In this episode of Monetize Your Ministry Podcast, Kymone Hinds welcomes Pastor Kevin Wilson, also known as "Chaplain Chai," to discuss his multifaceted journey as a pastor, international speaker, social media influencer, entrepreneur, activist, and author. Kevin shares his immigration experience, his path to pastoral ministry, and how the pandemic led him to content creation on TikTok, where he built a community of around half a million followers.

Emphasizing the power of storytelling, Kevin explains how he uses chai as a medium to connect with people, advocate for justice, and share meaningful messages, encouraging listeners to embrace and share their unique stories.

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Visit Kevin Wilson’s website: www.crossculturekev.com 

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00:00 Introduction of Guest
The host introduces Pastor Kevin Wilson and teases the topic of building community through chai.

00:26 Kevin's Response 
Kevin expresses gratitude for being on the podcast and excitement for the discussion.

00:55 Kevin's Background 
The host shares Kevin's impressive background, highlighting his various roles and contributions to the community.

03:00 Surprising Fact About Kevin 
Kevin reveals he doesn't drink as much chai as people assume, surprising the host.

04:34 Immigration Experience |
Kevin discusses his family's visa situation, being the only one approved, and his feelings about the transition.

06:15 Arrival in the U.S. 
Kevin recalls arriving in the U.S. alone at 17, feeling excitement mixed with loneliness.

07:21 Survival Mode as an Immigrant 
He reflects on the survival mindset immigrants adopt, focusing on immediate needs over emotional well-being.

09:06 Decision to Become a Pastor 
Kevin shares how his church involvement influenced his decision to pursue pastoral ministry.

10:57 Journey to Andrews University 
He explains his application to Andrews University and the financial challenges he faced.

13:27 Content Creation Beginnings 
Kevin discusses his early content creation experiences and the evolution of his storytelling.

17:50 Love for Storytelling 
He explores the cultural significance of storytelling in his upbringing and its impact on his work.

22:42 The Impact of Storytelling in Business 
Discussion on how storytelling is essential in marketing and business success.

23:23 The Pandemic's Psychological Impact 
Pastor Kevin shares how the pandemic affected his ministry and mental health.

24:34 Discovering TikTok 
Kevin recounts his introduction to TikTok and its impact on his content creation.

25:30 Chai as a Cultural Connection 
He explains the significance of chai in his life and culture, linking it to storytelling.

27:20 Going Viral on Social Media 
Kevin describes his unexpected rapid growth in followers after sharing chai-making videos.

28:18 Building Community Through Chai 
He discusses using chai to share stories and connect with a broader audience.

30:29 Lessons from Martin Luther 
Kevin shares a story about serving needs over seeking to make an impact.

31:41 The Importance of Excellence 
He emphasizes that excellence in craft can serve as a form of evangelism.

32:45 Customer-First Mindset 
Advice on prioritizing audience needs over personal desires in content creation.

33:35 Finding Your Voice
Encouragement to identify topics of passion for content creation.

34:27 Execution Over Ideas 
Kevin stresses the importance of execution in turning ideas into success.

36:48 Courage to Be Mediocre 
He discusses overcoming perfectionism to take actionable steps in content creation.

35:40 The Cost of Entry 
The necessity of completing a set number of tasks to achieve success.

41:05 Cool Opportunities from Content Creation 
Kevin shares a recent opportunity to collaborate with Sri Lankan officials.

43:37 Heart for Home 
Recognition of Kevin's commitment to giving back to his homeland, Sri Lanka.

44:22 The Way of Chai Book
Introduction to Kevin's book, emphasizing its journey through tea-making and life lessons.

44:58 The Book Concept 
Discussion about the book's structure, focusing on tea-making lessons for a meaningful life.

46:31 Impact of Storytelling 
Host praises Kevin's impactful storytelling and the global reach of his ministry.

47:41 Unique Personal Stories
Kevin emphasizes the uniqueness of each person's story and its importance in sharing.

48:33 Freedom of Choice 
Exploration of how individual choices shape personal stories and identity.

49:35 The Importance of Sharing 
Encouragement to share personal stories through content creation to impact others.

51:20 Connecting with Kevin 
Information on how to follow Kevin on social media and access his book.

 52:10 Final Encouragement
Host urges listeners to share their stories and increase their impact.