The augmented reality video game, “Pokemon Go,” has caught the world by storm ― and it’s leading quite a few players unwittingly to church.
The game allows players to use handheld devices to “catch” Pokemon characters out in the real world, guiding them to various locations based on their ability to use “pokeballs” to collect virtual monsters for their arsenal.
A number of these stops, as many players have discovered, are churches, leading users ― and even some religious leaders ― to joke about the game’s potential as an evangelizer.
So #PokemonGO wants me to go to a catholic, baptist, Church of Christ, and an apostolic church. Clearly I'm surrounded by God.
— Michelle Rodriguez (@michrod) July 12, 2016
#PokemonGO looking for invisible make believe beings? Look for #God instead. He's real & requires a heart not a phone. And it's less weird 😇
— Fr. Leo Patalinghug (@Cooking_Priest) July 13, 2016
Ah, #PokemonGo. Bringing the lost to #church since last week: https://t.co/e1TFaUMceB
— Charisma News (@charisma_news) July 13, 2016
When your church has three different poke stops and is also a gym you attract a lot of people to your parking lot. #PokemonGo
— Janessa Smith (@Janessa_Smith) July 11, 2016
Some churches are even capitalizing on their designation as “Pokestops” to reach out to players wandering into their parking lots.
Monte Vista Christian Church #Albuquerque welcomes #PokemonGO trainers to our grounds. Come by and collect. pic.twitter.com/Z4S0t9ic5U
— Brenda G Warren (@BrendaGWarren) July 12, 2016
HT: reddit pic.twitter.com/6qHyxVhuNV
— Chris Martin (@ChrisMartin17) July 11, 2016
Scroll down to see more hilarious religious-themed tweets about the “Pokemon Go” sensation:
You might never find a Pikachu, but I promise you this - Search for Jesus, and you'll find Him every time. Let #PokemonGO. Go #FindGOD.
— Bishop David Ricken (@BpDavidRicken) July 12, 2016
#PokemonGo got us like "Welcome. Are you looking to find Jesus?" "Nah fam, just snorlax." #saved
— Amber Rachdi (@AmberRachdi) July 10, 2016
I wonder if Jesus likes that there's a #PokemonGO gym at the foot of our cross at church.
— Ron Merrell (@RonnieMerrell) July 13, 2016
I had to remove #PokémonGo from my phone.
— Gabe Bondoc (@gabebondoc) July 12, 2016
Only God should have that much control over my life.
When church is in session but there's a wild zubat hangin around the priest #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/dxdeJnptgY
— Cory Croll (@C_Croll) July 10, 2016
the fact that Westboro Baptist Church is a gym being controlled by a Clefairy named LOVEISLOVE is my fav. #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/7wrf4f67aQ
— Drew Boehmker (@IfUSeekDrew) July 9, 2016
The church in our neighborhood is a pokestop and put out water for weary Pokemon hunters. #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/Gx4Qr2gTCW
— Adrienne Kvello (@adriennekvello) July 12, 2016
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