@lovethynerd
Love Thy Nerd
Love Nerds + Engage Culture + Build Community

NCMU 48 | David Gustafson: How One Summit Launched a Multiplying Ministry

 and 
Mar 5, 2026
Podcasts
Top Ad Banner
AD

SHOW NOTES

Board games aren’t just fun—they can be ministry.

On this episode of the NCMU Podcast, Bubba welcomes David Gustafson, who shares how discovering NCMS through Storyland Studios and attending his first summit in Marble Falls sparked a new vision for nerd culture ministry. David talks about launching “Nerd Nights” at his church, building a five-person team, and leading Love Thy Nerd mission trips to PAX Unplugged. Now a network leader in the Nerd Culture Ministry Collective, he encourages listeners to use what they love to live out the Great Commission.

youtube
discord
relive ncms


Love what you just read? Get more LTN!

Episode Hosts

Bubba Stallcup
CEO + PRESIDENT + FOUNDER
Bubba is the CEO, President and Founder of LTN, host of the Free Play Podcast and the Church Nerds Podcast. He is also a full-time Nerd-Culture Missionary. Bubba, and his wonderful wife Anna, have 4 children who are pretty good most of the time. A communal gamer at heart who loves to get in and play games with other people #gameNightIStheRightNight

Episode Guests

David Gustafson

Episode Links

Check out Mark on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thelift
Check out Lux Digital Church: https://www.luxdigitalchurch.com/
Check out Bubba on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bubba_ltn

Email Mark to connect or to ask about getting on the show: Mark@luxdigitalchurch.com

Episode Discussion

Related Content

CBG 54 | Sin Has Tentacles

 and 
Oct 6, 2026
Podcasts
Joe and Ray review Kings of Israel and discuss Christian sanctification, dealing with sin, grace, identity in Christ, and what it means to pursue righteousness without falling into self-condemnation.

LTN Pulse 36 | Building Community One Board Game at a Time (w/ Bill Ivie)

 and 
Sep 28, 2026
Podcasts
Michael talks with Bill Ivie, Love Thy Nerd’s new Director of IRL Events, about board games, Dungeon Crawler Carl, conventions, and nerd culture ministry.

LTN Pulse 35 | What Does “Missions” Look Like at a Board Game Convention? (w/ Daniel Cobin)

 and 
Sep 14, 2026
Podcasts
Daniel Cobin joins LTN Pulse to talk about becoming Love Thy Nerd’s Associate Director of Missions, serving at board game conventions, Essen Spiel, Game Conjunction, and building community through tabletop gaming.

CBG 52 | Rolling Dice, Fighting Fear & Trusting God

 and 
Sep 8, 2026
Podcasts
Joe and Ray play Rolling in Wonderland while exploring Christian discernment, decision-making, trusting God, overcoming fear, and finding wisdom through Scripture and Christian community.

WWJP 1 | Top 10 Board Games to Play with Jesus

 and 
Sep 3, 2026
Podcasts
Daniel and Joe explore what board games Jesus might play by connecting tabletop games with His life, parables, teachings, discipleship, and Christian virtues.

Pull List 131 | Batman V. Everyone?: The Unpowered Superhero Bracket

Sep 2, 2026
Podcasts
Hector and CJ review their latest comic pulls, discuss the faith themes in Spider-Man/Hulk: Fire and Brimstone, and bracket Batman, Nightwing, Black Widow, and more to crown the best unpowered superhero.

Save & Continue 21 | The Cost of Entertainment

 and 
Aug 28, 2026
Podcasts
Steve and Kyle discuss child actors, exploitation in entertainment, parasocial relationships, reality TV, fandom, and how Christians can enjoy pop culture without losing sight of the people behind it.

CBG 51 | Torchbearers: Faith, Board Games & Being Present

 and 
Aug 25, 2026
Podcasts
Joe and Ray talk Gen Con, relational ministry, sharing the gospel through genuine connection, Ray’s latest movie experience, and the trick-taking game Torchlit on the Christian Board Gamers Podcast.
Search Love Thy Nerd