So, how does a conservative, lifelong Southern Baptist end up planting such an unusual Church?
The answer is more of a story than an experience. For all my life there have been two streams that just remain an unusually strong influence on my life. The strongest is Christ; I’m relieved to say. After all, things could have been different for me. I am blessed to have come to the Lord at such a young age. While I certainly struggle with sin like any fallen human being, I learned at a young age to submit my desires and actions to the Lord. (And of course to bring my many sins and failures to him in repentance!) With the exception of a short time of rebellion when first called to the ministry, I have actively sought to serve the Lord since being saved. This is the wide raging river in my life.
There is a smaller stream that runs beside the river though. This has endured over the years even after other little streams have come and gone. Sports, academia, music; they have all played a part in my life but have mostly gone by the wayside while gaming, fantasy, sci-fi, and imagination have just gotten stronger. This little stream in my life has endured into marriage and now even into middle age.
It wasn’t until my “geekiness” allowed me to begin to share my faith that I sensed God had a purpose for this aspect of my life. In truth, I often hid my geek hobbies. It wasn’t exactly what was popular to talk about in church circles. In fact, until the Lord of the Rings movies came out, it just wasn’t that accepted in many churches.
Let me be clear. Witchcraft, lewdness, and false religion are serious issues. If you know someone that has lost a grip on reality and has begun to cast spells or other such occult activity you need to get them help IMMEDIATELY. However, being excited about the latest hobbit movie or the latest superhero movie doesn’t put you into that category. Many may read this and disagree. If you are of that mindset to condemn then please be honest with yourself and condemn Cinderella, Snow White, and other such classic children’s stories. These movies involve magic after all. If you find yourself saying about these classics “but that is just make believe” then please allow such freedom to myself and Level Up Church as we cheer for Frodo and Gandalf.
It wasn’t until I was watching a gaming conference that God finally made it crystal clear to me what I needed to do. I saw thousands of people watching video games and dressed in costumes walking around with their children (also in costumes in many cases!). “They are LOST!” Came the urging of the Spirit. I prayed for their salvation, for the work of local churches. “THEY ARE LOST!” came the urging of the Spirit again. I have never heard audibly the voice of the Lord but this was one of those rare moments when it so clear it felt like the very voice of God. I began to think of all the obstacles such a person would have at a traditional or even a contemporary ‘trendy’ church. Then came the remembrance of scripture,
The answer is more of a story than an experience. For all my life there have been two streams that just remain an unusually strong influence on my life. The strongest is Christ; I’m relieved to say. After all, things could have been different for me. I am blessed to have come to the Lord at such a young age. While I certainly struggle with sin like any fallen human being, I learned at a young age to submit my desires and actions to the Lord. (And of course to bring my many sins and failures to him in repentance!) With the exception of a short time of rebellion when first called to the ministry, I have actively sought to serve the Lord since being saved. This is the wide raging river in my life.
There is a smaller stream that runs beside the river though. This has endured over the years even after other little streams have come and gone. Sports, academia, music; they have all played a part in my life but have mostly gone by the wayside while gaming, fantasy, sci-fi, and imagination have just gotten stronger. This little stream in my life has endured into marriage and now even into middle age.
It wasn’t until my “geekiness” allowed me to begin to share my faith that I sensed God had a purpose for this aspect of my life. In truth, I often hid my geek hobbies. It wasn’t exactly what was popular to talk about in church circles. In fact, until the Lord of the Rings movies came out, it just wasn’t that accepted in many churches.
Let me be clear. Witchcraft, lewdness, and false religion are serious issues. If you know someone that has lost a grip on reality and has begun to cast spells or other such occult activity you need to get them help IMMEDIATELY. However, being excited about the latest hobbit movie or the latest superhero movie doesn’t put you into that category. Many may read this and disagree. If you are of that mindset to condemn then please be honest with yourself and condemn Cinderella, Snow White, and other such classic children’s stories. These movies involve magic after all. If you find yourself saying about these classics “but that is just make believe” then please allow such freedom to myself and Level Up Church as we cheer for Frodo and Gandalf.
It wasn’t until I was watching a gaming conference that God finally made it crystal clear to me what I needed to do. I saw thousands of people watching video games and dressed in costumes walking around with their children (also in costumes in many cases!). “They are LOST!” Came the urging of the Spirit. I prayed for their salvation, for the work of local churches. “THEY ARE LOST!” came the urging of the Spirit again. I have never heard audibly the voice of the Lord but this was one of those rare moments when it so clear it felt like the very voice of God. I began to think of all the obstacles such a person would have at a traditional or even a contemporary ‘trendy’ church. Then came the remembrance of scripture,
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.
I fell to my knees in tears. Could God really be calling me to THIS subculture? How would I tell my wife? How will I tell my pastor? Church? ANYONE? This is weird. But many people probably thought Paul was strange and borderline heretical when he spoke at the Altar of the Unknown God on Mars Hill. Yet he did it and people were saved. I took my time and consulted the Godly men in my life who ALL confirmed this call on my life. God used a Peruvian Woman on a mission trip to encourage me. I finally told my wife and asked for her prayers. I began to study and talk to those that had planted churches before me. I didn’t rush into anything. I knew that basically no one had done anything quite like this and I sought Godly counsel at every turn. I do not expect the road to be easy; but I also know that God has his hand on it. GOD LOVES GEEKS! Just like he loves athletes. Just like he loves hunters, fisherman, gearheads, and that lady with the blue hair. Jesus saves!
I hope this story has inspired you to follow Christ WHEREVER he leads you. And I hope you will consider supporting us as we begin this kingdom work. May we all pray for workers for the harvest.
I hope this story has inspired you to follow Christ WHEREVER he leads you. And I hope you will consider supporting us as we begin this kingdom work. May we all pray for workers for the harvest.
Matthew 9:37-38 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
37 Then He *said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
37 Then He *said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
-Pastor Jacob McAnally