Living on Mission in Unexpected Places

I have always been drawn to the fantasy genre. Whether reading epic fantasy books, playing Dungeons and Dragons, or building imaginary worlds of my own, storytelling has been part of how I see life. 

Over time, I started noticing something interesting. Many of the people I met through fantasy and role-playing games had little interest in Jesus, and sometimes real hesitation toward Christianity.

That raised a question for me: If we are called to share the gospel, what does that look like inside communities like this?

Christianity and Fantasy: What C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien Can Teach Us

One of the best examples of faith and fantasy working together comes from the friendship between C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings.

The two met at Oxford in 1926 and quickly bonded over their shared love of story, myth, and literature. They both experienced childhood loss of a parent, and both experienced great suffering while serving in WWI. At the time, Lewis was an atheist. Tolkien was a committed follower of Jesus Christ.  Together, they formed the famous book club nicknamed ‘The Inklings’. 

What changed Lewis’s life was not a debate on a stage. It was a long friendship built on trust, curiosity, and meaningful conversation.

Years later, after many walks and many conversations, Lewis came to believe in Jesus. His faith that would later shape The Chronicles of Narnia and Mere Christianity.

Their story offers a helpful framework for Christians who love the fantasy genre and want to live on mission in the real world.

3 Ways to Share Your Faith in Gaming and Fantasy Communities

Build Real Life Relationships First

Tolkien did not treat Lewis like a project. They became genuine friends. They shared interests, grief, and long conversations about life and meaning.

If you are part of a D&D group or fantasy community, you already have something powerful in common with the people around you. Start there because authentic friendship fosters the trust in which spiritual conversations can naturally grow.

Show Up Consistently

Lewis did not come to faith overnight. His journey took years.

Galatians 6:9 reminds us not to grow weary in doing good. Consistency often matters more than intensity. When you regularly show up in your role playing game group, your book club, or your creative community, and with other D&D players, people notice.

Faithfulness builds credibility.

Trust the Work of the Holy Spirit

Ultimately, we do not change hearts. The Holy Spirit does.

Lewis once described a pivotal moment in his journey when a sudden rush of wind interrupted a quiet evening walk with Tolkien. Tolkien immediately connected it to Acts 2 and the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost.

Our role is faithfulness. God’s role is transformation.

When we remember that, we can relax. We do not have to force spiritual conversations. We simply stay attentive and available.

Living on Mission in Your Community

If you love fantasy worlds, Dungeons and Dragons, or imaginative storytelling, that interest is not a distraction from your faith. It may actually be one of your most natural mission fields.

Start simple. Ask God to bring one person in your community to mind. Invest in the friendship. Be present, curious, and consistent.

And when the time is right, consider inviting them to explore faith with you and experience authentic Christian community. That might look like a weekend service, redirecting a conversation back to the Christian story, a Bible study, or a conversation over coffee about deeper questions of meaning and purpose.

God often works through the relationships already sitting at our table.

✏️  AUTHOR CREDITS

This blog was written by the Mission Hills Church Groups Ministry.