For years, many Christians have viewed gaming with skepticism, seeing it as little more than a distraction. Dordt University is challenging that perspective through its Gaming Guild, a program that recognizes gaming as a meaningful part of modern culture and an opportunity for Christian discipleship. Founded in 2021 under the leadership of Dr. Brad Hickey, the Guild exists to help students grow in community, develop leadership skills, and think deeply about how their faith shapes the way they play, create, and engage with games.
Rather than centering solely on esports or game development, Dordt’s approach emphasizes ministry and vocation. The university encourages students to see gaming as a cultural space where Christians can serve others, build authentic relationships, and share the hope of Christ. Through Bible studies, leadership training, gaming events, and discussions about faith and culture, students are equipped to engage gaming communities with wisdom, compassion, and a distinctly Christian worldview.
The impact has been evident in the lives of its students. Alumni and current students describe the Gaming Guild as a place where they found lasting friendships, discovered opportunities to lead, and developed skills that carried into their careers, churches, and communities. Survey results also point to growth in teamwork, leadership, emotional maturity, and ethical decision-making, demonstrating that gaming can be a catalyst for personal and spiritual formation when approached intentionally.
As gaming continues to shape the lives of billions of people around the world, Dordt University offers a compelling vision for the Church: instead of fearing gaming culture, Christians can faithfully engage it. By preparing students to view gaming as both a gift and a mission field, Dordt is helping raise a generation of believers who are ready to honor Christ — not only in the classroom or the sanctuary, but also in the digital worlds where so many people live, play, and build community.
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