The Christian Board Gamers Podcast

In this episode, Ray and Joe hit the table with Kings of Israel and dig into a much heavier conversation: the reality and weight of sin. 

Sin rarely stays contained. It reaches into our lives, our relationships, and places we never expected it to touch. Its consequences remind us that we don’t simply need to try harder or clean ourselves up—we desperately need Jesus. 

Join Ray and Joe as they talk about the far-reaching effects of sin, the grace of God, and why the Gospel is such incredibly good news for people who could never rescue themselves. 

Joe and Ray are running on fumes, but that doesn’t stop this episode from going surprisingly deep. After catching up on Strong Tower Gamers, listener emails, ministry moments, chickens, cats, and life around the game table, they break down Hickory Dickory and use its clock-driven gameplay to launch into a conversation about time. What does it look like to steward your time well, prioritize what actually matters, be present with people, resist the pull of comfort, and create space for God, family, community, and ministry? From hospitality and relationships to discipline, calendars, and the myth of perfect “work-life balance,” Joe and Ray explore how intentionally taking time can shape the way we live, serve, and love the people around us. 

Joe and Ray roll into Rolling in Wonderland, breaking down the game’s dice-driven action selection, area control, asymmetrical abilities, and clever resource decisions while connecting its central choices to a bigger conversation about Christian discernment. As the game unfolds, they talk about knowing when saying yes means saying no to something else, seeking God through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, wise counsel, and Christian community, making decisions when multiple paths can honor God, and resisting the fear and anxiety that can come from social media and conspiracy-driven content. Along the way, they also share updates on the Game Changer Board Gaming Retreat, the new Wisconsin location at Camp Timber-lee, and why Rolling in Wonderland has quickly become a game they’re eager to get back to the table.

Links: 
Email Address: [email protected] 
CBG FB Group: facebook.com/groups/christianboardgamers 
LTN Outreach: www.lovethynerd.com/outreach 

Ray and Joe are back to talk Gen Con, Ray’s cameo in a new movie, and, of course, board games! This episode, they hit the table to teach and play Torchlit from Allplay. 

But carrying a torch is about more than lighting the way in a game. As followers of Jesus, we’re called to be torchbearers—lights in the midst of darkness. Join Ray and Joe as they dig into what it looks like to follow Jesus faithfully, shine His light wherever we are, and hear some incredible stories of how God is moving in the board game space.

Joe and Ray are back for a brand-new season of the Christian Board Gamers Podcast—and for the first time, they’re recording together in person! They catch up on a packed summer filled with Origins Game Fair, youth camps, a new job, family adventures, and preparations for Gen Con before diving into two creature-filled board games: Wondrous Creatures and Dinogenics. Along the way, they discuss worker placement, card synergies, dinosaur disasters, the dangers of forgetting your goats, and what makes a game worth returning to. It’s a relaxed, laughter-filled season premiere focused on Jesus, community, board games, and the joy of finally sharing the same table. 

In the longest episode to date, Ray & Joe chat about the game It's a Wonderful World before diving into a passionate and thoughtful conversation on eschatology. Joe shares his personal journey through different end-times perspectives, what God has been teaching him along the way, and the importance of approaching these conversations with humility, grace, and genuine curiosity. Together, they discuss the reality that too many theological conversations become driven by assumptions, labels, pride, or division rather than honest dialogue and understanding. This episode is a reminder that even when we disagree, we are still called to engage one another as brothers and sisters in Christ with love, patience, and respect.

Ray and Joe are back together for a classic Christian Board Gamers Podcast conversation full of life updates, board game stories, technical difficulties, and a meaningful dive into how God refines His people. The episode starts with Ray sharing about his role in the upcoming film Just One More, Joe recapping FPC Con, Game Changer, Love Thy Nerd, Christian Board Gamers’ four-year celebration, and some recent BGA plays. Then the conversation turns toward Everdell Silver Frost, the fire-and-snow mechanic, and how it reflects the refining work of God in seasons of difficulty. Joe also shares behind-the-scenes updates on his developing game Reborn, including its shift into a cooperative deck-building experience centered on spiritual growth, sanctification, Scripture, and the armor of God.

Joe and Ray welcome Rusty Lumpkin of Three Nail Games to the Christian Board Gamers Podcast for a conversation about faith, testimony, game design, and the importance of meaningful time together.

Rusty shares his personal walk with Christ, how God used different seasons of life to shape him, and how Three Nail Games was born out of prayer and a desire to glorify God through tabletop gaming. The episode also explores family, ministry, board game publishing, and the deeper connections games can create around the table.

Rusty’s Links: 

Website- www.threenailgames.com 

Instagram - @threenailgames 

Facebook- @threenailgames 

Our Links: 

Email Address: [email protected] 

CBG FB Group: facebook.com/groups/christianboardgamers 

LTN Outreach: www.lovethynerd.com/outreach 

Game Changer Board Gaming Retreat Link: camplivingwaters.org/game-changer 

Sponsor Links: 

Fearless Nonprofit: fearlessnonprofit.org 

Camp Living Waters: camplivingwaters.org

In this episode of The Christian Board Gamers Podcast, Joe and Ray sit down with April Mitchell—inventor, game designer, and founder of 4A’s Creations—for a conversation that goes far beyond games.

April shares her faith journey, how God has shaped her creativity, and the way her relationship with Christ influences every part of her design process. From discovering her calling to navigating the challenges of bringing ideas to life, she offers honest insight into what it looks like to create with purpose. This episode is a meaningful reminder that creativity is not just a skill, but something God can use to impact others and build lasting connections.

Website - www.4Ascreations.com 

Instagram - @aprilmitchell_meant2invent 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-mitchell-7132295b 

YouTube - @aprilmitchellmeanttoinvent 

Website: https://lovethynerd.com/podcastnetwork/christian-board-gamers/

Joe and Ray join Daniel and John from the Around the Board podcast for a fun and funny top 10 list of games we’d play with the Apostle Paul. With plenty of laughs, some questionable picks, and a few vetoes along the way, this crossover episode is one you won’t want to miss.

Website: https://lovethynerd.com/podcastnetwork/christian-board-gamers/