The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast CNLP 780 | Are You Clear Enough to Reach The Next Generation? The New Rules of Cultural Influence with YouTuber Ruslan KD
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Jan 20, 2026 
Ruslan KD, a YouTuber and former pastor, shares insights on connecting with the next generation through digital content. He emphasizes the need for clarity from church leaders on cultural issues, warning that ambiguity can lead to misunderstandings. Ruslan discusses the importance of engaging with contemporary events and the role of YouTube in ministry. He also explores how young men are increasingly drawn back to church, seeking purpose and guidance. Additionally, he provides practical tips for combating distractions and promoting healthy masculinity.
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From Refugee Trauma To Church Transformation
- Ruslan grew up as an Armenian refugee from Baku and experienced extreme hardship before finding faith in high school.
- The local church and men who discipled him transformed his trajectory away from gangs and addiction into stable family and ministry life.
Church Media Role Was His Bootcamp
- Ruslan learned video editing to promote his music and then became his church's media director, which became a bootcamp for his later YouTube work.
- That church role led directly to full-time entrepreneurship and the habits that scaled his online ministry.
Leverage Creative People Beyond Sunday Tasks
- Pastors should let creative, tech-savvy congregants pilot midweek content like video announcements or podcasts to serve both church and online audiences.
- Invite those leaders into forming teams, not just one-off tasks like parking cars or running sound.
