A social experiment or a devious plot? A viral TikTok test has elicited a wide range of responses from the church. Influencer Nikalie Monroe set out to call churches—and record their responses—to see if “they are willing to help feed a hungry baby.”
“I think God just, he helped a poor, country boy say the right thing at the right time,” explained Kentucky Pastor Johnny Dunbar, who was contacted by Monroe.
A Fictitious Request for Help Became a Viral TikTok Test
Times are tough across the nation, and with the recent government shutdown and SNAP benefits being affected—people are in need. And the needs are rising. TikToker Nikalie Monroe wondered whether churchgoers know where their “hard-earned money” goes, and she set to find out.
In a series of TikTok videos, Nikalie Monroe posed as a young mother seeking help feeding her “hungry baby” and conducted a social experiment on how churches would respond.
While Monroe’s plea didn’t seem to seek out the various ways each church was helping and serving those in need, she wanted to know how they would respond to a specific request.
She posted as a young mom struggling to feed her two-month-old baby. She asked churches for a canister of formula, about $17 at Walmart. One of the churches Monroe called was Heritage Hope Church of God in Somerset, Kentucky. The only staff member listed on the church’s website, Pastor Johnny Dunbar, answered the phone.
“I’ve said no a thousand times. I’ve been scammed. I’ve been told every story in the world,” Dunbar said, according to local news.
But, this time, Dunbar said yes. As a great-grandfather, he wanted to know exactly what she needed—the kind and flavor of formula. The two stayed on the phone for several minutes.
“If you spend any time around our church at all, you’ll quickly learn one thing: We love our community,” the church’s website says. While the church describes itself as “full of world changers in the making,” no one expected this viral response to Dunbar’s agreement to help.
Monroe interrupted her initial conversation with Dunbar to come clean and explain that she was conducting an experiment. She also shared that Dunbar’s response moved her—so much so that Monroe also sought to visit Dunbar’s church.
Monroe received a mix of responses to her fictitious request. Another church in particular, Living Faith Christian Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, denied Monroe’s request, according to the Shreveport Times. After Monroe’s TikTok report went viral, the pastor retaliated during his sermon.
“The world doesn’t trust the church,” said Dunbar. “This may be the last opportunity to get it right. I think it’s a second chance.”
Since the video of Monroe’s interaction with Dunbar went viral, his church has received more than $100,000 in donations. He explained the situation to his congregation, with encouragement for all. “This is what we’re supposed to do,” Dunbar said. “Why is it noticeable that the church did the right thing?”
@nikalie.monroe Sorry people kept calling in and knocking my recording off and it was also a really long call. But this is Heritage Hope Church of God. Such a sweet soul this guy and the fact he was willing to even go get it himself made my heart melt. Loved it. 😍 #fypage #foryou #fypシ #fypシ゚viral #foryoupage #viral #viralvideo #trending #capcut #duet #wethepeople #forthepeople #wakeupamerica #worldtok #worldnews #veteran #church #churches #familiesinneed #experiment #God #religion ♬ original sound – Nikalie 🌈
