#HACK is a program that is championed by Indigitous. Here is a simple guide to explain this program:
What is #HACK?
#HACK is a program of Indigitous that rallies followers of Jesus to come together and build practical solutions to close missional gaps*. Since 2016 we’ve seen:
- More than 10,100 people
- In over 170 cities
- From 63 countries
… working together to take the gospel to new people, places and spaces. #HACK is possible because of a network of champions around the world who bring the #HACK program to their city.
What does #HACK mean?
The name #HACK comes from the term ‘hackathon’. Hack + marathon = hackathon.
A hackathon is a hands-on event for creators, gamers, developers, engineers, designers, project managers, and others to identify creative solutions for specific challenges faced in their community. Using the framework of a traditional hackathon, #HACK is focused on taking the gospel to new people, places and spaces in this digital age.
What happens at #HACK?
Each city has different needs and missional gaps. Local champions and ministry leaders identify these needs and invite people to respond to them using their experience and talents. At #HACK we’ve seen mission-focused innovation in response to questions like:
- Product development – How can we build or enhance a prototype that advances the message of the gospel? How can technology be used to bring the gospel in word and in deed to our communities?
- Media and content creation – How can we produce and curate content that points people to Jesus?
- Digital outreach – How can we share the gospel using digital tools and platforms? How can we reach people in online communities and spaces?
- Marketing and social media campaigns – How can we create a journey on a digital platform that helps someone discover Jesus or grow deeper in their faith?
Who is HACK for?
#HACK creates space to build, experiment and collaborate. At #HACK, you’ll find followers of Jesus from all walks of life: marketplace professionals, pastors and ministry leaders and anyone who is passionate about missions in a digital age. Also as an outreach event, #HACK is open to those exploring their faith. It’s a beautiful picture of “there is one body, but it has many parts.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
The youngest to ever participate a #HACK event was 8 years old and the oldest was 80 years old. Whatever your skill or talent, there’s something you can contribute at #HACK. Everyone is invited.
When explaining #HACK it can be helpful to emphasize:
- Innovation
- Ideation
- Mission gaps
- The gospel going to new people, places, spaces.
- Collaboration
- Participation
- Prototype / experiment / Trying things
- Inclusion
- Exploration
- #HACK uses the framework of a “hackathon” to identify creative/innovative solutions
*What is a ‘missional gap’?
‘Missional gaps’ are identifiable communities and audiences that lack the critical mass of followers of Jesus to effectively reach their own community with the gospel. These gaps include:
- Specific locations – Neighborhoods, cities, or entire countries
- Demographic groups – Specific generations, people groups, or ethnolinguistic cultures
- Digital platforms – Online spaces such as gaming communities, social media groups, or the metaverse where there is no current ministry presence
Need support? Send us a message at hack@indigitous.org.