When Bertilda Vázquez de Quiej, 64, came across the TikTok app, a social media network platform that uses short-form videos, she was moved to start a Bible study ministry. The grandmother of eight began to share Bible verses and an encouraging message every day from her home in San Lucas, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala.

Quiej soon began to gain many followers. In just two years since joining TikTok, she has more than 29,700 followers.

Her daily messages follow a “Do not fear” theme and also include the “Faith of Jesus” Bible courses and other initiatives promoted by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. She recently highlighted the 10 Days of Prayer the world church follows at the start of each year.

Perfect Timing During the Pandemic

TikTok gained popularity at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020, and it was perfect timing for Quiej to begin with the app, she said.

“I was motivated to begin with social media platforms because most people are connected and spend a lot of time, even during their productive times at work. They are listening to messages on social networks. They keep their phone next to them and take time to listen and view videos, and so I realized that the Holy Spirit can work through an audio, through a video.” 

That was motivation enough for Quiej to start her ministry. “One day, I noticed that I had more than 1,000 followers, and so I thought, ‘Well, they like what I’m doing,’ so I continued to do so, trying to improve each day,” she said.

A Seventh-day Adventist since she was 13 years old and a native of Nicaragua, Quiej is active in her San Bartolomé Milpas Altas Adventist Church in Guatemala, serving as head elder last year. She was recently appointed again as elder and treasurer.

As a wife, mother, grandmother, and business owner, Quiej keeps busy during the day, beginning with personal devotional time. She also takes time to exercise, does gardening, and runs her two beauty school shops. Every afternoon, she makes TikTok videos. She also posts on Facebook Live and recently opened an account on Instagram.

Quiej’s daily videos have gained her popularity as the Seventh-day Adventist TikTok grandmother in Guatemala who shares encouraging Bible messages every day.

She studies for the best time to post her videos on the TikTok app every day, takes time to answer questions that her followers send her, and tries to ignore or block hate messages she occasionally gets.

A Very Personal Ministry

“This has become a very personal ministry to me,” said Quiej. What she likes most is that she has found a purpose in sharing Bible promises. Her followers are based in many different countries, like Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Mexico, and the United States.

Quiej says she has received many questions from hundreds of people, even evangelical pastors who asked to see if she knows her Bible as she shares on her videos. “I may not know the answer to every question, but the Bible does and it has all the answers.”

She added, “I see this as such an important ministry because we have to preach this [gospel] message throughout the world, and I believe that I’m doing just that, preaching to Europe, Asia, to America, and the rest of the world. I want Jesus to come, and I want to use all the opportunities I can to that end.”

No Limit to Preaching God’s Word

Quiej is blessed every day she gets to share on TikTok. That’s 365 days of the year. “I just love this about the social networks, that there is no limit to preaching God’s Word.” She dreams of being surprised by the people she has touched by the message of the Bible in her ministry when she gets to heaven.

Quiej has had highs and lows in her life. She left the church for two years and returned to the Lord, was re-baptized, and since then, has clung to Jesus. When she thinks back to how God helped her in this ministry, she is so grateful.

Quiej and her husband, Moises, have been married for 48 years. She has lived in Guatemala since they married. Their three children live in the same town and are active in their local church.

“When I started to use social media networks, I was like a chicken pecking corn, with my [typing], but now I’m managing better, and it’s enough for my ministry,” she said. It wasn’t easy, but she loves technology and keeps learning how changing and dynamic it can be. She believes anyone can share the messages of love and hope found in the Bible through their mobile device(s).

Quiej hopes to soon surpass 30,000 followers on TikTok and continue growing her ministry. She will continue ministry on Facebook and soon begin Bible studies on Instagram.

This article was originally published on the Inter-American Division’s website