By Larry Lundstrom | Strategic Advisor, Brainy Pixel | Global Architect, Come and See for The Chosen
“If the digital world is the new mission field, then games and stories are the new village wells.”
That quote usually stops people mid-scroll.
I’ve said it hundreds of times—on Zoom calls with production houses, in boardrooms with publishers, and around campfires with creators. And yet, it’s only recently that it’s started to click at scale.
We’re living in a cultural shift unlike anything in modern missions or media history. Gen Alpha and Gen Z don’t just watch stories. They play them. And if we want to reach the next generation, we need to meet them inside the story worlds they inhabit every day—on YouTube, in Roblox, through Minecraft mods, and inside animated adventures that feel more Pixar than pulpit.
This isn’t just innovation. It’s digital translation—a form of missions fluent in the languages of story, interactivity, and immersive engagement.
The Chosen: FROM 100k to 300M+ Audience
At Come and See Foundation for The Chosen TV Series, I’ve had the rare opportunity to help in one of the most expansive global media movements in Christian history. We’re talking about a show that’s on it’s way to be translated into more than 600 languages and reaching audiences in 194 countries, all powered by a hybrid strategy—commercial-first release backed by a grassroots mobilization network of churches, streamers, and nonprofits.
It’s working. But here’s what we’ve discovered: while The Chosen is stunningly effective at stirring hearts, we need more interactive pathways to disciple minds.
That’s where the new frontier begins—edutainment and gamified learning built not just for clicks, but for eternal impact.
Why Gaming Is the New Agora
Mark McKane, my colleague and CGO at Come and See (formerly at EA Gaming Global Distribution), put it best:
“Over 90% of Gen Z and Gen Alpha play games as their first form of social connection and entertainment. It is the core part of the digital culture that shapes their social lives and influences thought, habits and behaviors.”
He’s right. Gaming has outpaced every other form of entertainment. It’s not an escape—it’s a digital public square. A sandbox. A storytelling medium. And for millions of kids, it’s church, school, and camp rolled into one.
We can’t afford to let that space go untouched.
Enter Brainy Pixel: Comics, Code, and Kingdom Vision
That’s why I like Brainy Pixel, a kingdom-first animation and media studio that doesn’t just draw frames—it draws kids closer to Jesus. Together, we’re launching projects that combine the creativity of Pixar, the humor of VeggieTales, and the immersive pull of Marvel—all pointing toward timeless biblical truths.
This isn’t your dad’s flannelgraph.
We’re building:
- Animated mini-series with episodic discipleship built in
- Comics-based Bible studies that make spiritual formation feel like a quest
- Gamified curriculums where kids earn badges, power-ups, and yes—fruit of the Spirit
- And soon, a full edutainment platform where kids can explore courage, truth, friendship, and forgiveness inside a world they want to return to daily
The first major rollout? Stay tuned for the release announcement,
The Strategy: Grassroots Meets Global
The secret sauce isn’t just in the content—it’s in how we distribute it globally. This is what I’ve spent the last decade honing. Whether it’s a film, series, or curriculum, we design for:
- Localized translation (600+ languages)
- Church-to-church distribution (not just app-based)
- Partnerships with homeschool co-ops, trauma ministries, and missions networks
- Influencer-based engagement via reels, reels, reels
- And pre-built curriculum kits that make adoption frictionless
Our content doesn’t live in a vacuum—it’s architected for worldwide movement.
The Future Isn’t Passive
In a world where kids scroll before they speak and game before they gather, faith formation must become immersive. Passive consumption won’t cut it. We’re called to build new wells—places where kids encounter truth, connection, and the One who made them.
That’s why I believe edutainment is not a compromise. It’s a calling.
Because when stories are lived—and not just watched—they leave marks that last for eternity.
Want to learn more? Let’s connect.
Larry Lundstrom is a creative strategist, global missions architect, and innovation partner with Brainy Pixel and The Chosen’s Come and See Foundation. He believes deeply in the power of stories, structure, and Jesus-centered technology. Follow his work at CLLCTV.org.
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