Digital Prayer Ads Bring Seekers From Screens to Seats at Orosi Church

OROSI, Calif. — Prayer ads on Facebook have done more than collect clicks for Orosi Seventh‑day Adventist Church—they’ve opened Bibles and filled pews. Pastor Daniel Miranda began the Digital Evangelism Prayer Ads with one simple conviction: “if Jesus met people at wells and marketplaces, His church must meet people where they gather today—online.” 

Launching Faith Online

When Pastor Daniel first suggested running prayer ads on Facebook, some members of Orosi Seventh‑day Adventist Church wondered whether digital outreach could bear fruit in their small agricultural town. Yet—supported by conference funding and guidance from the Communication Department—the ads soon routed a wave of prayer requests straight to the church. Within days, the digital missionaries’ phones lit up nonstop with prayer requests—concerns about failing health, strained marriages, financial pressures, and grief. For Daniel, those requests confirmed that in 2025 digital evangelism is no luxury; it is a necessity.

Prayers to Pews

Daniel loves to tell the story of Myra, who clicked on a prayer ad. Battling illness and anxious for her grandson’s future, she submitted prayer requests to Orosi Adventist Church. Daniel assigned her request to one of the church’s digital missionaries, and the two quickly formed a beautiful friendship—Myra had found not a stranger but a sister in Christ. A week later she asked if she could visit Orosi Adventist Church “just to meet the people who were praying for me.” Today she attends weekly Bible studies, is planning her grandson’s dedication, and invites family members to worship—evidence, Daniel says, that she “found the church she’d been looking for.”

Screens to Sanctuary

Daniel shares another story—about José’s family. Grieving the recent loss of both parents, José clicked the Orosi Adventist Church’s Facebook prayer ad and typed a desperate request. “I never expected an answer so quickly,” he later said. Daniel responded at once, prayed with him online, and soon arranged an in‑person visit. Sitting in José’s living room, they opened Scripture, prayed for comfort, and formed a bond that led the entire family to attend Sabbath worship. Church members warmly welcomed them, turning a digital encounter into face‑to‑face fellowship. “I’m so grateful that a conversation online brought us all the way to church,” José reflected.

A Church Re‑Energized

Through the ads, Orosi Adventist Church has become far more visible in the community and has even reconnected with members who had slipped away. “Some who left years ago saw the ads, realized the church is still here, and reached out,” Daniel reports. The project has also ignited fresh missionary passion within the congregation. “They had the desire, and they’ve done wonderful work,” he says. Daniel adds, “Sometimes we think we know who is fit for this work, but that’s God’s decision. I can’t deny the opportunity to anyone willing to serve.” The result? Orosi Adventist Church feels newly energized—its members convinced that when love meets consistency, prayers really can lead people to the pews.

Lessons Learned

What has the team discovered?

1. Simplicity Wins. Basic graphics, clear messaging, and quick, heartfelt replies opened the door to spiritual conversations in the digital space.

2. Every Member Can Serve. Training was minimal; desire to help was enough. “God calls and equips,” Daniel says.

3. Consistency Matters. Follow‑up turns a one‑time prayer into an ongoing friendship.

Daniel’s advice to other churches is direct: pray, start small, listen more than you speak, and record every contact so no one is overlooked. “If you love people and you’re good at making friends,” he says, “digital ministry is for you. Just be consistent.”

A Call to Action

Running ads can be inexpensive—sometimes as little as ten dollars a week—and the reach is vast. Daniel imagines a wave of Central California congregations using similar prayer ads to connect with neighbors and open Bibles across the region. “If our church can move someone from a Facebook scroll to a Bible study and a seat in the sanctuary,” he says, “imagine what God can do through dozens of churches that choose to press ‘Post’ for His kingdom.”

By Bryan Bong