The First Christian Metaverse in the World
“Values need to be guarded; they don’t come around by default,” Patrick Bezalel told Thirst magazine, “The right values and culture can be like a city of refuge.” Together with his wife Lily, the faith-based artist has been delving into the latest digital frontier of Metaverse, cryptocurrency and NFTs, and their experience has left them concerned for the next generation. Perturbed by what they had seen, they knew they had to do something.
Take a dip in this digital space and you will quickly realize that these dominate the culture — greed, fear of missing out (FOMO), scams, lewdness, the list goes on. From her firsthand trial at different virtual worlds, Lily recognized the reality of the dangers as strip clubs and casinos are easily accessible since anonymity rules and the decentralised nature of these platforms often results in a lack of regulation. She added that the rise of online reports of Metaverse rape and violence are extremely alarming as the immersive experience can feel very real. With regards to cryptocurrency and NFTs, the couple found it hard to learn safely online too where scams and hacks are frequent and most people are only in it for quick gains.
It is no surprise that the well-meaning public are averse to these new technologies seeing its detrimental potential. Even amongst Christians, many are quick to vilify the Metaverse in the name of love and protection for our young ones. Nonetheless, the artist and his wife braved the doubts and started a Christian NFT project called “Meh-taverse” last year and they are still stepping on the accelerator, preparing to build possibly the first ever Christian Metaverse in the world as we speak.
“We want to take ground and provide an alternative place where there is safe play and learning,” Patrick explains their strategy. He asserts that it is precisely because they care for the next generation that they are entering the Metaverse. As technology advances, they believe the world will see a mass migration into the Metaverse and the solution is not trying to resist the inevitable but confronting it head-on. Just as it is impossible to tell youths to give up social media, so will the Metaverse soon pervade society and interweave the lives of all.
Land of Promise is the couple’s ambitious offer — a Christian Metaverse that integrates play and learning using attractive cutting-edge technology while ensuring the preservation of godly values. Built on NFT Worlds, it leverages on the Minecraft ecosystem, which allows a staggering 141 million active Minecraft players to access the world. The blockchain layer additionally enables Web3 functions like the trading of NFTs.
Land of Promise presents a borderless world where the household of faith across the globe can meet and experience Christianity like never before. Reimagine bible study as you explore the tabernacle of Moses or walk where Jesus did in the famous sites of Israel. There is also a futuristic urban city where you can visit churches, art galleries, scripture meditation gardens, and even fellowship with your friends in your private waterfront bungalow. Patrick has generously gifted a plot of land to every MEH holder too, that is his genesis NFT collection “Meh-taverse”.
The pioneering couple stressed that their endeavor requires the concerted support of fellow believers. To help onboard churches and ministries into this daunting new space, this will serve as a learning ground for them to be versed in the expansive and multi-faceted Web3. For instance, they can own a piece of land as an NFT and learn what it is like to do ministry and experiment with fresh and unique church experiences on the Metaverse. This unprecedented packaging of a Christian Metaverse will surely attract curious onlookers from outside of the faith too, creating a new era of evangelism. Lily the visionary wife sums it up well in these words, “The platform changes throughout generations but the assignment stays the same — preach the Gospel and love people.”
You can support the building of Land of Promise by keeping the team in prayer or minting a MEH here, which entitles you to receive a free plot of land.
To learn more about Patrick Bezalel and his projects:
