Rise up and GO! Pokemon GO and the GOspel

Christians are called to
Go into all the World...

With the recent release of Pokemon GO, the world has witnessed the greatest video game release that not only dominates one age bracket, but several. And it's not limited to your monitor or TV. It's completely mobile and combines real world with anime, animation and amazing game theory principles that makes it very sticky (addicting). Yes, once you start, it's hard to put it down.

Having said that, I am amazed as a Christ follower how something so silly could dominate hearts and minds - conscious and unconscious. It's attraction is something for future research studies, but what is obvious is how people are taking it to the streets.

Catching Pokemon
@ 2am

You see, the whole purpose is to get up and GO. Take your phone and start collecting Pokemon, level up and take the fun to the Gym and keep leveling up while you dominate. And this is what has caused me pause.

It's not whether or not you think it's cool or not. That's not up for debate here. What it has done is show us that when things like this take over, we are not to shut the door on opportunity, but sometime embrace it in radical ways. You see, the church is the greatest force in the world. It's powered by a much greater force in this world - the Holy Spirit. And it's not about capturing cards and characters but about capturing eternal souls for the Kingdom of God.

In playing Pokemon GO with my kids and even venturing out late one night to experience the rage (see the photos), I found myself praying. Not about my score but for God's Kingdom... to advance, capture, conquer and defeat the enemy Satan and his workman demons and evil spirits.

Car parks to play
Pokemon @ 12:30am

This game called Pokemon is just a small glimpse into the spiritual world. It's visual cues don't come from augmented reality, but a spiritual reality that many Christians fail to embrace. We are called as followers of Christ to walk by the Spirit of God. Our battle is not of this world... and our armor is spiritual. What an amazing lesson many have learned in Sunday school but fail to live by everyday. We are to wake each day, get dressed in our spiritual armor, pray and live sold out for Christ. This isn't a virtual reality game but reality church. It's time to see this game differently. And to that end,

I've put some quick ways we can take the GOspel message (the GOOD NEWS) to the streets. I've called it simply: Rise Up and Go!

Please read it, forward it, tag others, COPY & PASTE, SHARE IT, Pass it Along and Do It (model it to others including your children).

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Rise up and GO!

Embrace the craze of #PokemanGo and when you visit a church Pokestop, STOP, take a knee and PRAY...

Rise up church and GO.
PRAY for the church, their Pastor, flock, unchurched and unsaved lost who don't need to level up but come to Jesus and get into the Word. It's time to use the power of #prayer to break strongholds and bondage in lives.

PREACH the Word of God. It's not about collecting balls in the game but to capture people for the kingdom of God. Open up a Bible and read the Word to those hovering around. It's the open marketplace with open ears (like Acts 17:16-17).

If you're a CHURCH as a Pokestop, awesome! Encourage prayer requests from each visitor and offer them living water! They don't have to leave the same they came :)

Rise up church and GO.

SERVE the needs of those visiting your church. Many are hurting people who need LOVE. Ask what they need and meet it. Show them the power of love only found in Jesus. It may be the only time they will step foot at a church.

REVIVAL starts with you. Ask the Holy Spirit to fall and touch this generation, to heal broken hearts and this land. Humble yourself, pick up the cross and do the work of an evangelist. Be bold and ask for the pouring and overflow of the Holy Spirit.

Rise up church and GO.
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. GO therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20

Rise up church and GO!
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If you agree, please tag your church, a friend and please share this post while you take action and share some Jesus! Don't let Facebook or social media squash it either... it's time to respond to the window given and get up and GO!!!

Blessings,
Dave Geipel

Pokemon Go at the
Library downtown @ 1am