Power of the Share Button

In November 2017, we announced the various ways that Saddleback’s Social Media Team is interconnecting our growing fellowship through new technologies. From YouTube to Facebook LIVE events, these communication tools increase our online community — and fill God’s house — and engage more people with important topics ranging from sexual abuse to reconciliation.

Recently Saddleback reached 105,000 subscribers on our Youtube channel, a major milestone in reaching the community for Christ. In January and February alone, each Facebook LIVE event averaged 60,000 views. Online guests included Kay Warren on healing for harassment victims, Christine Caine on sexual abuse, Derwin Gray on race and diversity, and Latasha Morrison on reconciliation.

Minute-by-minute, more people watched the live stream of these powerful interviews, and shared content with their own followers along the way.

According to Haley Veturis, Saddleback’s Social Media Manager, “Facebook LIVE will play a crucial role in our weekly social strategy. We’ll have the opportunity to dive deeper into the message and explore topics inspired by the weekend teaching, providing our community with an opportunity to interact and participate in a larger conversation.”

Since January 20th, the Social Media Team has actively hosted weekly Facebook LIVE events related to the sermon topic. The ultimate goal is to encourage our online community to live out the values covered in the weekend teaching. Not only does Facebook LIVE help connect followers, but it also provides a platform for engagement, interaction, and participation. 

Momentum really started to grow during Saddleback’s recent series, “Loving Like Jesus in a Fractured World.” Unlike live services at our Lake Forest campus, Facebook LIVE events allow viewers to submit questions to those being interviewed. These online discussions with ministry leaders encourage two-way conversations and give viewers a platform to process and discuss what they’ve learned.

Currently the Social Media Team is planning Facebook LIVE events scheduled around our new series, “Choosing Your Future.” This five-week topic will prepare our members for the 2018 spiritual growth campaign, “Doors to Your Destiny” beginning at Easter.

“We have some fun things lined up for #EasteratSaddleback,” says Haley. “Ideally, we’d love for everyone to follow us on Instagram, Youtube, and Facebook so they don’t miss a single Facebook LIVE event.”

Haley is thrilled with the growing numbers of viewers, but says the key to maximizing a tool like Facebook LIVE is the share button. “Just one click may be the single thing a person needs to hear or see that day,” she adds. “Our willingness to share could alter a day, or even a life for someone.”

Join the discussion at Instagram @SaddlebackChurch, Facebook.com/saddlebackchurch, and Youtube at youtube.com/saddlebackchurch.