THE wide reach of an internet platform has allowed two preachers from Basingstoke to spread their message further than they ever could have imagined.

Reza Afshar and Chris Bridgen, better known as the Two Preachers, have used their YouTube channel to help not only spread the word of the bible, but support people in other countries.

Last year the pair were presented with a Silver Play Button from YouTube for reaching 100,000 subscribers.

Now, their channel and work has gone even further, with a total of more than 47 million video views and 262,000 subscribers.

When asked why they believe their channel has been so successful, Reza told the Gazette: “I think it is because we show the results of our work.

“With a lot of things, where people donate, they may not immediately see where their money is going.

“That is the beauty of YouTube, is that we can get these pledges from one video, and then in a weeks’ time we can show the results.”

As a result of the channel’s growth the pair have been able to lead more than 180 bible missions to Pakistan, with each mission being shown on YouTube as well as being able to employ five teachers in the county to educate more than 300 children.

Chris added: “Because of the support we have received it has meant that we have been able to expand into doing the schools’ missions and spread the word of god that way.

“It isn’t something we could have every of imagined when we first started the channel, but now this is our full-time jobs and it has been an amazing journey so far.”

Along with the success of their channel, the pair have also had to learn on their feet with Chris adding, that with the change of the platform they have had to change how they present their output.

Even though the channel has a strong religious message the pair know that their audience is bigger than that.

Reza added: “Our cause has always been to preach the word of our lord Jesus Christ, but we have built a community through the channel of people who just want to help.”

Find out more about the Two Preachers by visiting their YouTube Channel youtube.com/user/TheTwoPreachers