How to Document & Publish Miracles on YouTube

Designate a Dedicated Videographer

Assign one person whose sole responsibility during the crusade is to capture miracle moments on video. This person should NOT have other ministry duties during the service so they can stay focused on filming.

Equipment Check

Make sure the videographer has everything they need before the crusade begins.

• •Smartphone with a good camera (iPhone or recent Android)
• •Fully charged battery + portable power bank
• •Plenty of storage space on the phone (at least 10GB free)
• •Optional: clip-on phone stabilizer for smoother footage

Set to Vertical Video (Portrait Mode)

All footage should be filmed in vertical/portrait orientation (9:16 aspect ratio). This is the native format for YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram Reels, which is where these clips will be published.

Coordinate with the Prayer Team

Before the service, talk with the prayer team about positioning. The videographer needs to know where prayer will happen so they can be in the right place at the right time.

• •Know the general flow of the service and when altar call will happen
• •Identify the best angles to film from without disrupting the prayer
• •If there are multiple prayer stations, plan which ones to prioritize

Position at Different Prayer Locations

Move between different areas where prayer is happening to capture various angles and miracles. Don't stay in one spot the whole time.

• •Be mobile and ready to move quickly when something happens
• •Stay close enough to capture clear audio and video
• •Be respectful and unobtrusive -- don't interfere with the prayer

Film at the Time of Prayer

Start recording BEFORE the prayer begins and keep filming through the miracle moment. The key is to capture the actual moment of healing, not just the before or after.

Get Close-Up Shots

When possible, get close enough to capture the person's face and body language. The emotional impact of seeing someone healed is what makes these videos powerful.

• •Capture facial expressions during and after prayer
• •If someone was using a wheelchair, cane, or other aid, film them moving without it
• •Show the contrast between before and after the miracle

Keep Recording Continuously

Don't stop and start between miracle moments. It's better to have too much footage than to miss something. You can always cut later during editing.

Get the Person's Contact Information

After the miracle, approach the person (or have someone on the team approach them) and collect their information.

• •Full name
• •Phone number
• •Email address (if available)
• •City they traveled from

Record the Condition Before Prayer

Document what the person's condition was BEFORE the prayer. Be specific about the ailment, injury, or condition.

• •What was the specific condition? (e.g., "broken ribs from motorcycle accident")
• •How long had they been dealing with it?
• •How did it affect their daily life? (e.g., "couldn't lift arms, difficulty breathing")

Record What Happened After Prayer

Document exactly what changed after the prayer. Again, be specific.

• •What can they do now that they couldn't before?
• •Was the healing instant or gradual?
• •Did they feel anything specific during the prayer?

Get a Brief On-Camera Testimony

If the person is willing, record a short video of them sharing their testimony in their own words. This is optional but extremely powerful content.

Note the Date and Location

Record the date and specific location (city, venue name) of the crusade where the miracle happened. This is important for organizing and labeling the content later.

Contact Within 1-2 Weeks

Reach out to the person within 1-2 weeks after the crusade to check in on them.

• •Call or text to see how they're doing
• •Ask if the healing has persisted
• •Express that the church cares about them beyond the event

Confirm the Healing Has Persisted

Verify that the miracle is lasting. This is important both for the person's wellbeing and for the integrity of the testimony when published.

Get Permission to Publish

Explicitly ask the person for their permission to use the video footage in a published YouTube video.

• •Explain that the video will be published on YouTube and possibly social media
• •Ask if they want their full name shown or prefer to remain anonymous
• •If they decline, respect their decision completely

Cut to Just the Prayer and Miracle Moments

Edit the footage down to ONLY the moments of prayer and healing. Do not include the full service, worship, or preaching.

Compile Multiple Miracle Clips Together

Combine miracle clips from different locations and moments into a single compilation video. This creates a powerful montage showing multiple healings.

• •Arrange clips in a compelling order
• •Include clips from different locations to show variety
• •Keep the pace moving -- each clip should be impactful and concise

Keep Clips Within 3 Minutes for Shorts

YouTube Shorts can be up to 3 minutes long. Keep individual clips concise and impactful -- aim for under 3 minutes per Short.

Ensure Vertical Format (9:16)

The final video must be in vertical/portrait format (9:16 aspect ratio). If any footage was accidentally filmed horizontally, crop or letterbox it to fit vertical.

Add Text Overlay Describing the Miracle

Add a text overlay at the bottom of the video that describes what happened. This should include the condition before prayer and what happened after.

• •Use clear, readable white font with a dark background/outline
• •Keep the text concise but descriptive
• •Example: "Because of a motorcycle accident, three of his ribs were broken. He was in pain, had difficulty breathing due to the rib pain, and could not lift his arms. But after prayer, he was completely healed."
• •Reference @nctcdallas videos for formatting examples

Add Church Branding

Include Encounter branding in the video -- either as a watermark, intro/outro card, or in the video description.

• •Download official logos and brand assets: https://www.encounter-intl.com/assets

Write a Compelling Title and Description

The title should grab attention and the description should provide context.

• •Title example: "Instant Healing -- Raw Moment Caught on Camera"
• •Include relevant details in the description
• •Add the location and date of the crusade

Publish as a YouTube Short

Upload the vertical video to YouTube. If it's under 3 minutes and vertical, YouTube will automatically categorize it as a Short. Add #Shorts to the title or description to ensure it gets the Shorts treatment.

Cross-Post to Instagram Reels, TikTok & Facebook

Post the same vertical video across all platforms to maximize reach. The same video format works on all of them.

• •Instagram Reels: Upload as a Reel from the Encounter Instagram account
• •TikTok: Upload directly to the Encounter TikTok account
• •Facebook: Post as a Reel on the Encounter Facebook page
• •Use the same title/description across platforms for consistency