Roger Speer’s project, “Saving Throws: A Dungeons and Dragons Retreat,” leveraged the power of tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) for evangelism and spiritual growth. Through the creation of the Ealdsmyth game system, Speer developed an alternative to traditional TTRPGs that emphasizes inclusion, community, and discipleship. The retreat was designed to create a space for participants to encounter Christ, engage in prayer, and explore their faith through shared storytelling.
From January to October 2024, Speer developed Game Pastor Training Modules on topics such as the theology of gaming, safeguarding practices, and incorporating prayer into gameplay. These resources were made available through ChurchNext, providing other congregations with tools to integrate gaming into faith formation.
The Saving Throws Retreat, held from October 4-6, 2024, at the University of the South, Sewanee, offered participants an opportunity for spiritual engagement. It was strategically timed to coincide with the university’s Uprush weekend as a faith-based alternative. The retreat hosted 23 participants, combining storytelling, prayer, and reflection to help them connect their personal narratives with the message of Jesus.
The retreat successfully promoted evangelism and spiritual growth. Participants engaged in storytelling that mirrored their faith journeys, exploring themes like courage, community, and transformation. Through intentional moments of prayer and blessings, attendees experienced the Gospel’s relevance in their lives. Many expressed how the retreat allowed them to connect more deeply with their faith and prepared them to share Christ’s love within their communities.
The project demonstrated that TTRPGs could be powerful tools for discipleship and ministry, particularly among younger generations and those outside traditional church contexts. Speer’s approach showcased how storytelling and prayer could foster authentic connections and spiritual renewal.
Roger Speer plans to continue expanding the “Saving Throws” model to other communities and campuses. His vision includes developing spaces where participants can engage with their faith through storytelling, prayer, and reflection, aligning with their baptismal call. By further refining the Ealdsmyth system and training game pastors, he aims to create new avenues for evangelism and spiritual formation.
