ACE Futures: Leveraging Community Networks, Empowering Futures

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African Proverb.

Week 1: Community Support Tactics – Building a Movement of Musical Ministry Support

1. Individual Impact: One Person’s Difference

After church service, Esther noticed the worship leader looking discouraged. “Your music touches my heart every week,” she told him. “I’ve been streaming your album daily and shared it with my prayer group.” The worship leader smiled, “You have no idea how much that means. Your support makes all the difference.”

As an individual, you can make a significant impact on empowering our musicians economically. Here is what you can do:

• Follow artists on all streaming platforms

• Complete full plays of songs (don’t skip)

• Save songs to your library

• Share music with your personal contacts

• Purchase merchandise directly

• Engage with social media content

• Pray for our artists’ ministries

2. Family Unit Impact: Household Harmony

The Patterson family created a new tradition: Sabbath afternoon worship with music from their church’s artists. Their three teenagers, initially reluctant, soon began requesting songs and following the musicians online. Within months, the family had collectively generated thousands of streams and introduced these artists to extended family nationwide.

Families can amplify support through:

• Creating household playlists

• Streaming during family activities

• Purchasing merchandise as gifts

• Sharing across family networks

• Introducing artists to extended family

• Using music in family worship

• Teaching children about supporting ministry

3. Small Group Impact: Circles of Influence

Maria’s Wednesday Bible study seemed disconnected until she suggested they create a group playlist featuring musicians from their church network. Soon, members were sharing songs daily, coordinating streaming sessions, and even pooling funds to purchase merchandise bundles. Their group of twelve created more impact than hundreds of casual listeners.

Small groups create powerful support through:

• Dedicated listening sessions

• Group merchandise purchases

• Coordinated engagement days

• Prayer partnerships for artists

• Shared playlists

• Group attendance at events

• Ministry support circles

4. Church-Wide Impact: Congregation Coordination

Pastor James noticed his congregation’s musicians struggling financially despite their talent. He implemented “Ministry Through Music” Sabbaths, featuring different artists monthly, creating church playlists, and setting up merchandise tables. Within a year, several musicians were earning sustainable income through their ministry.

Churches can implement:

• Featured Artist Sundays

• Merchandise display areas

• Church-wide playlists

• Social media spotlights

• Newsletter features

• Music ministry moments

• Digital engagement campaigns

5. Multi-Church Impact: Network Magnification

Imagine: the South England Conference decided to support digital music ministry across its over 200 churches. It organised coordinated streaming weeks, conference-wide playlists, and merchandise events. When it featured Sarah’s worship album, her streams increased 800% in one week, generating more income than she’d seen in six months.

Conference-level coordination includes:

• Regional artist features

• Multi-church streaming campaigns

• Conference-wide playlists

• Regional merchandise events

• Digital ministry training

• Coordinated social media campaigns

• Artist sponsorship programmes

6. For Musicians: Empowering Your Ministry

a) Individual Artist Preparation

David had beautiful songs but struggled to gain traction. Through ACE (Adventist Community Empowered) Futures, he learned to properly set up his profiles, optimise his music for streaming, and create merchandise. When the community support began, he was ready to receive it, turning engagement into sustainable income for his ministry.

Artists should prepare by:

• Properly setting up all platform profiles

• Creating merchandising opportunities

• Developing quality content consistently

• Building an engagement strategy

• Creating shareable content

• Designing community-focused merchandise

• Establishing clear support channels

b) Artist Collaboration Impact

Solo artists Sarah and Michael struggled until they began collaborating on monthly worship sessions. Both saw their streams double by combining their followings and supporting each other’s content. When the broader community support began, their collaborative approach multiplied the impact.

Artists can collaborate through:

• Joint releases

• Feature appearances

• Shared playlists

• Cross-promotion

• Collaborative merchandise

• Ministry partnerships

• Combined events

c) Artist–Community Integration

Worship leader James didn’t just release music; he created opportunities for community involvement. He featured church members in videos, incorporated testimony moments, and developed merchandise that supported local ministry. His community didn’t just help his music—they became part of it.

Successful integration includes:

• Involving community in content creation

• Developing ministry-focused merchandise

• Creating shareable testimonies

• Building two-way relationships

• Acknowledging community support

• Reinvesting in ministry

• Maintaining accessibility

7. Action Steps for All

1. Begin Today

• Supporters: Follow and stream music from three community artists

• Musicians: Ensure your profiles are correctly set up across platforms. Email ACE Futures your music and the platforms on which it features.

2. This Week

• Supporters: Share music with your immediate circle

• Musicians: Create or update your merchandise offerings

3. This Month

• Supporters: Organise a small group support initiative

• Musicians: Develop collaborative relationships with other artists

4. Long-Term

• Supporters: Help implement church and conference-wide support systems

• Musicians: Create sustainable content and merchandise strategies

Take Action Today

Join our ACE Futures Support Network by emailing mndebele.acefutures@gmail.com

Remember: ACT (Assist, Connect, Transform) so we can ACE (Advance, Create, Empower) Futures together.

Coming Next Week:

1. YouTube Strategy – Maximising the Platform with Highest Community-Driven Revenue Potential

2. Profile of one of our Community Musician Artists that needs your support.