February 9th, 2018, is a day that will be forever etched into my brain. I woke up to a message from our missions coordinator saying he was no longer employed by Gamechurch. I was shocked. Hurt. I watched in horror as my friends, one by one, renounced their affiliation with Gamechurch throughout the day. The ministry that intertwined my love for gaming and the Gospel was crumbling before my eyes. Gamechurch was dying.
I talked to my friends who I’d served alongside for years. I got what story I could from both sides. Some blamed those who left. Others blamed those in power. I stayed my course. I chose no side. I was committed to attend PAX East with Gamechurch in a month’s time. No matter who was in charge, we still had a mission to do. We needed to reach into the world and share the love of Jesus with gamers.
We went to PAX. We did our job. We had hard discussions in the middle of Fuddruckers. We told Mikee, our founder, that if he wanted Gamechurch to thrive, it couldn’t be managed by just one person. He needed oversight. He needed a Board of Directors.
It’s been a year since that PAX. A board was assembled. We restructured Gamechurch. We separated from EPIC Ministries. We breathed life into Gamechurch again.
But it wasn’t just us. We watched as the Gamechurch City healed. We watched new members come from seemingly nowhere. We watched old friends return. We received emails and messages from people asking when the next show was, or how they could buy some swag.
It’s because of YOU that Gamechurch still exists. It’s because of YOU that we’re steering Gamechurch in a new direction that allows it to exist on its own.
Today we’re re-launching Gamechurch.com. Here you’ll find swag, supplies, and training to run your own gaming missions trip. Of course, it doesn’t need to be a “trip” at all. Your mission is right where you are. You can be Gamechurch at your local shows and community events. Gamechurch.com will be the authority to teach and supply you to bridge the gap between the Gospel and the Gamer. There’s so much work to be done out there, and we want to empower you to do it!
Thank you for all of your support. It means the world to me that Gamechurch has a role to play in your life.
Joe Monzo
President and CEO
Gamechurch
