Explaining #HACK

#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 to mobilize people for missions in a digital age. Since 2016 we’ve been inviting people to take a step to reach their world through the largest global collaboration for missions.

  • More than 60 countries
  • More than 80 cities
  • More than 8,000 people
  • … working together to take the gospel to new people, places and spaces.

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 amazing ideas and mission-focused innovation in response to questions like:

  • Digital outreach events – How might we share the gospel using digital tools and platforms?
  • Game jams – how might we reach the online communities of gamers where they are?
  • Media and content creation – how might we produce and curate content that points people to Jesus?
  • Product development – how might we build or enhance a prototype that advances the message of the gospel?
  • Social media campaigns and strategies – how might we create a journey on a digital platform that helps someone discover Jesus?

Who is HACK for?

At #HACK, you’ll find innovators of all ages and all types. Marketplace professionals, pastors and ministry leaders come together to see the gospel advance in their city. #HACK creates space for experimentation and collaboration. 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 is often 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

Avoiding these phrases makes it easier for people to understand what #HACK is about:

  • Saying “techies”… #HACK isn’t for “techies” only.
  • Technical jargon… you’ll lose people.
  • Describing #HACK solely as a “hackathon” – #HACK isn’t exclusively about traditional product development. It’s okay to give product development and traditional hackathons as something that happens at #HACK, but be sure to highlight the broader vision of the different activities (not just traditional hacking) that happens at #HACK.
  • Competitive language

Need support? Send us a message at hack@indigitous.org.