Christian Missionaries Extend Their Reach into Virtual Worlds on VRChat

Geoffery Powell, aged 28, finds the imaginative potential of VRChat captivating. As a multimedia artist and computer scientist, Powell is drawn to this virtual space. Christian missionaries are also engaging with the platform to spread their message.

Inside a Japanese-style virtual penthouse, ten avatars gather. The ambiance is intimate. A stormtrooper and an orange cat participate in a prayer. “Father God, thank you for this opportunity to reach out to those who need you,” a voice says. The speaker is Curt Curtis, a missionary in his 60s from Texas. Although the setting is virtual, the mission remains genuine.

For three years, evangelical missionaries from Cru convene on VRChat. This platform allows global users to interact via avatars. Participants can explore numerous virtual worlds and engage in diverse activities, including religious outreach. As digital social interactions expand, Cru adapts traditional evangelism for these digital venues.

“At first we were like, what is it like here? Who comes here? Why are they here?” — Frank Kuligowski

Each meeting, missionaries select a virtual world to enter. They target spaces with around 20 users, allowing for conversation without chaos. Once inside, they split up to engage small groups, starting with casual remarks like, “Cool avatar.” Gradually, they introduce faith-based topics.

One memorable success involved Kuligowski’s encounter with a woman from China. She expressed a desire to attend church, leading to an invitation to a virtual service. This connection extended to a campus ministry.

Cru, founded in 1951 as Campus Crusade for Christ, traditionally focuses on college students. They now explore evangelism in video games and virtual reality. Efforts parallel earlier initiatives, such as the Billy Graham Foundation’s 1990s online evangelism training.

Their presence is met with mixed reactions. Discussions on platforms like Reddit reveal concerns over potential cultural disruption. Critics worry about anti-LGBTQ+ views infiltrating a platform known for gender diversity. Heidi Campbell, a Texas A&M University professor, highlights such tensions.

“People come in and try to take over, turning the space into something it’s not.” — Heidi Campbell

Powell supports the missionaries, blending extensive VRChat experience with technical expertise. Powell finds online communities to experience loneliness and adverse behaviors. He sees a need for spiritual outreach.

Stewart Freeman’s experience illustrates this need. After a personal crisis, he turned to VRChat, spending over 10,000 hours online. He indulged in virtual relationships believing they offered hope. This changed upon meeting Pastor Jason Poling, who visited his virtual space weekly for Bible study.

Freeman describes a virtual transformation, leading him to pursue ministry full-time. He moved to Orlando to work with Cru’s Jesus Film Project, aiming to reach others seeking spiritual guidance in VR.

“Stepping into the darkest places, growing in relationships, and pointing them to the gospel.” — Stewart Freeman

This collaboration story was produced by NPR and Religion News Service.