The Threads Post That Sparked a Fire

Written By Jasmine Chenice

Earlier this week, I posted something on Threads that went semi-viral. It was one of those “off-the-cuff” posts you write while sitting in your car with Chick-fil-A fries in one hand and righteous indignation in the other. The post simply said:

“The Christian Influencer community is getting weird.”

That’s it. No context. No explanation. Just a one-liner that had people in their feelings.

Now, here’s the thing: apparently, a lot of people agreed. My post opened up an incredible dialogue with folks asking really good questions about what we’re doing with this space called “Christian influence.” But as always, it wasn’t all kumbaya.

I’ll admit, the rapid response surprised me. But as I reflected, I realized two things:

  1. I had unintentionally struck a nerve in the Christian content-creator community.

  2. I was disobedient: God told me to write about this topic over a month ago—but instead of writing the thoughtful, Spirit-led blog post He nudged me to create, I opted for a snappy Threads post out of frustration. And while it “hit,” it wasn’t the whole truth He wanted me to share.

So here I am, pulling up my big-girl pants, doing what I should’ve done in the first place: digging into the real conversation about Christian influence versus Kingdom ambassadorship.

The Rise of the Christian Influencer

Let me start by saying: I absolutely LOVE seeing people use their platforms to glorify God. When I first started creating faith-based content back in 2018, it wasn’t nearly as common as it is today. At that time, I was podcasting, hosting a retreat for millennial Christian entrepreneurs, and simply trying to stay obedient while transparently sharing my journey. Fast forward to 2024, and the landscape has completely shifted—there are so many more people stepping into this space, and faith-based content has become more of a “vibe” than I ever could have imagined (I love that for us).

But here’s where things start to get a little… weird.

As the “Christian influencer” space has grown, it’s started to mirror the secular influencer world a bit too much. And by that, I mean it’s often less about impact and more about metrics. People are chasing likes, engagement, and brand deals in the name of Jesus, but sometimes the message gets lost in all the sauce.

Influencer vs. Ambassador: What’s the Difference?

Here’s the analogy and revelation God gave me that changed my perspective:

  • Influencers: Think of them as people holding up shiny objects and saying, “You should buy this!” The goal? Trust me enough to click my link. But let’s be real—we don’t always know if influencers actually use what they promote or if it’s just for the paycheck.

  • Ambassadors: Now, a brand ambassador is different. Ambassadors live and breathe the values of the brand they represent. They don’t just promote a product—they embody it. Their lifestyle aligns with the brand’s mission, and that alignment is what makes their endorsement trustworthy.

So, when we think about being a “Christian influencer,” the question is: are we just pushing content for clicks, or are we living as ambassadors of God’s Kingdom who are really about this life?

The Problematic Areas in Christian Influence

Let me get specific here. If you’re a Christian content creator, coach/mentor, or entrepreneur, I want you to consider this:

  1. Is Your Content Pointing Back to God?
    It’s easy to create content that’s motivational, funny, or aesthetic, but is it rooted in Kingdom principles? (more on this another time)

  2. Are You Living the Life You’re Preaching?
    Transparency and honesty have always been my thing. But being transparent doesn’t mean we stop striving for holiness. Your platform should reflect your walk—not a walk you’re pretending to have for the sake of engagement.

  3. Are You Focused on Influence or Impact?
    Influence is fleeting. Impact is eternal. When you’re creating content, ask yourself: Is this for me, or is this for God’s Kingdom?

  4. Are You Prioritizing Metrics Over Mission?
    It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers, but God’s math doesn’t work like ours. A post that changes one life is more valuable in His eyes than one that racks up 100,000 views but no true impact.

A Word of Encouragement

I get it—this space can feel scary. There are people who are quick to criticize, quick to cancel, and quick to call you out. But remember this: you’re not called to please people; you’re called to serve God.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the weight of being a “Christian influencer,” I encourage you to step back and ask God:

  • Who am I called to serve?

  • How can I use my platform to build Your Kingdom, not just my brand?

  • Am I living as an influencer or an ambassador?

Let’s Open the Conversation

This isn’t about throwing shade or pointing fingers. It’s about having a real, honest dialogue about how we, as Christian content creators and entrepreneurs, can do better. It’s about stepping into the calling of Kingdom ambassadorship—not just Christian influence.

I’ll be writing more about this in the coming weeks, diving deeper into practical strategies for creating impact-driven content and basically how to not be weird. But for now, I want you to reflect. Ask yourself the hard questions. And most importantly, walk the walk you talk about.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about how many people follow you—it’s about how many people see Christ through you.

Here’s one last spicy question to chew on: Are you genuinely living as a kingdom citizen, or are you just out here in a costume, playing church for the entertainment value? Don’t leave me hanging—drop your thoughts and reactions in the comments below!

Love you bye.

Jasmine Chenice
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Reaching Who God Called You to Serve in the Marketplace