The Unexpected Answer to Prayer

I sat in a coffee shop in Heidelberg and opened my laptop. As I opened Notion to start my brainstorming session, I already knew what I had to do. There was no messing around; I needed to make content.

As I drafted that first Kanban board and painted a picture in my mind, I realised that I’d finally found exactly what I'd ever wanted. Of course, it was fantastic to be married and in a wonderful church, but I’d always felt a little out of place. This dream was all I could have ever imagined bundled in a digital service. I would be able to script, film, design and edit. All this would be nothing if I didn’t have the core element that connected all these aspects - my faith.

Now that I had a vision and a dream, I typed out the words “YouTube channel”. It felt weird at first but once I started writing a few ideas down, I realised this was my creative outlet God had given me. It was my dream.

But nothing prepared me for the challenges ahead. After just 4 videos, I started feeling the drag. No views. No comments. No feedback. It was like I was making art in the desert with no audience. That’s when I stumbled upon the Part Time YouTuber Academy by Ali Abdaal. He taught part-time creators to grow and stay consistent at the craft. I wanted that course really bad, but there was a problem - it was priced at 1000$ - money I really don’t have.

After searching the website, I came across a scholarship option that allowed a few lucky people to get free access to the course if they submitted a 2-minute video explaining why they’d be a good fit for the programme. I prayed and then went about filming this application video. Looking back at it, I cringe, but at the time, I was really happy with it.

So I submit my application. The first week passes. The second week passes. Then the third week passes. I started giving up hope. They’ve found a more fitting character, a different person who is more worthy of the scholarship. My hopes fade.

I sat on the couch after work and opened my email. “Scholarship application” it reads. My hands tremble as I hastily open the email and start reading.

Dear Chris,

Thank you for your application for a scholarship.

We’d love to offer you a full scholarship for the Part-Time YouTuber Academy.

Here is your unique code.

Enjoy the course content.

Yours,

Team Ali Abdaal.

I could not believe my eyes! They picked me! I danced around the room, throwing fists into the air and then started with the online course. I praised God a lot that week. This was the answer to my prayers. HE was saying, “You got this, Chris, make content for me”.

This was in July/ August 2023.

Two years later, and I still have a lot to learn. But I’m still on YouTube trying to change people’s lives. I believe transformation is possible from the Bible and with God and his son Jesus.

If you want to chat, I’m always here for you.

Until next time,

Chris