Persecuted Church

Introduction
Freedom of worship is not available in many nations. In fact, like the early church there are many places where the church is persecuted and Christians are not allowed to meet together publicly. Sometimes called "Communist church", I prefer to call it persecuted church because communist countries are not the only places where the church is persecuted!

Game Description
Youth try to find the church without getting caught!

Game Materials
Flashlight and large church or educational compound. This game works best in a school or church with numerous rooms and with limited access in and out of the building. Camps work great too! It is best at night and with the lights off. There is a great little video you can use as an introduction at http://www.vimeo.com/219359

Game Preparation

1. Shut the doors to all the rooms in the building.
2. Lock selected doors and those in which youth should not enter for safety or other reasons. Unlocked doors are free to be entered by the youth.
3. Switch on a flashlight and place it in one of the open rooms, shining, but not in an obvious way. Most importantly it should not be visible from outside the room or so bright than if the door was opened it would be obvious it was there. It is best to put it in a cardboard box, shine it into a can, or cover it with a cloth so that the light is muted. The light should only be discoverable if you are really looking hard for it... i.e. it should be VERY DIFFICULT to find!

Game Play

1. The flashlight represents the church. The objective for the youth is to find the light.
2. When a youth finds the light, they are not allowed to touch it or move it, but must hide in the same room so that no one knows they are there. If someone new enters the room they must remain hidden and not reveal themselves in any way.
3. The game ends when 10 people find the light and are in the same room.
4. Leaders must patrol the building hallways, but are not allowed to enter the rooms. Their role is to catch the youth or tag them while they are in the hallways.
5. If a youth is tagged by a leader, they must go quietly and be escorted out of the building and locked out. One door to the building will be unlocked at all times but that door will change frequently. Regularly lock and unlock doors to the building. Youth must find their way back into the building.

Discussion
Great for a discussion on religious persecution!