God and Video Games

Not God Or Video Games

Growing up, I split my time between several different passions. Two of the biggest ones I had could not be further apart: growing closer to God and Video Games. At age five I got a Game Boy for my birthday, just weeks after reciting the Lord’s Prayer in front of the whole church from memory for the first time.

As I grew I learned more about The Lord and also developed an appreciation for different hobbies. Nerdy hobbies. People often say those two won’t mix. I remember several people in church scolding me for wearing a Harry Potter shirt one Sunday. I didn’t let that deter me, I just kept on loving my nerdy hobbies.

After graduating High School I knew I wanted to enter into The Ministry so I applied. I was accepted into Boston Baptist College and would spend the next four years working towards a degree in Biblical Studies.

But that doesn’t mean I quit my hobbies. I did homework, wrote papers, and studied for tests… I just also studied a few other things – like Video Production and Game Design. My senior year, while preparing to graduate, I started my own gaming YouTube Channel to help unwind from writing my dissertation.

Both? Both. Both is Good.

After serving in churches for 11 years in both full-time and part-time roles, my wife and I decided to move on in the summer of 2019. God called me to focus on an online streaming ministry. I broadcasted on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, which I had pursued in the background for years. We ramped up our efforts, creating online spaces to be a Light to those who may never enter a church.

God should be part of every area of our lives, so why separate Him from our hobbies? Why not do both God and video games at the same time? That’s why people use clichés like “come alongside” and “do life together!”. Because God is meant to exist with us in whatever we’re doing right now.