Kevin Wilson, Chai Tea, and the Rise of Christian TikTok

This week, Heather visits with Kevin Spencer Wilson, known online to his throng of followers as “Cross Culture Christian.” Kevin was born in Sri Lanka and moved to the Sultanate of Oman when he was 12. Over the past 30 years, he has learned to speak three and a half languages and has traveled to 13 countries. He is currently a youth pastor in Oceanside, California, where he says he attempts to help his tribe think meaningfully about their lives so they can live their lives meaningfully.  Heather and Kevin discuss his explosive growth on TikTok (more than 200,000 followers in less than two years). This conversation will help you understand what it means to be a Christian content creator as well as how to bring yourself authentically to your content. Kevin has been exceptionally successful at thinking about what makes you who you are and trying to build bridges through celebrating what brings us together rather than what separates us. Kevin is practicing digital evangelism in a way he never thought possible—by conversationally sharing spiritual concepts with his audience as he makes a cup of chai tea, a symbol of hospitality deeply connected to his life in Sri Lanka. Find Kevin on TikTok @crossculturechristian. Also, in this week’s #GrowingViral segment, we highlight the Pocket Pulpit podcast. Hosted by Sarah Kinzer and Hector Martinez, Pocket Pulpit explores questions surrounding social media ministry. What is it, and how do you do it effectively? If you love Viral Jesus, you will love Pocket Pulpit, too. Find Sarah and Hector on Twitter @kinzer_sarah and @seatexhex. Reach out to Heather at heatherthompsonday.com, on Twitter @HeatherTDay, and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday. Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today Host and creator: Heather Thompson Day                                          Producer: Loren Joseph Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices