My first ever experience with virtual reality took my breath away—literally. As I lowered the headset over my eyes and adjusted the strap around my head, my friend’s living room disappeared and I found myself underwater. I watched and listened as a cage closed around me and computerized voices guided me through a virtual shark-diving experience. As I sank into the deep, blue ocean, I forgot where I actually was. 

“Don’t forget to breathe, Alex,” my friend reminded me. She and her husband sat to my right and left, seeing what I was seeing on the TV screen in front of us. 

I took a breath and laughed. “Oh, right.” I had become so immersed in what was happening that I had instinctively been holding my breath. 

When the experience was over, I took off the headset and found myself once again in my friend’s living room. “That was amazing. Can I do it again?” 

Introduction: Ministry in Virtual Worlds

When you hear the words “virtual reality” or “the metaverse,” Christian ministry probably isn’t the first thing you think about. For many people, these digital worlds probably seem more like something out of a science fiction movie than real life.  

But every day, millions of people escape the surroundings of their homes and dorm rooms and log into virtual worlds using headsets like the one I tried on at my friend’s house. They’re visiting digital spaces to play games, attend events, meet other people, build friendships and even engage in debates. 

Behind every avatar—a digital character that represents a person in a virtual world—is a real person with a real story, questions and struggles. And just like in the real world, many in this space are suffering and searching for hope. 

That’s why Christians are starting to view these digital worlds as mission fields—places full of opportunities to share the hope of Jesus. Through Christian ministry in the metaverse, believers are building relationships, praying with people and making disciples of people they may never encounter in the real world. 

Let’s explore what the metaverse is and how Christians are engaging in VR missions and outreach. You’ll also hear stories of people sharing Jesus in digital worlds and discover resources that can help you get started in doing this kind of ministry. 

Click here to skip ahead and watch Real Stories from the Metaverse.

What Is the Metaverse and Why Does it Matter for Evangelism? 

I like the way this article from GotQuestions.com defines the metaverse: 

Some people access these spaces with a virtual reality (VR) headset while others join from a computer or mobile device like a smartphone or tablet. Common VR platforms include Roblox, VRChat, Fortnite and Meta Horizon Worlds among others. 

These worlds look different depending on the platform. Some are built around games and adventures. Others function more like digital social spaces where people can talk or spend time with friends. 

While the technology may be new, people are logging on to interact with others in much the same way we do in real life: connecting over common interests, playing games, making friends, asking questions and even walking through difficult seasons together. Virtual worlds have become communities where people spend meaningful amounts of their time. 

For Christians like you and me, that’s significant. 

Throughout history, Christians have met people where they are to share the good news of Jesus. Today, millions of people—even those from countries closed to the gospel—are gathering online. As technology advances and continues shaping how we connect, it also creates new opportunities for us to share our faith. 

The goal of digital evangelism (sometimes called technology evangelism) is the same as that of evangelism in the real world: to bring the hope of Jesus to everyone, everywhere.  

How Christians Are Reaching People in Virtual Reality 

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave His followers what we now call the Great Commission: 

Today, digital spaces allow us to meet people from countries and backgrounds that we may never encounter otherwise. That means Jesus’ commission to us now extends beyond physical places. 

Across the metaverse, Christians are already sharing the good news of Jesus through VR missions and outreach. Online missionaries (like the ones you’ll meet in the videos later in this post) are building relationships with people who may never step into a physical church building, but are willing to have conversations about life, faith and Jesus online. 

And when people do encounter Christ, they can join Bible studies, prayer groups and even church gatherings that happen in virtual reality every week. 

Virtual Reality Church Services and Communities 

Churches are finding creative ways to use the metaverse as another place for people to come together, worship and grow in their faith. While a virtual church is not meant to replace local church community, it can provide a place for people to connect—especially those who cannot easily access a church because of location, government restrictions, disabilities or social anxiety. 

Today, virtual churches host experiences like: 

• Worship services
• Prayer meetings
• Bible studies
• Small groups 
• Community events 

For some, these gatherings can be a first step to exploring faith. For others (like Logan), they can be a bridge connecting them to a local Christian community in the real world. 

Real Stories from the Metaverse 

The following stories are just a few examples of how God is reaching people in the metaverse and drawing them to Himself. Each story reminds me that no matter where they’re from or how we meet them, people need the hope that only Jesus gives. And He cares so deeply about us that He will meet us where we are, even in virtual reality, so that we can know Him.

Bonus: Dive into even more stories of ministry in the metaverse in the podcast episode Sharing Jesus Through Gaming from our friends at FamilyLife^Ⓡ.

Evangelism Strategies: Practical Ways to Share the Gospel in Virtual Reality

Like in any mission field, evangelism in the metaverse starts with building relationships. 

It can be tempting to jump into this space and begin sharing your testimony or presenting the gospel right away. But we need to remember that people are not projects. To share Jesus effectively and to represent Him well, we must focus on getting to know those we are sharing with. 

We can do this by listening well, asking thoughtful questions and creating spaces where people feel safe to share honestly. It’s important for us to remain respectful and curious and to be sincere in our interactions. When we genuinely care for those we meet online (and in the real world), those relationships can eventually lead to gospel conversations. 

If you’d like practical guidance on how to engage in ministry in the metaverse, our Metaverse Ministry Toolkit provides helpful strategies and best practices for this kind of ministry. You can learn more and download the toolkit for free at JesusFilm.org/Metaverse. 

Digital Evangelism Tools

Ministry in the digital world can be daunting if you’re just starting out. But you don’t have to start from scratch. There are many resources out there to help you share the gospel online. Some of these evangelism tools include: 

• Bible applications like the YouVersion Bible app
• The Jesus Film Project watch page, which provides free films, series and videos in hundreds of languages—including the JESUS film in over 2,000 languages. 
• The Jesus Film Project app contains all the media from our watch page in an easy-to-access mobile app. 
• The NextSteps journey builder, which helps Christians and ministries create digital journeys to invite, pray for, evangelize and disciple others. 

Your Next Step: The Metaverse Ministry Toolkit 

Ministry in the metaverse doesn’t need to be complicated, and you don’t need to be a technology expert to get started. 

If you’re ready to jump into ministry in the metaverse, or are just curious to learn a little more, I invite you to visit JesusFilm.org/Metaverse and download the free Metaverse Ministry Toolkit. Inside you’ll find practical guidance along with training and resources designed to equip you for ministry in the virtual world. 

Final Thoughts 

It can be easy for us to see Christian ministry in the metaverse as something in the distant future, but as these stories show us, God is already at work in virtual reality. He is using Christians like you and me to reach people in these spaces with the good news of Jesus, drawing people to Himself who may never otherwise hear of Him. 

VR is not meant to replace the local church or Christian community. But it does provide a common space where people from all over the world gather, and it’s another place where the gospel is needed. 

Maybe the next person God calls you to encourage, pray with or introduce to Jesus won’t be your neighbor across the street or someone you meet across the world. Maybe they are in the metaverse.  

As technology continues to shape how we connect, may we continue looking for new ways to share the unchanging message of Jesus with everyone, everywhere. Let’s pray for God to raise more Christians to see the metaverse as a mission field, and to wisely and boldly step into these virtual spaces to share the hope we have in Him.