Some of the most impactful lessons I remember are through the contexts of games. One example is with my time working with a missions organization going through team building challenges during a training event. In one of these games, we were led into a “cave” blindfolded and told to find the way out. The only way out of the “cave” was to raise your hand and ask for help. As we debriefed this activity two things came to mind that stuck with me on every trip I went on and still stick with me today. First, I need help. I cannot do this on my own and desperately need the help of the Lord as well as others around me. Second, just as in the game where I had the opportunity to help others find a way out, I need to seek to reach out to those in need who are lost rather than just watching them perish. I need to share the gospel with those around me and be intentional in sharing truth with them rather than standing by. Through this game, the concepts and lessons have stuck with me and have still impacted my life over nine years later! Games are a powerful tool to hone in on bringing about depth of community, breaking down barriers, and giving way to the truth of God.
In finding an ever-growing passion for games and the opportunities it brings for discipleship and community combined with a deep-seated heart for the Church and a depth of theological training, the idea of Not Just Games was born. Not Just Games exists to support and equip the Church through games similar to the one mentioned above that can have a life-changing impact on the hearts and lives of participants. My wife, Michele Thrasher, and I (David Thrasher) seek to establish Not Just Games as a service to the Church that goes on-site to churches, camps, Christian schools, and other various ministries in order to support the Church by providing experiential learning opportunities and training for participants to grow in their walk with the Lord and in community with one another. We desire to change the culture of games within ministry to be intentional rather than merely entertainment, time-fillers, or energy-busters. We plan on offering gospel-centered community building programs ranging from intentional recreation to in-depth community building. Not Just Games will also equip the Church through resources in the form of books, blogs, trainings, and consultations in hopes to change the culture of games in ministry to have intentionality and teach them how to utilize games in the discipleship process and in building community. We seek to be a national and international company supporting and equipping the church through games and changing the way the Church sees and utilizes games. What follows in the next blog posts are my thoughts fleshed out in regards to games within the church. Welcome, and I look forward to interacting with you!