TruthCasting is a free resource that seeks to lower the cost for churches and ministries to store and delivery full-length sermon video and audio content. They offer premium embeddable Video Players, Custom iPhone and Android Church Apps as well as LIVE Streaming of your church services and event.
I had the opportunity to use their service on Easter weekend 2013 for the first time and I was very impressed. I used it for Pleasant Hope Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland and embedded the stream in the Church Online Platform so we embeded chat and social media sharing.
Here are the reasons I recommend Truthcasting as a streaming provider:
1. Price
Of course, this can be a catch-22 because a low price is often associated with low quality, but after speaking with the owner Matt Fraizer he assured me this was a ministry, not a money-making venture. (Even though there is nothing wrong with making money) He told me that the company breaks even and he has other ventures that bring him revenue.
2. Quality
I used Wirecast system to stream the church services and I was impressed with how easy it was to set up and the streaming quality. Streaming is everywhere and there are many things that affect quality, but on a busy Sunday like Easter where many churches were streaming our signal didn’t drop or lose quality.
3. Service
I emailed Matt for an issue on a Saturday afternoon and he sent me a solution back. In my opinion that is one of the most important things with any company, but especially streaming. Everyone has issues, and it is up to the company to help and assist with them via phone or live chat support. Matt did both, and on a Saturday. I know this may not be normal, but I was impressed.
4. No Ads
I know many churches that use UStream of Livestream for streaming services, but there are pre-ads and post ads and I’ve even seen mid ads. Truthcasting has no ads and I am happy about that. I understand that ads help keep costs low, but in a free or close to free church streaming environment this is no good.
5. Other ministries
Truthcasting has a vast archive of over 65,000 sermons. You can watch small churches that you have never heard of and large churches that you may have seen or visited. They aren’t rookies to the streaming game.
I highly recommend Truthcasting and if you sign up for a free trial, tell them Chip sent you and get 10% off any service.
What streaming service to you use? And if you don’t why aren’t you streaming?
Chris Huff says
I’ve been thinking about live streaming video for our services lately. This looks like a great option. I’m confused by one thing, though. It says it’s a “free resource,” but in the pricing structure, I don’t see a free option (it starts at $25/month, which seems very reasonable for what they offer, but isn’t free). So how is it a free resource?
Matt Frazier says
Hi Chris! You are right. Streaming is not free, however our “video on demand” storage of full length sermon video is free. Our Live Streaming services are priced to be the most competitive in the market.
We have been in business since late 2005 when YouTube was just getting started. They only allowed 10 minutes of video at the time. We decided then that we wanted to create a place where churches could host their full sermons online for free. We have done that ever since. However, over the years our churches have asked for additional services to extend their growing sermon archive at TruthCasting. That is when we created our premium services such as our Premium Embed Player – Media Center, Mobile Apps and most recently Live Streaming.
Ultimately our mission is to “share Christ with a watching world”. We see God using the internet and his chosen teachers and preachers to share the Good News. We want to help folks like you extend your reach and make Him known! You can find out more at http://www.truthcasting.com. Blessings! Matt Frazier – Founder & President – TruthCasting.
Eric Dye says
Thank you for the clarification. 🙂