Over a dozen years ago, I walked into a regional children’s ministry conference to speak on the topic of reaching kids through media, video, and games. As I made my way through the presentation, I noticed more and more leaders walk out. At the end of the session as I took questions from the audience, I heard people comment about how we would never see this happen in the church, nor should the church ever adopt technology to teach the Gospel. I was wrong.
Friends, we have witnessed, in a relatively short period of time, a complete change in the way we teach kids in the church. While video was viewed as entertainment in years gone by, today it is a staple across all major curricula and we have entire companies dedicated to the delivery of media content (RightNow Media and JellyTelly). While digital delivery of lesson materials did not exist, now we have entire ministries dedicated to perfecting this process (see Disciplr.com and ShareFaith.com), and digital downloading of curriculum is commonplace.
Today marks another important step forward for children’s and family ministry. Today is the official launch day of The Aetherlight: Chronicles of the Resistance. The Aetherlight is a game built with the message of the Gospel at its core. As players enter the game, they learn The Story through the story of Aethasia and its characters. I have spent time with some of the team members from the studio behind The Aetherlight and I have been so impressed with their articulation of how video games can become the classroom that prompts real-life transformation. The Aetherlight is an important game because it has the opportunity to capture the imaginations of millions of kids and tweens as well as root them with a Biblical theology and worldview that will last a lifetime.
At INCM, we share the things we care about with you. We care about leading the next generation into life-transforming, radical discipleship. I urge you to check out The Aetherlight and support their ministry.
What might God do next through technology to impact kids with the Gospel?
