Indigitous #HACK2020 starts this weekend, as hundreds of Christian technologists, developers, programmers, creatives, missionaries, and students will gather in more than 60 locations around the world to create digital solutions to bring the Gospel to where it’s not. Some locations will hack October 9-11, while others will hold the event October 16-18.
What is a hackathon?
A hackathon is an event in which computer programmers, developers, and technologists join others in the field of software development to collaborate intensively on projects. The hacking at the center of the event is all about creating quick, creative programming solutions to a problem — taking the “road less traveled” to reach a destination in a new or different way.
Is the hackathon for me?
If you’re a Christian with talent in any of the technology or creative fields, this is a great way to put your God-given talents to work on projects that will make a difference to many. It is an exciting opportunity to do missional work by doing the things you enjoy anyway and to see how your talents can make an impact in God’s Kingdom.
But what if you’re not a technologist or creative person? If you’re a strategist or involved in missions, #HACK2020 could use your gifts to guide the projects, make sure what is developed meets the needs and will have the desired impact.
What if you’re just a follower of Jesus who wants to make a difference but doesn’t know how? For you, #HACK2020 is a chance to learn about exciting tools and innovative ways to make Jesus known. You would be the target audience for many of the solutions made at the hackathon, so your input is vital to the process. If you have grown increasingly concerned about a particular injustice in our world, you can join a team of likeminded people to help solve the issue through fresh, innovative solutions.
More accessible than ever
Due to the global pandemic, many of the #HACK2020 locations will meet virtually this year rather than in person. That means no matter where you live, you can join #HACK this year. “I think an event like this is more needed now than ever before,” says Johan Myburgh, who is leading events based in two South African cities.
Since Indigitous #HACK debuted in 2016, approximately 3,200 participants have gathered in 69 different cities to work on 225 missional projects. Some of the previous projects have included a #HACK Iloilo (Philippines) team creating a tool to help every orphan in the city get placed in a home, teams in Singapore, Waterloo (Canada), and Chișinău (Moldova) collaborating on a website to reduce suicides, and a team at #HACK Hilversum (Netherlands) creating a VR game showing the life of Jesus.