Kirby Kelly is a speaker, writer and podcast host of “Bought + Beloved.” She seeks to teach the Bible to the next generation. 

PEER: When did you start following Jesus? 

KIRBY KELLY: I committed my life to follow Jesus when I was 14 years old. While attending a Christian summer camp over in Van, Texas, I had a radical encounter with God on a random Wednesday night worship session. After going through the divorce of my parents, the loss of my father from alcoholism, bullying and an ongoing battle with suicidal thoughts and self-harm, I heard God speak to my heart. He showed me how even in all of my suffering, He was there for me and fighting on my behalf in ways I never realized. On top of that, He freed me from the constraints of people-pleasing, depression and self-loathing, giving me a spirit of joy and a zeal to make His love and grace known through the Gospel message. It was right after that that I really began posting content online with a purpose, and that is still happening even so many years later. 

P: Why did you start creating content online? 

KK: Social media today is not like how it was when I first started posting on it. At first, I used social media just to connect with friends, make funny content and create videos with the hopes of getting discovered since my dream in life was to become an actress. It’s so interesting to look back at how God used my love for entertainment, making people laugh and communicating to develop me into a better preacher. It’s beautiful to see how initial talents, dreams and desires were able to be used for a greater purpose in making my social media about His name and fame over my own. Maybe acting is still a part of His will for my life one day, but I am just grateful He used those initial desires to develop me into the disciple-maker I am today! 

P: What is the heart behind your podcast, Bought + Beloved? 

KK: My podcast, “Bought + Beloved,” is all about diving deep into the Word of God through thoughtful conversations that explore the context and truth of Scripture. There is such a hunger for discipleship out there, and although I cannot mentor everyone, I see this platform as a way to preach the truth, answer hard and honest questions and guide people in how to live their lives the way Christ calls us to. Even the title of it conveys the truth of our identity and relationship with God; bought by the blood of Jesus because we are His beloved. I pray it encourages people in their faith journey and spurs them on to know more about God and how they can intimately and intentionally pursue Him. 

P: Why is relational evangelism important, not just for the spread of the gospel, but for Christians? 

KK: As much as I love the mission field of online ministry and media, relational evangelism is just as important. We all have real people, present communities surrounding us that we interact with daily and who see us aside from the highlight reels online. I think that is where the most powerful evangelism moments happen because of the relational equity you develop with people. As they see you live your life and interact with you as you exemplify Christ in all you do, it presents an organic and easy way to share the Gospel. Whereas a person might scroll past a video about Jesus, they cannot ignore the Holy Spirit at work within you from across the classroom, office or recreational gathering. 

P: How can Gen Z Christians share the Gospel with their peers? 

KK: Sharing the Gospel does not have to look like reciting all of the “Romans Road” to your friends and strangers. Sure, I believe there will be moments when we are called to boldly proclaim the Gospel and share it on the spot with strangers at face value. However, I think many of us overlook how Christ built real relationships with people and met them where they were at. As we meet people’s needs, find commonalities, show genuine regard and love for them and show up when others don’t, that creates a safe space for us to explain the Gospel and to answer their genuine questions. Gen Z is also the most versed when it comes to the online space! If anyone feels skilled with a phone and has the desire to preach, do what I did. Grab a camera, or a phone, and just start posting about Jesus and what He did for you! Your testimony is a testament to His glory! 

P: Do you have any advice for Gen Z Christians who want to share their faith online?

KK: Lead with your testimony! If you do not feel confident enough to preach on specific verses and answer hard questions yet, share what God did in your life. Nobody can deny that or take that away from you. But if you do feel called to teach and preach online, make sure you spend more time offline studying the Scriptures, understanding the context of the Bible and the culture, and surround yourself with sound teachers and mentors who can help you to be a well-versed communicator. Speak the truth in love with understanding and gentleness because there is a hurting world on the other side of that screen. 

P: What advice do you have for Gen Z Christians who may be struggling with their mental health? 

KK: As someone who has struggled with mental health before coming to know Christ and even as a Christian, I don’t want you to be discouraged. Your feelings are not evil and should not be ignored. Your experiences, trauma, hurt, and frustrations should not be hidden. It is in the light that we can begin to heal and implement the truth of God’s Word into our everyday life. Sometimes it happens in an instant, other times it takes time. All I know is that when I was in that pit, I made an active choice to notify my community, talk about where I was at, speak to a trusted Christian counselor and pastor, and get in the Word of God like crazy; I even recommend checking out “Stay Here” by my friend Jacob Coyne as a resource if you have nobody to talk to. Jesus understands our emotions, and He is not afraid or challenged by them. He will faithfully and gently console you and walk with you. 

P: What are you currently reading? 

KK: I just finished reading my friend Matt Brown’s book called, “Truth Plus Love,” and it is all about influencing like Jesus. It was such a good read and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to be a better and more thoughtful communicator of the Gospel. I also got done reading my friend Tara Sun’s book called “Surrender Your Story,” and it’s all about how to submit your desire for control into God’s hands and how to trust and know His plans for you!

P: What are you listening to? 

KK: Podcast-wise, I have been loving Mike Winger’s “BibleThinker” Podcast! He is one of my theologian inspirations and I highly recommend him to everyone for sound teaching. Music-wise, I have been jamming out to my church’s new Worship Album! It’s called “Completely Abandoned” and it’s by Gateway Worship. 

P: What’s a Bible verse that’s been on your heart recently? 

KK: The verse that has been near and dear to me this season has been Romans 12:21. The ESV translation says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” It’s so easy to want to respond out of our flesh when we are hurt when we are misunderstood, when we are mistreated, or when frustrations arise, but that won’t get us anywhere. The hard thing, the mature thing, the Christlike thing to do is to respond by doing good and glorifying God. It is so hard, and it is extremely humbling to be aware of your wicked inclinations and responses, but we need to be watchful and have the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk out self-control and do good when it seems beyond reason. That is the way of Christ!