"Pokémon Go"

7/20/16              Aaron, Charlotte                    early 20's

I’m not a gamer, but I have to say I’m impressed so far with “Pokémon Go”.  I don’t know too much about it but I do know it has brought a lot of people out of hiding and playing video games in their houses and out onto the streets who weren’t there before.  For example we were out to share the Gospel on the main thoroughfare near our church when we saw two people, who turned out to be a young Jewish man named Aaron and his atheist girlfriend Charlotte, on the other side of the street intently looking into their phones and headed down the sidewalk.  We crossed over and it was very easy to start up a conversation because they were playing Pokémon Go and the nature of the game gives an advantage to those who network with other gamers to get tips as to where they might find some Pokémon.  After hearing and finding out more about their purpose for being out on the street we were able to share ours, which led to a very interesting Gospel conversation. 

A lot of time, money, and energy is spent on the part of Christians in organizing events, venues, and programs in the hopes of gathering unbelievers in order to share the Gospel.  Many Christians get frustrated that too often we find ourselves “preaching to the choir” as unbelievers become savvy in avoiding what they see as nothing more than a bait and switch tactic to build church attendance and giving.  Why not just be honest and bold in who we are as Christians, obey Jesus when He said to “Go” into all the world, and take advantage of the time, energy and money that the world invests in gathering its own crowds?  We too need to come out of hiding in the safety of our homes and churches and bring the Gospel out on the streets where it needs to be heard.  The “Pokémon Go” craze will probably only be a temporary fad, so let’s take advantage of it while we can because the command for followers of Jesus to “Go” is not!