Gaming as Mission: Dopamine, Discipleship, and Digital Faith | Digital Panel

What if one of the most overlooked mission fields today is the world of gaming?

In this conversation, Jennifer Richey (Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Gravity Jack), Luke Richey (Founder and Chief Visionary Officer, Gravity Jack), Amar Patel (Co-founder, Salt + Light), and Darren Allarde (Co-founder and CEO, Salt + Light) explore why gaming matters for outreach, discipleship, and the future of ministry in a digital world.

From youth culture and online community to dopamine-driven design and redemptive play, this panel wrestles with how churches, parents, and leaders can engage gaming with wisdom rather than fear. The conversation highlights the need for Christian creativity, healthier digital spaces, and a more intentional presence where young people are already forming identity, friendship, and meaning.

This panel is part of a series of digital panels on discipleship in the digital age, exploring how emerging technologies are shaping the future of mission.

00:00 Why Gaming Outreach Matters
01:12 Church Missing Gen Z
01:58 Friendship Through Play
03:44 Influence With Teens
04:38 Salt and Light Vision
05:31 Story Chain Deep Talks
06:49 Gravity Jack AR Outreach
08:10 Pokemon Go Social Impact
09:35 Funding Unreached Languages
11:08 Church Must Invest Now
13:32 Redeeming Games Wisely
16:59 Practical Church Playbooks
18:49 All Worlds Great Commission
19:15 Parents Facing New Reality
20:36 Tech Jobs Explosion
20:55 Pray and Encourage Creators
21:41 Gaming Bigger Than Movies
22:07 Disciple Through Play
23:19 Screen Time Perspective
24:34 Addiction and Boundaries
25:44 Dopamine Design Tactics
28:40 Redemptive Dopamine Loops
29:33 Find Better Games
30:29 Funding Resistance in Church
33:49 Why Games Are Misunderstood
34:39 Calls to Action and Closing