I walked through the doors of Resurrection MCC for the first time in 2003. I had no idea then how deeply woven this church would become into my life. Over the years, I have served in more roles than I can count, from Lay Delegate to Sunday School teacher for eight faithful and lively years. That period alone taught me two things. First, the Spirit has a sense of humor, especially when glitter is involved. Second, ministry is never static. It grows, stretches, and reshapes itself as the world around us changes.
That truth became impossible to ignore in 2020. Just weeks before the global shutdown, research firm Barna reported that “online church” ranked dead last among the concerns of congregational leaders. Three weeks later, every church door on earth was closed, and online ministry was no longer optional. It exposed something many still struggle to understand even now. Social media and digital platforms are not casual add-ons. They are serious, measurable tools for growth, outreach, and discipleship, and their impact can no longer be denied. For those who feel unsure or unfamiliar with the digital piece of our ministry, we can fix that. I plan to offer another orientation of our Digital Discipleship series in early 2026, so our congregation can learn, engage, and participate with confidence.
As someone who had already spent years in digital communication, I knew this shift was not temporary. It was a new frontier. It was also an invitation.
In 2022, I created a course of study titled From Social Media to Social Ministry, based on the groundbreaking work of Nona Jones, who was then serving as Head of Global Faith-Based Partnerships at Facebook. Her message was simple. Technology is not the enemy of faith. It is the new road by which faith travels. This course became the foundation for what would grow into Resurrection MCC’s Online Communities, a ministry designed not to replace the in-person church experience but to extend it, strengthen it, and meet people exactly where life has placed them.
The impact has been remarkable.
Our online services are now professionally recorded, produced, and shared on YouTube, the second-largest search engine in the world. That matters. It means that our messages of hope, justice, healing, and inclusion can reach people who will never step foot inside our physical building, yet desperately need what this church offers. We now have the ability to reach thousands organically, and with a dedicated ad strategy, our potential for visibility increases exponentially.
Digital ministry is not just Sunday worship. It is the heartbeat of a community that gathers in many ways. To find these programs, head over to the church app and sign up!
Each Sunday, our livestream is shepherded with care by Sandy Hardwick-Pettis in Costa Rica, our Online Moderator, who faithfully welcomes, engages, and prays with the 40 to 50 regular viewers who join us across states and borders. She anchors the online sanctuary with warmth and consistency, ensuring that no one worships alone.
On Wednesday evenings, Rev. Vicki Sheil-Hopper and Cathleen Sheil-Hopper lead thoughtful book studies for queer folks seeking deeper reflection. These gatherings create space for questions, conversation, and spiritual grounding that many have never been allowed to experience elsewhere.
Every day, our Virtual Church Pastor, Rev. Dr. Carol Kiesling of Taos, New Mexico, curates a devotional that reaches across time zones and households. Carol partnered with me back in 2022 to bring breath and spirit into this ministry, and she continues to shepherd our online flock with profound care.
She also facilitates GODTalk, our weekly open-mic conversation series that has now crossed 112 episodes. Every Wednesday at 6:30 pm CST, people gather online to talk about news, history, and lived realities affecting LGBTQIA+ and queer people. These discussions are honest, heartfelt, and often healing. You can watch any of the conversations HERE: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDnLJ6BtBsno00OVNzi_NgUs0UHD3NKqS&si=3S2UPzuN8Ls4pPQT
Today our online presence includes our website, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, along with the international reach of La Casa de Todos. We now have more than 10,000 direct followers, and our overall visibility extends far beyond that. The truth is simple. People are already watching. Many more are seeking. And countless others would join us tomorrow if they knew we existed.
This is where the practical reality comes in.
We have vision. We have opportunity. We have momentum.
What we do not yet have is a dedicated digital ministry budget.
Today, our resources are allocated on an “as needed” basis. That model limits what we can build. A planned and intentional budget would allow us to optimize our content for reach, invest in targeted advertising, expand our programming, and invite more people into a faith community that welcomes them fully.
There are people who are unchurched, people who have been cast aside by their former religious communities, people who cannot attend in person due to illness or mobility, and people who need a flexible way to stay connected to their spiritual lives. They are willing participants in faith. They just do not know about us yet.
Before I close, I want to thank the people who make online ministry possible. Rev. Vicki Sheil-Hopper, Rev. Dr. Carol Kiesling, and Sandy Hardwick-Pettis have been steadfast in their leadership, hospitality, and pastoral presence. Our AV and Tech Team — Ken Thompson, Taylor Cotto, Connie Wright, led faithfully by Leon Moody, supported by Director of Worship Arts, Cassandra Hubbard-White, and Rev. Mona Lopez — are the backbone of everything we produce. Their commitment, skill, and patience are the seeds that make this ministry flourish. Please reach out to them with your appreciation and thanks.
If you feel called to help us build the future of online ministry at Resurrection MCC, I invite you to join me. We are organizing a renewed Online Ministry Team for the year ahead, and we need your gifts. Your time, your creativity, your insight, and your passion for outreach can help shape what comes next.
Email me at Suzette@resurrectionmcc.org and let me know how you would like to serve.
We are charting new waters, Resurrection. Who’s with me?
To God be the glory,
Suzette Cotto
Online Ministry and Communications
Suzette@ResurrecitonMCC.org
View Last Sunday’s Service HERE