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Youth Pastor Uses Gaming Ministry for Relationship Building and Sharing the Gospel
f I can’t get the young people to come here, I want stepped foot inside a church or opened their hearts to go to them,” said Kenneth to the gospel of Jesus Christ. When Grimes, youth pastor at Grimes was testing new technology Hacienda Heights church. equipment to use for Hacienda In 2018, Grimes started an Heights’ livestream worship services, online video gaming ministry he shared a sermon on his own via Twitch, a video livestreaming Twitch channel. He soon received service where people come comments from followers interested together to chat and interact in in learning more about Jesus and real time. Grimes brought the the Adventist faith, which resulted in A championship belt the youth idea to Brett Poynter, senior occasional Friday night vespers held on presented to Grimes commemorating his Twitch channel. “I started getting pastor of Hacienda Heights his accomplishments as a youth church at the time and current questions like, ‘What is the Sabbath?’ or leader and gamer. senior pastor of Temple City ‘What is vespers?’ or ‘I saw online you church. After prayer and consideration, this unique have 28 fundamental beliefs. What does that mean?’” ministry began to take shape. Grimes said. “I pray for questions like that. It allows me “The essence of this ministry is to reach people and to stay in touch with people and allows them to grow in share Christ,” said Grimes. “I’ve learned how to share Christ with the time and space a physical church may Christ in non-traditional spaces, and it’s helped me better not allow.” understand this quote from Ellen White: ‘Christ’s method “I’m not introducing people to the games; these alone will give true success in reaching the people. The games are where God’s people are at,” Grimes added. Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good. “I believe it’s our calling as God’s people to sometimes He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their go to a place where we feel uncomfortable in order to needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, achieve His mission.” “Follow me”’ (The Ministry of Healing, p. 143).” ___________________ Now, Jeff Rosenthal, senior pastor of Hacienda By Araya Moss Heights, continues to support this ministry. “Pastor Rosenthal has encouraged and challenged me to continue to preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words,” Grimes said. “He believes that good relationships with people may start with gaming but can blossom into a love relationship with Christ when they see how blessed we are.” This relationship-building ministry has brought the youth and young adults at Hacienda Heights closer to each other. “The gaming ministry has allowed me to fellowship with my brothers in Christ virtually,” said Christian Ochoa, a young adult at Hacienda Heights. “During the pandemic, and even when I was on lockdown because I had gotten sick, I was still able to spend time with the youth of my church.” The ministry has also allowed Grimes to build Pastor Grimes’ streaming set-up in his office at relationships with people who otherwise may not have Hacienda Heights church.
42 Pacific Union Recorder
Southern California Conference
