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When Mats Steen passed away at the young age of 25, his family mourned the loss of a son they believed lived a reclusive life dominated by video games.
Diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy as a child, Mats spent much of his time immersed in World of Warcraft (WoW), logging over 20,000 hours in the game. His family assumed this was an escape, a retreat into a digital world devoid of meaning.
They were wrong.
Mats’ digital life as "Ibelin Redmoore", a private investigator in WoW, was rich with relationships, community and purpose. The documentary "The Remarkable Life of Ibelin" unveils Mats's impact on those he met online. His guildmates describe him as a cornerstone of their community—offering support, connection and life-changing advice. Mats’ story challenges the notion that digital spaces are lesser than physical ones. They are often where the most authentic versions of ourselves come to life.
Digital Lives Are Real Lives
Too often, we dismiss digital interactions as superficial or “not real.” But what defines the “realness” of a relationship? Is it proximity, physical touch or something deeper?
Mats’ story demonstrates that the depth of connection depends on intentionality, not geography. When Xenia, a fellow WoW player, sought to bond with her autistic son, Mikkel, Mats suggested using in-game tools like the “hug” emote. This virtual gesture became a profound moment for Mikkel, helping him experience and express love in a way that felt safe.
This wasn’t just a digital trick—it was a breakthrough.
For Mikkel, the virtual hug wasn’t a substitute for a real one but a step toward understanding and connection. Moments like this reveal the sacredness of digital lives. They are not second-class experiences but meaningful expressions of human connection.
The Church’s Role in Digital Spaces
The church often struggles to recognize the legitimacy of digital spaces as mission fields. There’s an enduring assumption that “real” ministry happens only within the walls of a building. Mats’ story—and countless others like it—calls us to reimagine this outdated perspective.
In Acts 2, the story of Pentecost illustrates how the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to break barriers of language and culture. This was not just a moment; it was a miraculous act of boundary-breaking for the sake of relationship and connection. Similarly, digital spaces are modern-day frontiers where we are called to meet people where they are.
At Checkpoint Church, a digital-first community for nerds, geeks, and gamers, we’ve witnessed the power of online connection firsthand.
Our Discord server’s prayer channel is a sacred space where members share their joys and struggles. What began as a simple feature has transformed into a vibrant ministry, with members praying
for and supporting one another in ways that defy traditional church models.
This is the fruit of intentional digital ministry: a reminder that the Holy Spirit works in all spaces, physical and digital.
Breaking Down Assumptions
Mats’ family initially saw his gaming as a barrier to a full life. They believed he was missing out on love, friendship and societal contribution. Yet, after his death, the outpouring of messages from his online community revealed a different story. Mats was not only loved but had profoundly impacted those around him. His digital life was no less real, no less meaningful, than any physical life.
This mirrors a broader societal tendency to underestimate the complexity of digital natives.
Gamers, in particular, are often stereotyped as isolated, immature or obsessed with violence. Yet, as Mats’ story shows, many find connection, purpose and belonging in digital spaces. They are places where people can be their most authentic selves, unencumbered by societal expectations or physical limitations.
In the Bible, David rejects King Saul’s armor before facing Goliath, saying, “I cannot go in these; I am not used to them” (1 Samuel 17:39). Like David, Mats found his strength not by conforming to others’ expectations but by embracing who he was—both physically and digitally. His story reminds us that every life, whether online or offline, is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).
Sacred Connections in the Digital Age
The power of digital spaces lies in their ability to foster vulnerability. Behind a screen, people often feel freer to share their deepest thoughts, fears and hopes. Mats was able to open up in ways he might never have face-to-face, creating bonds that were no less real for being virtual.
This dynamic is not unique to Mats. Platforms like “Kind Words”, a game where players exchange supportive letters, highlight the capacity for digital interactions to inspire warmth, healing and hope. Players describe their experiences as “moving,” “cathartic” and “comforting.” These aren’t just fleeting moments—they are sacred connections made possible by the digital medium.
Embracing the Whole Person
To fully embrace digital natives, we must move beyond surface judgments.
Mats’ parents, like many others, stopped at the “20-minute mark” of his story, missing the richness of his digital life. This is told in the film through the director not revealing Mats’ digital life until after telling the story Mats’ parents believed he had lived. As a church, we are called to see the whole person—their joys, struggles and complexities.
At Checkpoint Church, we believe digital lives matter because every aspect of a person’s life matters to God. This means creating spaces where people feel seen, loved and valued–online and offline. It means asking, “How can we bring the church to the people?” rather than insisting they conform to traditional models.
The Future of Digital Ministry
Mats’ story is a wake-up call for the church to take digital ministry seriously. The question is not whether digital lives are real but how we can meet people where they are, just as Jesus did. Whether through a WoW guild, a Discord server, or a heartfelt conversation through the Twitch chat, the possibilities for meaningful connection are endless.
As we navigate this digital age, let’s remember the words of Colossians 4:6: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.” Whether online or offline, our interactions have the power to build up, encourage and transform. Let’s use every tool to share God’s love, including the digital spaces where many spend their lives.
Digital lives are sacred lives. Let’s treat them as such.
Nathan Webb is a major nerd in just about every way. He loves video games, anime, cartoons, comic books, tech, and his fellow nerds. Hoping to provide a spiritual community for people with similar interests, he founded Checkpoint Church--"the church for nerds, geeks and gamers." Nathan can be found lurking on some visual novel subreddit, reading the latest shōnen entry, or playing the newest Farm Sim. Nathan is an ordained provisional elder in the United Methodist Church in the Western North Carolina Conference. He hosts a weekly newsletter podcast: To The Point.
