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Leveling Up: How Christian Colleges Are Revolutionizing Video Game Degrees

Christian Colleges Video Game Degrees | August 17, 2023 | Today, numerous Christian educational institutions are offering specialized courses in video game design, integrating religious perspectives with the curriculum. At Messiah University, students are taught to bring Christian values into the digital universes they develop. Abilene Christian University encourages its students to innovate in the realm of digital entertainment, guided by faith-based teachings.

Oklahoma Christian University has seen a surge in the enrollment for its gaming courses over recent years. Biola University recognized the potential of this domain and transformed its game design concentration into a full-fledged major. The aim? To train students to perceive gaming as both a platform for narrative art and a mission.

Michael Steffen, the lead of Biola’s program, believes that powerful mediums like video games are essential platforms for Christian messaging. While technical skills are vital, Biola emphasizes narrative elements in games, focusing on stories, character development, and underlying themes that players can connect with.

Aiden Arrendondo, an upcoming graduate from the program, sees the potential of video games as a novel avenue to spread Christian teachings. He recently attended a conference centered on Christian game development, emphasizing the divine gift of creativity and its potential in the gaming world.

Brock Henderson, CTO and co-founder of PxlPug, emphasizes the teachings of Jesus about self-love and love for neighbors. He also mentions Jesus’ call to be “the salt and light” in the world and references the call in Genesis to create and cultivate.

Henderson believes that given the powerful cultural impact of video games, they stand as this era’s most influential art form, deserving earnest attention.

As video games gain cultural momentum, Christians have shown a diverse range of reactions. Some Christian institutions have embraced the growing trend of esports, viewing them as potential platforms for outreach and ministry.

In recent years, games providing a virtual experience of walking in Jesus’ shoes have emerged. However, Christian game designers aren’t limited to explicitly religious themes. Their games can hint at broader moral values or depict the eternal tussle between good and evil without directly referencing biblical narratives.

Biola’s game design course equips students to identify and incorporate Christian perspectives into mainstream games. A game developed by a student, named Surface Runner, subtly weaves in Christian narratives. The game’s AI protagonist is influenced by voices, resembling the idea of divine guidance and external temptations.

Michael Steffen of Biola emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the player’s experience, suggesting that true service lies in directing players towards higher truths. Reflecting on the gaming industry’s practices, he suggests that love can be shown by genuinely considering the team’s well-being.

Henderson concurs, cautioning against games solely driven by profit motives, urging developers to prioritize players’ genuine experiences over mere monetization.

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Christian Reformed Church Lists Its US Grand Rapids HQ For Sale

Photo credit Google Maps

The office in Grand Rapids has been the denomination’s hub for over six and a half decades.

Grand Rapids, Michigan — Last week, the North American Christian Reformed Church made a decision to put its Grand Rapids office up for sale.

Having its U.S. main office at the intersection of 28th and Kalamazoo for over six decades, the church has supported over 1,000 congregations throughout the continent, with many located in West Michigan.

The deteriorating state of the building, coupled with the aspiration for a “smaller, more decentralized and flexible ministry structure”, led to the selling decision, as shared in an announcement.

“Its ongoing maintenance is becoming financially unsustainable,” Dan DeKam, director of U.S. Ministry Operations, said in a statement. “It is time for a new shape.”

The challenges of the 2020 COVID-19 crisis “pushed the staff to adopt varied work methods,” said Zachary King, the CRCNA’s general secretary.

This operational change underscored that the vast space of the current office was no longer a necessity.

Currently, in their pursuit of “flexibility for the future”, the church is on the lookout for a more compact and versatile office environment.

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Entrepreneurial Catholic Nun Engages Young People Via Film-Making

Sister Josefina Albuquerque, a Catholic nun from Mumbai’s western region, combined her love for movies and learning. She crafted a 7-minute narrative film using just a mobile device in a span of two days, aiming to unite today’s youth through her faith-inspired cinematic work.

In Mumbai’s western region, Sister Josefina Albuquerque, a Catholic nun, embarked on a cinematic journey targeting contemporary youth.

Her talent is showcased in a compelling seven-minute narrative film, crafted using only a mobile device over a mere two-day period.

A member of the Religious of Jesus and Mary Congregation, Sister Josefina serves as the principal of St. Agnes High School in Byculla, Mumbai. While she excels in the education field, her heart also beats for cinema. While her strength wasn’t in scriptwriting, she had an eye for the visual storytelling.

The enforced quiet of the Covid-19 lockdown allowed her to hone filmmaking and editing techniques.

Her fascination grew with the tribal communities of Aarey forest during a visit. This inspired her to film the documentary, “Under the Banyan Tree: A Journey to Inner Truth.” The documentary narrates the tale of an engineer who forgoes urban luxuries to reside in Mumbai’s Aarey forest, teaching locals to pursue their true purpose by advocating for their rights.

For her portrayal of tribal life in the Aarey forest, Sr. Josefina earned high praise for her directorial prowess.

“As someone in charge of youth ministry in my religious community, I observed that our youth invest most of their time on social media. I believed I would only reach them by fortifying oneself with media and digital studies. That’s the moment I decided that I needed to enroll in a professional filmmaking course,” said Sr. Josefina, in an interview with Vatican News.

Besides her role as a principal, she is now attending the Filmmaking Program at St. Paul’s Communication Centre in Bandra, Mumbai. This venture ignited her desire to create a cinematic portrayal of children’s lives.

She crafted a film titled “D for Dumbo” with a modest budget at St. John the Evangelist School in Marol, Andheri, Mumbai. The story revolves around Sam, a young fourth-grader ridiculed for his slower math recall. Yet, when faced with a creative challenge by a different teacher, the boy, often labelled the ‘class dumbo’, surpasses his peers.

The film earned top honors from St. Paul’s Institute in Bandra, Mumbai. Bollywood legend Naseeruddin Shah presented the award to Sr. Josefina. Currently, “D for Dumbo” is set to feature in the upcoming ALP International Film Festival online.

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The Pope Lands In Mongolia, Paying Tribute To Its Deep Cultural Roots

The flight of ITA Airways, bearing Pope Francis to Mongolia, touched down a little before 10 am local time. Onboard, the Pope described Mongolia as a vast “land of silence,” emphasizing the deep sensory experience it offers, during a conversation with journalists post-departure on Thursday evening.

Upon landing at the Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar, he was greeted by Monsignor Fernando Duarte Barros Reis, the acting head of Mongolia’s Apostolic Nunciature. Additionally, the Ambassador of Mongolia to the Holy See, Ms. Davaasuren Gerelmaa, alongside representatives from both the Church and the state, met him on the airstrip.

The State Honour Guard of Mongolia, dressed in their traditional red, blue, and yellow uniforms with metal helmets reminiscent of historic Mongolian warriors, stood in formation to honor his arrival.