Even as a lifetime gamer and a member of MDS staff, it can sometimes feel strange to think of how video games work as a mission field, as a place where I can share the Gospel.
“The world has changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. For none now live who remember it.” – The Lord of the Rings
The presence of missional Christians is so important in digital spaces: We need to be there not just to preach, but to listen, to wait, to offer healing whenever life gets hard.
Using our social presence well is a part of evangelism, of living out our faith, and of being a disciple of Jesus in 2015. Our social tools give us additional ways to connect with friends on campus. We need to use them well.
Online communities face three distinctive challenges: clarity about terms (what does “online” mean?), engaging an audience, and motivating people to form a community.
For many of us, it’s a new and strange idea to do ministry online, via the Internet, through intentional social media use, or investment in video game relationships.