Interview with Christian YouTuber Melisa Baydemir!

NOTE FROM JENNY: Hi everyone! I am SO excited to introduce you to my dear friend, Melisa Baydemir. Melisa is such a beautiful soul. She has so many talents that she uses for the Lord—singing, art, blogging, encouraging others and making Christian YouTube videos! She is one of the sweetest people I know and is truly a ray of sunshine for Christ. I know you’ll enjoy getting to know her!

I didn’t know who Jesus was, but I remember always feeling this hole in my heart. Like I wasn’t complete. I was missing something huge. I remember attending the main service at church and just being awestruck. Like, “This is what I am missing!” -Melisa Baydemir

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOU!

Hey you beautiful people! I’m Melisa! I’m 18 years old and I LOVE Jesus! I currently live in England, but I have always moved backwards and forwards from Florida. So you could say Florida is my second home. 🙂 I absolutely love anything creative! From doodling in my Little Faith Book, to singing and worshipping God, to filming and editing videos for my YouTube channel, to water coloring, writing on my blog and so much more! Another hobby of mine is definitely traveling! I want to see everywhere God has created! My favorite place is definitely Clearwater Beach, Florida. IT’S SO PRETTY!

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL?

I was 11 when I first started my YouTube channel! I was really into arts and crafts, so the first videos I created were tutorials on how to make clay charms and duct tape wallets, haha! After I accepted Jesus into my life, I decided to make my channel all about Him by uploading worship covers, and I started to make devotions too! I was inspired by the Bible verse 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” I was also inspired by other Christian YouTubers like kirbyisaboss and Chelsea Crockett! They are so amazing and are so bold for Christ!

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE KINDS OF VIDEOS TO MAKE?

My favorite videos to make are definitely my devotions! I love getting a word or scripture from God and telling you all about it! It’s so amazing to see how God gives me messages that I feel so led to share with other people, and it’s so humbling to be able to actually share it to a platform like YouTube. I talk about different topics like singleness, forgiveness, encouragement, marriage and more!

YOUR BIBLE STUDY VIDEOS ARE SO FUN AND INSPIRING. WHAT MADE YOU REALLY GET INTO STUDYING THE BIBLE?

Thank you so much!!! ♡ What really made me get into studying the Bible was probably how hungry I was for God. The first year of my journey with Jesus was very surface level and I didn’t really read His word much. I didn’t really know how to study the Bible! I got to a point where I just wanted to know Him more and to feel closer. So I started reading my Bible every day and I also started journaling. This is something that inspired me so much. Just having a place where I could write out my prayers and what I learned from the Bible that day so I could look back at it. It helped me actually remember His words so that I could put them into action. I also tried to start my day off with watching a sermon online. This helped me really study the Bible because I could get someone else’s point of view and I could read along at the same time! I would say the biggest thing that helped me get into Bible study was definitely my Little Faith Book. I remember buying my own journal from the store and decorating it with my mum. We went through the book of Proverbs that January from the Little Bible Plan, and it impacted me and my mum in ways I will always remember!

WHAT ARE YOUR GO-TO BIBLE STUDY TOOLS?

Ooooh! Good question! Along with my Little Faith Book, I LOVE having highlighters specifically for Bibles! They are just so convenient and helpful! And plus, they don’t bleed through the page! I also love having a cute prayer journal where I can write out what is on my heart. I think writing out prayers is SO powerful because when you look back on them, there are always prayers God has answered! Another Bible study tool I frequently use are Post-it notes! These are so handy to stick in your Bible—and you can write what that specific verse means to you in that moment!

WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO FOLLOW JESUS?

I decided to follow Jesus the December of 2012. I had just moved back from Florida and my parents decided to look for a church home! Before then, I didn’t know who Jesus was, but I remember always feeling this hole in my heart. Like I wasn’t complete. I was missing something huge. I remember attending the main service at church and just being awestruck. Like, “This is what I am missing!” It was such a special moment I will always remember. From that moment on, I decided to attend their youth program and accept Jesus into my life forever! So so so special.

IF YOU COULD SHARE ONE MESSAGE OF ENCOURAGEMENT WITH GIRLS AROUND THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I would definitely want them to know how valuable they are. You guys are SO valuable! God says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)! I feel like so many of us girls forget how precious we are to God. We feel as if we are too far gone or too dirty for His love, when we are already washed clean and white as snow! Because of Jesus dying on that cross for us! Girl, you are SO special! God adores you so much! ♡ Regardless of your sin, your past, the mistakes you have made, there is nothing you could do that would make Jesus love you any more or any less! Lean into this love today. It’s true!

JUST FOR FUN: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO AT DISNEY WORLD?

Oooooh! My favorite thing to do at Disney World is DEFINITELY going on the ride Thunder Mountain! It’s funny because before last year, I was so against roller coasters, but my boyfriend persuaded me that it would be fun so I gave it a try! And I fell in love with it! Here’s to trying new things! Even if they do seem scary.