Church families all over the world may currently be separated and unable to gather together due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but that doesn’t mean that congregations can’t still connect. Through the technology of video calls, you can easily stay in touch with your friends from church during quarantine.
Here’s how you can use FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, and Zoom to make video calls with your small group for a time for fellowship, Bible study, or just fun.
We think you’ll be surprised by how much joy it will bring when you see each other “face to face” and check-in during this difficult season.
Using FaceTime:
To use Group FaceTime video calls, all users will need iOS 12.1.4 or iPadOS on one of these devices: iPhone 6s or later, iPad Pro or later, iPad Air 2 or later, iPad mini 4 or later, iPad (5th generation) or later, or iPod touch (7th generation). Earlier models of iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch that support iOS 12.1.4 can join Group FaceTime calls as audio participants.
To make a call from the FaceTime app…
1. Go to Settings > FaceTime, and make sure that FaceTime is on.
2. Open the FaceTime app and tap the plus button in the top-right corner.
3. Enter the name of your contacts, phone numbers, or emails.
4. To start your FaceTime call, tap Video.
To make a call from the Messages app…
In a group conversation in Messages, you can start Group FaceTime right from the group conversation. Follow these steps:
1. Open Messages and start a group conversation. Or go to an existing group conversation.
2. Tap the contacts at the top of the group conversation.
3. Tap FaceTime, then start your call.
Using Facebook Messenger:
To use Facebook Messenger video calls, all users will need a Facebook account, plus a computer (PC, Mac, or Chromebook) with Google Chrome or a smartphone (iPhone or Android) with the Facebook Messenger app.
To make a call from a computer…
1. Navigate to Facebook.com and log in. Click on the Messenger icon located in the top right corner of the page. A drop-down will appear. From this menu, selected “New Group.”
2. Choose everyone from your friend’s list that you want to add to the call. You also have the option to name this group. Once you have selected everyone, tap “Create.” This will open a new group message window at the bottom of your page.
3. To start the video call, look to the top right-hand corner of the message window. Click the icon that looks like a video camera. You may have to go through a relatively quick setup screen or two to make sure your computer is ready. Then you are ready to go.
To make a call from a smartphone…
1. Launch the Facebook Messenger app, then tap the pencil icon in the top right corner to start a new message.
2. Choose everyone from your friend’s list that you want to add to the call. Once you have selected everyone, tap “Done.” This will open a new group message window.
3. Tap the video camera icon located in the top right corner to start your call.
Using Zoom:
Zoom requires one free or paid account to be set up by the video call host. Free plans can host video calls up to 40 minutes. This number is expanded with their paid versions. Participants can join in by downloading the full Zoom application on their computers or smartphone, or just by quickly downloading and installing “Zoom Client” as prompted when they receive a video call invitation.
To make a call from a computer…
1. If you do not have the Zoom application installed, navigate to Zoom.us, select “sign up” to get started, then select “Host a Meeting” to begin the installation.
2. Open your Zoom app on your desktop and click Sign In.
3. Click the downward arrow and select Start with video, then click New Meeting to start an instant meeting.
4. During a meeting, you can invite people to join the conference by clicking on “invite” tab in your meeting controls. Once you click invite, you can choose the option to Invite by Email or by IM. Another easy option is to click “Copy URL” or “Copy Invitation” in the share window. You can then paste the instructions for other users anywhere you like.
5. Users should then following the instructions from their invitations and links to log on from their computers or smartphones.
To make a call from a smartphone…
1. If you do not have the Zoom app installed, start by downloading it in the App Store.
2. Once downloaded, open the app. Select “sign up” to create an account.
3. Tap “New Meeting” to create a new video meeting.
4. During a meeting, you can invite people to join the call by clicking on the “Participants” tab at the bottom. Click “invite,” you can choose the option to Invite by Email or by IM. Another easy option is to click “Copy URL” or “Copy Invitation” in the share window. You can then paste the instructions for other users anywhere you like.
5. Users should then following the instructions from their invitations and links to log on from their computers or smartphones.
Encourage Your Church Family To Try This
Social graphics like this are a great way to get the word out for your church to connect through video chats in this season. Church Motion Graphics offers a large collection of scroll-stopping images that are easy to download and share. Or, you can take it a step further by customizing them with the included Photoshop files or with CMG Editor. These social graphics can be purchased individually, or you can join a CMG Premium Subscription to gain unlimited access.
See More Small Group Graphics
