Let’s face it: When most people hear “hackathon,” they picture a dimly lit room, laptops glowing, and lines of code scrolling endlessly.
But what if I told you that one of the most powerful tools for reaching unreached people today isn’t a line of code, but a storyline, a quest, or a pixelated adventure?
Gaming as a Mission Field? Absolutely.
With over 3 billion gamers worldwide, the world of gaming is more than just entertainment—it’s a cultural force. From casual mobile players to competitive streamers, people are spending hours immersed in virtual worlds. And that’s exactly why this space matters.
Some are already doing it.
- A gamer named Endz uses Twitch livestreams to talk about her faith with viewers from all over the world, building genuine friendships through shared interests in games like Valorant and Stardew Valley (Indigitous, 2021).
- A group of digital missionaries launched a Minecraft server where young people could build, explore, and ask real questions about life and Jesus—all in a safe and creative online environment (Indigitous, 2020).
- In one #HACK project, a team built “Ale the Luhya,” a mobile video game designed to teach gospel truths through storytelling based in Kenyan culture (Indigitous, 2022).
- And if you’ve ever played That Dragon, Cancer, you’ve seen how a video game can tell a raw, emotional story of grief and faith, created by Christian developers to share their journey of trusting God through loss. (Game Developer, 2016)
Why Join #HACK2025 as a Gamer?
- You don’t have to be a developer. Are you a gamer? A visual artist? A story writer? A voice actor? This is for you. Bring your creative talents into a team and help build something that moves hearts.
- You get to reach people where they are. Some Christian gamers are forming deep communities online. They’re hanging out in Discord, Twitch, and Steam. Why not meet them there with hope?
- You can explore biblical themes in powerful ways. Create quests that reflect forgiveness, redemption, or identity in Christ. Let players wrestle with choices that lead them closer to the truth. Gameplay can mirror real-life transformation.
Real Projects. Real Impact.
At a past #HACK event, a team in Kenya developed a game, “Ale the Luhya”—a mobile game that uses local culture and storytelling to share the Gospel. Players follow Ale, a young man facing life decisions, while biblical values are woven into his journey.
It wasn’t about fancy graphics; it was about reaching hearts. That’s the heart of Game Jam: using creativity and story to point people to Christ. None of these games had six-figure budgets. But all of them had a clear mission: to be salt and light in the digital world.
Join #HACK2025
Champion and participant interest registration forms are open now. Host #HACK2025 in your city or participate in a project at a location near you.