St. Matthew, Sonora Expands Reach with Video Projects

With a growing array of digital tools at their disposal, churches can now extend their reach far beyond their physical walls; into surrounding communities and across the globe.

“Most people who come into your church have already watched you online,” said Pastor Tom Sharpe, emphasizing the importance of meeting people where they are.

At St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Pastor Sharpe has taken an intentional approach to digital ministry, focusing on three practical initiatives designed to engage both newcomers and long-time members.

For the Curious consists of two- to three-minute videos that explore a wide range of faith-related topics for those new to Christianity or simply seeking to learn more. Pastor Sharpe aims to post two videos each week, with a long-term goal of building a library of 1,000 short reflections. “If you are curious about Jesus, we have a short snippet for you,” he said.

Conversations for the Curious features 15-minute conversations with members of the congregation, focusing on how God has worked in their lives. The series also provides an opportunity for members to participate directly in ministry. “We’ve had 19 people share their faith stories so far,” Pastor Sharpe said.

Sunday Invitation emerged after the church decided to stop livestreaming its Sunday services. Instead, Pastor Sharpe now records a short preview of the upcoming sermon each Friday. The video offers a condensed message while also serving as an invitation to attend worship in person that weekend.

While some of these ideas were taking shape before COVID-19, the pandemic accelerated their implementation beginning in March 2020. Through this digital strategy, the church now views its mission field in two zones: those within 50 miles of Sonora, and everyone else around the world. As a result, their online reach has extended to places such as Iceland, Ukraine, and Turkey.

This expanded digital presence has also supported the growth of church programs, including Children’s Corner, Stephen Ministry, and prayer partners, which now connect more than 4,000 people.