Host Mark Lutz welcomes That Denver Guy (Denver Moore) to the NCMU Podcast for a powerful conversation about faith, creativity, and calling. Denver shares his journey from PE teacher to Fortnite streamer to creative director, unpacking what it means to follow God’s direction no matter the outcome. Discover why full commitment is necessary for growth and how obedience opens doors to new opportunities. Website: https://lovethynerd.com/podcastnetwork/ncmu/...
Aug 21, 2025•41 min
In this episode of Nerd Culture Ministry Underground , Mark Lutz continues his behind-the-scenes journey through the staff of Lux Digital Church by welcoming Gregg Miller, Lux’s Video Director. Tune in as they explore the role of video in digital ministry, the creative process behind weekly services, and how visual storytelling helps bring the gospel to life online.
May 05, 2025•40 min
In this episode of Nerd Culture Ministry Underground , Bubba sits down with Jeff Grant (Cru) to explore how campus ministry is adapting to the evolving landscape of gaming culture. They discuss innovative ways ministries can effectively engage students through gaming, providing insights into building genuine connections in the digital age.
Apr 07, 2025•51 min
In this episode of Nerd Culture Ministry Underground , Mark Lutz welcomes Andy Mage, Creative Pastor and Worship Leader at Lux Digital Church. Together they explore the growing importance of digital worship and the increasing demand for media creation within ministry. Tune in as they discuss how creativity intersects with faith in our digital world.
Mar 24, 2025•37 min
In this episode of Nerd Culture Ministry Underground, Mark Lutz welcomes Pastor Druzi (Dalton Ruzicka) from Lux Digital Church, where he serves on staff as the Community and Discipleship Pastor and on the Lux Management Team. Dalton oversees spiritual formation, community development, and actively participates in Lux’s gaming communities. Together, they explore practical strategies for building meaningful digital community spaces that foster genuine connection and growth.
Mar 10, 2025•43 min
In this episode of NCMU, Bubba sits down with Chris Mikesell (HopeCity NC) to discuss Chris’s unique calling into Disability Ministry - a ministry his wife Angela launched at their home church. Learn how the call to accommodate inspired innovative approaches—like their “buddy” system—to ensure anyone with a disability or sensory issue feels truly welcome and at ease. Discover practical ways to make ministry inclusive for all.
Feb 24, 2025•56 min
Season 4 of Nerd Culture Ministry Underground kicks off with a captivating conversation between host Mark Lutz and Philipp Bonin of Nerch—a church plant in Frankfurt, Germany, dedicated to creating a welcoming space for nerds to explore the gospel. They dive into Nerch’s origins, discuss why they have a large number of non-believers in regular attendance, and share the insights they’ve gained along the way. Tune in and discover how faith and nerd culture can unite in a powerful way!...
Feb 10, 2025•42 min
In this unconventional season finale, Bubba hands over the show to two unnamed A.I. podcasters (courtesy of Google's notebookLM project) to recap the Nerd Culture Ministry Summit's keynote speakers.
Nov 30, 2024•22 min
This week, Mark welcomes Giles Hash of Disciple Gaming Ministry, as he shares his passion of sharing the Gospel with gamers in Colorado and around the world. He shares how they help gamers connect with local churches, equip churches to use tabletop RPGs as a Bible study aid, and bring people closer to God and each other.
Nov 11, 2024•26 min
Mark welcomes Jon Wiest, Director of Next Ventures for Exponential NEXT and the Strategic Director of Mobilize the Church, a global ministry mobilizing disciple-makers, pioneer leaders, and church planters. Today they'll talk about what it takes to get the church out of their seats and into active ministry, ahead of Jon's keynote at the upcoming Nerd Culture Ministry Summit.
Nov 08, 2024•29 min
Gwen Leong is the NorCal director of Jesus Otaku, a cosplay group originating in Southern California, with members all over the world, united by a common love for anime, cosplay, and for God. Gwen leads teams as they attend conventions, host panels, wear cosplay, spread the love of Jesus, and sometimes just show up and have fun with other members of the anime community.
Oct 17, 2024•37 min
In this episode of NCMU, Bubba welcomes Chris Skaggs, founder of Soma Games. Chris shares his story of being called to create Christian video games, even when that hadn't been on his radar. somagames.com
Sep 30, 2024•50 min
Mark welcomes R. York Moore to share about his journey from atheism to faith, his ministry speaking to crowds large and small, and how the pandemic created a new opportunity to create hopeful content for those seeking for answers on TikTok. TellTheStory.net
Sep 16, 2024•40 min
In this episode of NCMU, Bubba welcome Andrew Lowen or Lowen Games, creator of Deliverance - a co-op tactical adventure board game set in the spiritual realm, and the highest-grossing Christian crowdfunded board game of all time! They'll talk about the board game industry, the new flood of actually good Christian games, and Lowen's latest Kickstarter soon to launch for Deliverance: Council of the Fallen.
Sep 02, 2024•57 min
Mark Lutz interviews Jay Kranda from Saddleback Church about online church, online ministry, VR chat, and the changing times. In this engaging discussion, they delve into the evolution of church services in the digital age, the impact of virtual reality on ministry, and how churches are adapting to stay connected with their communities.
Aug 05, 2024•52 min
May 24, 2024•57 min
In this episode Bubba talks to Charles, the Founder of “Beneath the Tangles,” which is a website that focuses on the unexpected convergence of Christianity and anime. Join the conversation as they explore how we can turn our passions, and sometimes even obsessions, into meaningful moments where people far from God experience Him up close.
May 10, 2024•54 min
In today’s episode, Mark sits down with MrMasterWong to talk about how both scary and rewarding it was for him to move to full-time streaming. Join the conversation as we hear how his time spent in the restaurant industry helps to inform the Kingdom work he is doing in and through Nerd Culture Ministry.
Apr 26, 2024•39 min
In today’s episode Bubba talks with Brad Hickey, Director of Gaming at Dordt University about the importance of academia in Nerd Culture Ministry. Join the conversation as they share the vision of what God is doing at the collegiate level and how the road is being pathed for people to be certified in Nerd Culture Ministry.
Apr 12, 2024•48 min
In today’s episode, Mark talks with Lorumerth University about what it takes to make memories when most people are focusing on only creating content. Join the conversation as we dive deeper into what a marketing strategy looks like when Jesus drives it.
Mar 29, 2024•1 hr 7 min
On this episode of the NCMU Podcast, Bubba is joined by Jamie Harris, CEO and founder of Satellite Gaming, a video game ministry geared towards middle school and high school students. Join the conversation as Jamie explains what led him to start this ministry, where God has taken it and how you might be able to discern whether or not God is calling you to do the same.
Mar 15, 2024•47 min
On this episode of the NCMU Podcast, Mark speaks with pastor and Twitch streamer XtianNinja (Christian Ninja). Join the conversation as they talk about what it was like for him to find a renewed sense of spiritual purpose on Twitch after multiple cases of burnout, and how you can be encouraged to seek God in the midst of a troubling time. Find XtianNinja: Website: http://www.xtian.ninja Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/xtianninja/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtianNinjaYT X: https://twitter.c...
Mar 01, 2024•48 min
On this episode of the NCMU Podcast, Bubba talks with Nerd Pastor Nate of Checkpoint Church about collaboration, digital ministry within the United Methodist Church and how he has found peace in delegation. Join the conversation as we hear about this unique take on ministering to nerds, geeks and gamers and how you can better do the same. Find Nerd Pastor Nate: Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/checkpointchurch X - https://twitter.com/NerdPastorNate X - https://twitter.com/Checkpointnerd Linktree -...
Feb 16, 2024•50 min
In our Season 2 premiere, Mark interviews variety streamer MissPositivity, as they discuss the desire to do more in our streams, talking about the tougher stuff, and leaning into the positives of faith and gaming. Join the conversation as they look at how being willing to tackle tough spiritual questions on stream can bring the curious and searching into the fold. Find Miss P online: Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/misspositivity X: https://www.x.com/_misspositivity
Feb 02, 2024•45 min
In this season 1 finale of the NCMU Podcast, Mark interviews Christian content creators and Nerd Culture Missionaries Johno, Amanda Souza, Pastor Skar and MmamaLlamaFace live from the first ever Nerd Culture Ministry Summit. Join the conversation as they share about the ways that God is moving through them as they try to better love and serve the nerds in their spaces.
Dec 08, 2023•45 min
In this episode Jon Rush, gaming pastor at elevation church, joins Bubba to talk about His journey to from aspiring professional halo player to helping to lead and develop nerd culture ministry at one of the largest churches in the US. Join the conversation as they look at ways to increase your accountable influence by raising the bar for expectation and excellence. Find Jon Rush- Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/jonrush X: https://www.twitter.com/jonwkeyrush Check out Mark on Twitch: https://www.t...
Nov 24, 2023•52 min
In this episode Mark talks to John Merrit, ESports Director at Oklahoma Wesleyan university, about his testimony and how God called him to nerd culture ministry at the collegiate level. Find Johno: Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/johno Twitter/X - https://www.twitter.com/johnostreams
Nov 10, 2023•48 min
Mark and Bubba sit down with Cheroney, known online as MmamaLlamaFace in her livestreams on Twitch and Kick. Join the conversation as they chat about how livestreaming can be Gospel work and how she balances that with a husband and children while remaining relevant and effective in the space. https://www.twitch.tv/mmamallamaface https://kick.com/mmamallamaface
Oct 27, 2023•49 min
In this episode Bubba talks with Jaclyn S Parrish, Director of Marketing at South Western Theological Seminary and keynote speaker at the 2023 Nerd Culture Ministry Summit. Join the conversation as Jaclyn speaks on the importance of community and how dungeons and dragons can help people find friendships in the places they already are. Find Jaclyn – Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaclynSparrish Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaclynSparrish X: https://www.twitter.com/jaclynSparrish...
Oct 13, 2023•48 min
In this episode we hear from Mike Erre, teaching pastor of Journey Church in Brentwood, TN and host of the Voxology podcast. Listen in as he and Mark talk about how the church tends to lag behind when it comes to reaching an emerging generation. Check out the Voxology Podcast: https://voxologypodcast.com/ Check out Mike on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mikeerre Check out Voxology on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voxologypodcast/ REGISTER FOR the Nerd Culture Ministry Summit (NCMS) 2023: ...
Sep 29, 2023•51 min
