Viral TikTok experiment has churches under fire, how should we respond?
By Easton Martin | November 11, 2025
A recent TikTok trend has put churches in the spotlight, raising questions about how congregations should respond to urgent requests for help. The videos come from content creator Nikalie Monroe, who called churches while pretending to be a mother unable to feed her infant. She asked if the church could help her get baby formula. In the videos, some churches offered to assist, while others directed her to application processes or said they could not help immediately. Monroe’s reaction to churches that hesitated was frustration and criticism, and many viewers echoed her response.
The videos have spread quickly, particularly one involving Houston’s Lakewood Church, where Monroe was told she would need to apply through the benevolence ministry and that help could take time. Monroe questioned why a large church with significant resources could not provide quicker relief. She said she was not trying to attack religion, but wanted to show what happens when people in crisis call churches for help.
However, the situation is a bit more complex than the viral framing suggests. Monroe was not actually in need, which means churches were responding to a scenario created under false pretenses. Many churches are familiar with fraudulent requests and, for that reason, have systems in place to verify needs, meet with the person, or provide help through established benevolence ministries. These systems are not necessarily meant to avoid giving, but to ensure that limited funds are used responsibly and that real needs are met in a sustainable way.
The Bible commands Christians to care for the poor, certainly. At the same time, it does not spell out exactly how to administer charity within modern legal and financial systems. Churches must balance compassion with stewardship in an effort to help people in the best way. A quick phone call and immediate material assistance may seem clear cut, but many churches have learned that repeated unverified giving can drain resources and even enable harm. On the other hand, if the process becomes so slow and bureaucratic that people in genuine crisis cannot get timely help, the ministry risks failing its purpose.
It seems that at the least, the popularity of this is a good opportunity for churches to examine how they may handle such a situation. The world sees how the church treats the poor and needy, and we must be wise, loving, and willing to share not only our time and resources, but also the true need of the poor and rich alike: The good news of Jesus.
