Christian Missionaries Have Found a New (Virtual) Mission Territory
Christian missionaries have found a new virtual – In a dimly lit virtual penthouse that blends elements of Japanese design with digital realism, ten avatars gathered in a circular arrangement. A white stormtrooper sat beside a massive, orange cat, whose posture suggested quiet contemplation. The atmosphere was contemplative, as if the room itself had been curated for spiritual reflection.
A Virtual Encounter in a Digital Penthouse
The cat, voiced by Curt Curtis, a retired Texas-based Christian missionary, spoke in a deliberate, reverent tone. “Father God, just thank you for this opportunity to go and reach out to people who need you,” he intoned, his voice carrying the gravitas of someone who had spent decades in ministry.
“Father God, just thank you for this opportunity to go and reach out to people who need you,” said the cat, in the voice of Curt Curtis, a Christian missionary in his 60s from Texas.
Curtis continued, “Guide us and direct us to people who have a need in their heart,” his words echoing the familiar cadence of prayer. This scene, though seemingly whimsical, was part of a broader effort by Christian missionaries to engage audiences in immersive, digital spaces.
Adapting Evangelism to the Virtual Realm
For three years, the evangelical organization Cru has convened its missionaries weekly in VRChat, a social platform where users interact through avatars of all kinds—robots, anime characters, animals, and humans. These virtual worlds serve as arenas for conversation, entertainment, and, in this case, spiritual outreach.
The shift to VRChat marks a significant evolution for Cru, which has long focused on college students and young adults. Now, its missionaries are exploring new ways to connect with communities that spend hours in digital environments. “At first we were like, what is it like here? Who comes here? Why are they here?” explained Frank Kuligowski, Cru’s digital strategist, who spearheaded the initiative to equip missionaries with VR headsets.
Navigating the Digital Landscape
Kuligowski described the process of selecting a virtual world as an art form, balancing engagement and comfort. “Twenty users is the sweet spot,” he noted, emphasizing the need for a space that is lively enough to foster interaction but not chaotic. Once inside, missionaries split into smaller groups, approaching conversations with the subtlety of seasoned evangelists.
They often begin with casual remarks, such as commenting on an avatar’s design or asking about its creator. Over time, these exchanges evolve into discussions about faith. “Is faith part of your life at all?” or “I was reading in my Bible earlier today” might follow, bridging the gap between digital camaraderie and spiritual dialogue.
“Cool avatar,” Kuligowski might say. “Did you make it?” After some conversation, they gradually turn to religion: “Is faith part of your life at all?” or “I was reading in my Bible earlier today.”
A Journey from Chat to Church
Kuligowski recounted a success story that highlighted the potential of virtual spaces. In a world where a woman from China expressed a longing for church, he and a colleague extended an invitation to a virtual service. As the three of them entered, a fourth user—unseen until then—joined them quietly. This unexpected encounter led to a shared virtual worship experience and later to a connection with a real-world campus ministry.
“That’s been one of my great memories,” Kuligowski reflected, underscoring the organic way faith can emerge in digital settings. The story illustrates how missionaries are not only adapting their methods but also creating new opportunities for spiritual connection in a realm once considered purely recreational.
The Roots of Digital Evangelism
Heidi Campbell, a Texas A&M University professor studying digital religion, noted that efforts to evangelize online trace back to the 1990s. At that time, the Billy Graham Foundation trained Christians to initiate conversations in early chat rooms. “It’s the work of seeing these digital spaces as, like, the new religious frontier for evangelism in many respects,” Campbell said, emphasizing the cultural shift toward embracing virtual platforms.
For Cru, the transition from physical to digital outreach has been both a challenge and an opportunity. While traditional methods relied on face-to-face interactions, the organization now tailors its approach to the unique dynamics of virtual worlds. “Whether missionaries are from Cru or other online mission groups, there is this idea that (they) should really be part of the culture, the same kind of rules that apply about adapting to foreign countries,” Campbell added.
Concerns Over Cultural Influence
Despite the efforts of missionaries, their presence in VRChat has sparked debate. A subreddit thread questioning the “influx” of Christians amassed nearly 200 comments, with some users highlighting worlds like “sunset bar” and “midnight rooftop” as hubs for spiritual outreach. Critics raised concerns about the potential for missionaries to impose traditional values, including anti-LGBTQ+ perspectives, onto a platform celebrated for its inclusive culture.
“I think that’s one of the big criticisms, that people come in and try to kind of take over and turn it into something it’s not,” Campbell explained. The tension between spreading faith and preserving digital autonomy reflects broader conversations about how religious groups engage with emerging technologies. Some users worry that virtual spaces could become battlegrounds for ideological influence, while others see them as fertile ground for outreach.
From Avatars to Advocates
The missionaries participating in Cru’s weekly VRChat sessions come from diverse backgrounds. Geoffery Powell, a 28-year-old multimedia artist and computer scientist, has logged thousands of hours in the platform, drawn by its creative possibilities. “VRChat allows users to create whatever worlds or characters you want,” he said, underscoring the platform’s flexibility.
However, Powell has also observed the darker side of virtual communities. Over seven years, he noted patterns of loneliness, alcoholism, and suicidal ideation, with some users turning to explicit sexual content, including virtual group sex and pornography. Recent headlines have highlighted cases of sexual harassment and children accessing virtual reality strip clubs, raising questions about the platform’s role in shaping behavior.
“This space is full of potential, but it’s also a reflection of the real world,” Powell remarked. While he sees value in using VR for evangelism, he acknowledges the need for balance. For Curtis, the mission is clear: “We’re here to offer hope and connection, even in a digital setting.”
As virtual reality continues to blur the lines between the physical and the imagined, Christian missionaries are redefining their role. Whether viewed as pioneers or intruders, their presence in VRChat underscores a growing effort to reach people where they are, even if that means inhabiting the form of a white stormtrooper or an orange cat.
