What made you start chaseGodtv?
I used to write blogs online and there was so much more I wanted to say but I knew not as many people would read them if they were long. So, I figured I’d just make videos on the topic. At first I wanted to make videos just sitting in front of my laptop webcam, but I thought that maybe I should consider making some quality videos since I already I had the skillset for it. So instead of just making videos the moment the idea came to me, I planned and wrote out a few webisodes and launched the first video in June of 2012.
What is your process for making videos?
I simply write out the videos like a paper. Each webisode is usually at least 2 or 3 pages single-spaced. I then have several people proof-read them, and then I record. I do the recording and editing alone. Here’s a behind the scenes video:
I’m trying to get more views for my YouTube channel. Any advice?
In all sincerity, I have no clue. I mean I do, but I don’t. I didn’t have an online strategy. I didn’t buy twitter followers or YouTube views (Yes, it happens! Weird.). I didn’t try to push my videos to big-name people or companies. I didn’t really know much at all about how to get more YouTube views or build a big following online. I just knew 1. how to make decent quality videos, 2. I had a message I wanted to share, and 3. I ran with it. It all came down to word of mouth. I simply tweeted the videos and posted them on my Facebook and people kept sharing them. So my advice is rather than searching how to get more views, consider more importantly how you’re glorifying God through it. Ultimately, God decides how big or how small our audience will be. We should be content with what He decides.
Are you a full-time pastor?
I am not. However, I have recently committed full-time to developing chaseGodtv, and traveling doing speaking, poetry, and music engagements. I would love to come visit you. Just click the booking link.
Can you give me some personal advice about…?
I get a lot of e-mails from viewers asking for advice on specific situations in their life. While I would love to sit down and build relationships with each of you and give tailored advice based on what I know about you, time doesn’t allow. Though I appreciate that you would trust that I could give you godly wisdom for a particular time in your life, I don’t believe I’m always the best choice. The videos I make are pretty general and I try to make them appeal to a wide range of people in hopes that they will spark conversation among community of believers. Seeking specific spiritual guidance in your personal life, such as in relationships, I strongly believe are best handled among church leadership and community of close Christian friends, after seeking God himself in prayer and in His word. This Christian life is not meant to lived out alone, and a guy on a computer screen is not going to be able to know you and tend to you like your local body of believers can.
Do you take video topic requests?
I typically don’t. I have a pretty clear direction that I’m wanting to take with chaseGodtv, yet lately I’ve only been able to put out one or two videos a month. So I have to use those opportunities wisely. If I were able to put out videos more frequently, then that might be possible. Also, contrary to popular belief, I’m by no means a Bible-guru lol. So I will humbly admit that I don’t have sufficient answers for ALL questions. When it comes to choosing topics, I usually try to go for what I know, things that I’ve already studied before. That is what has seemed to work so far.
How would I go about booking Joe to speak at an event?
I love how the virtual wall of the internet is taken down when people who have seen my videos decide to bring me out to an event and it’s real life interaction. If you’re strongly considering having me come to an event you’re planning, please e-mail click “Booking” at the top of the page and fill out the speaking request form. For more information, just send an e-mail.
Hi Joe,
I hope this is the right way to contact you. I’m senior pastor of Goodwill (EPc) in MOntgomery, NY. We currently have two sites (working on three) with live preachers at each one, but we preach the same text and use the same videos/keynote presentations. We’re Preaching 2nd Corinthians 6 next week and would love to use all or some of your video on being “Unequally Yoked.” IS this OK? No worries if not. Happy to pay something for it. It’ll reach 1 to 2 thousand at least, when all is said and done. LEt me know if it’s “yes.” IF I hear nothing, I’ll assume it’s no.
Also, After seeing that you were at RTS, I seriously started wondering what it would take to ordain and install you here as a pastor after you graduate. IF you were the pastor-preacher for something like the branch we want to start in Newburgh, NY in 2015, could this somehow increase and deepen the reach of “chasegod.tv?” Many of the teachers it looks like we both admire have ministries rooted by God in a physical pulpit at a local church. ANyway, I’m Grateful to God for your pastoral clarity and heart for the Gospel. If nothing else, let my video request/message be an encouragement, one of many I’m sure.
Thanks again and God bless,
John torres
this is a long shot, but someone on our creative team just sent me a video of a spoken word piece you did on doubt. we just launched a ministry to millennials in dc called “citywide.” on thursday, Oct. 23 (next thurs), we’re doing an event and the topic is doubt. any chance you’re in or near dc that week? if so, we’d love to have you come and we would pay an honorarium. if you won’t be nearby, no sweat. we’d love to have you come for an event in the future.