I started gaining traction online, I began to see that ministry through social media wasn’t as simple as I had imagined.
For example, I remember when I first made my video about overcoming same-sex attraction. That video blew up, and I found myself suddenly receiving messages from people all over the world. It felt incredible at first. These were people who were saying, "Your story changed my life," and "You gave me hope." I was on top of the world. But as time went on, I began to feel a sense of pressure that I hadn’t anticipated. The pressure to create more content, the pressure to get more views, and the pressure to maintain my platform. It started to feel like my ministry was becoming more about numbers—views, likes, and comments—than about reaching souls.
I remember one specific conversation I had with a follower who told me that my video had helped them come out of a life of sin and find freedom in Jesus. They were genuinely grateful, but something about it felt off. It was like I had become a tool for their spiritual journey, rather than walking alongside them in a meaningful way. It hit me that my ministry had become transactional, not relational.
In some ways, social media can become a trap. You start out wanting to help, but eventually, the machine of content creation takes over. And at that point, it’s easy to get lost in the noise.
The Shift in My Beliefs
As I’ve spent more time in prayer, Bible study, and reflection, I’ve come to realize that my understanding of ministry was evolving. I began to see that the world of Christian influence can sometimes focus more on the fame and success of the person delivering the message than on the actual message of Christ itself. And frankly, it was disheartening.
I’ll never forget the day I attended a major Christian influencer conference. It was supposed to be a time of encouragement and growth, but what I saw behind the scenes shook me. People were more focused on securing brand deals, selling merch, and networking than on discussing the Word of God. People who had once inspired me were now more concerned about their next endorsement than about the message of the Gospel. And it made me question the whole system I was part of.
One particular moment stands out: I had a conversation with a well-known influencer who had millions of followers. We were talking about ministry, and they said to me, "Look, if you’re not growing, you’re dying. You need to constantly be pushing new content, constantly be expanding your reach." At first, I thought they were speaking from a place of wisdom. But as I reflected on it, I realized that the message was all about growth for the sake of growth. There was no mention of depth, no mention of serving others, no mention of true discipleship.
This moment was a turning point for me. I realized that true ministry, true discipleship, is not about how many people follow you—it’s about how many people you are impacting with the love and truth of Christ. And that’s when I began to rethink the role of fame and success in ministry.
The Dangers of Fame and Money in Ministry
One of the most painful things I’ve witnessed in the Christian influencer world is the way money and fame can distort the true message of the Gospel. I’ve seen pastors and influencers who preach about Jesus on stage, but behind the scenes, they’re more concerned about their status, their bank accounts, and their personal agendas. I’ve seen people who claim to follow Christ, but their actions don’t line up with His teachings.
I remember being approached by an influencer who offered to help me "grow my brand." They said, “We can get you a sponsor that will pay you hundreds of thousands of dollars. All you need to do is stay true to your message.” But when I pressed them about their own faith, about how they lived outside of social media, their answer was less than inspiring. It was clear to me that their faith was secondary to the money, the fame, and the business they were building.
This wasn’t just about flashy conferences or high-paying brand deals. It was about the general attitude that if you weren’t famous or influential, you didn’t matter. I’ve had people tell me that my ministry wasn’t "successful" because I didn’t have the platform or the following that others did. And that’s when I realized something crucial: God does not measure success by follower counts or financial gain. He measures it by our faithfulness to His calling.
A Call to Discipleship, Not Popularity
This has been a huge revelation for me. Jesus didn’t call us to be influencers. He didn’t call us to be famous. He called us to be disciples who make disciples. I’ve realized that the more I focus on building my platform, the more I’m missing the point of true ministry.
There’s a verse in the Bible that’s been resonating with me lately: "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few" (Matthew 9:37). And I’ve started to wonder—am I really laboring for the Kingdom? Or am I just trying to be seen?
I’ve come to understand that true ministry happens when you’re deeply invested in the lives of people. It’s about walking with them in their struggles, helping them grow in their faith, and being there when they need you most. I think about the people who have impacted my life—not the influencers with millions of followers—but the quiet, faithful mentors who have walked alongside me, prayed for me, and helped me grow in my walk with Jesus.
I want to be that person for others. I don’t want to be known for how many views my videos get or how many likes my posts receive. I want to be known for my character, my integrity, and my love for people.
Reaching People Beyond the Screen
It’s not that I’m abandoning social media altogether. I still believe in using these platforms for good, to share the Gospel and encourage others. But I’m recognizing that there’s more to ministry than simply posting content online. True ministry happens in the trenches, in real relationships, in face-to-face encounters.
I remember a few months ago, I sat down with a young man who had been following my journey online. He told me he was struggling with his faith, feeling disconnected from God, and unsure of where he belonged. We talked for hours, prayed together, and I could see the transformation in him. It wasn’t something that happened through a video or a post—it happened through a personal, one-on-one interaction. That’s the kind of ministry I want to focus on.
In the coming months, I’ll be shifting my focus to in-person ministry. I want to spend more time in local communities, building relationships with people face-to-face. I’ll be focusing on Bible studies, small groups, and personal discipleship. I want to help people grow in their faith and walk alongside them in their journey, just as others have done for me.
What’s Next for My Ministry?
I know some of you may be wondering what this means for the future of my ministry. Will I still be posting online? Will I still be sharing my story? Yes, but in a different way. I want to focus on quality over quantity, depth over visibility. I’ll be writing a book, creating content that truly matters, and focusing on small, meaningful interactions rather than chasing viral trends.
Most importantly, I want to be faithful to God’s calling, not to the pursuit of fame or success. This is about serving others, making disciples, and helping people grow in their faith. If I can do that, I will consider my ministry a success, regardless of how many followers I have.
Conclusion
Thank you for being part of this journey with me. I’m excited to see where God takes me next, and I hope you’ll continue to walk alongside me in this new chapter. Whether through my blog, my book, or in-person connections, I’m ready to focus on what truly matters—building relationships, making disciples, and serving God with all my heart.
God bless,Samuel Abraham Perez
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