When Philipp Bonin realized that church planters weren't "super Christians" but simply people willing to take risks for something new, everything changed. Today, he's pioneering Germany's first church specifically designed for the nerd community, a vibrant subculture of 300,000 people in the Frankfurt region who find identity in fictional worlds, gaming, fantasy literature, and Japanese culture.

From DJ-Evangelist to Church Planter

Philipp's path wasn't conventional. After a childhood faith disrupted by his parents' divorce, he experienced a powerful recommitment to Christ and decided to study theology. But seminary felt overwhelming—until he discovered his unique calling as a DJ-evangelist, combining his love for music with passionate evangelism. "I saw church planters as these super Christians I could never become," Philipp reflects. "Then I realized they're just people like me who are willing to take risks."

The breakthrough came during a difficult season. Emerging from depression in 2019, Philipp and his wife Annika were ready for a fresh start. When Kelly Seeley from MainProjekt called with an unexpected job opportunity in Frankfurt, everything aligned. Working in media and administration for the church planting network, Philipp encountered real church planters for the first time. "We quickly realized that this image I had of church planters being super Christians just wasn't true. They're sinful people who make mistakes too—they just have a certain level of risk tolerance and enthusiasm for new things."

Vision for Frankfurt's Nerd Community

The vision crystallized during COVID lockdowns: nerds need a church designed specifically for them. "Nerds are people who invest more effort into specific niches than normal, especially fictional worlds—books, video games, films, anime, fantasy," Philipp explains. "They're searching for three things: nostalgia, belonging, and escape from everyday life. The Gospel provides incredible answers to all these needs, and it all culminates in the search for identity."

What makes NERCH unique isn't exclusivity—it's intentional design. "Everything with us is tailored for nerds. If you're not a nerd, you'll probably still feel welcome, but you might not understand a lot because we really focus on nerds." This includes their hybrid online-physical approach, natural to nerd culture where "everything happens both online and in person."

Building Community Through Shared Passion

NERCH gathers in Philipp and Annika's living room, a space they now realize God provided specifically for this purpose. Every two weeks, they host "After-Work Gaming" sessions where people simply play games Together, then grab döner afterward. "There's no devotion, no prayer. It's just hanging out, getting to know people, deepening friendships, and celebrating nerd culture."

Their monthly worship services blend online and in-person participation through live chat, creating genuine community across digital and physical spaces. "For us, there's no such thing as 'not real life'—both are real, and both are one church." During services, Philipp encourages people to have their phones out, engaging with the live chat where he sometimes interrupts his sermon to respond to online comments.

The strategy is refreshingly simple: "We serve where we are. We're all nerds but with different specialties. I tell my team: keep doing what you're already doing, just consciously bring Jesus into it." Philipp connects with people through gaming streams and Magic: The Gathering tournaments, while Annika builds relationships through fantasy book communities.

Momentum and Multiplication

The transformation has been remarkable. Before going hybrid, NERCH attracted 3-5 people per Sunday service. Since launching online, they average 20-30 participants, with 50 attending their Christmas service. More significantly, they recently celebrated their first conversion—someone who rediscovered faith through NERCH's authentic community.

Their leadership team reflects the community's diversity: Philipp and Annika (both 31) mentor Laura and Anton (19 and 20), bridging generational gaps while maintaining authentic nerd culture connections. "Anton and Laura bring completely different ideas. It's super good to have that age range because the average nerd in Germany is between 32 and 36, but we also reach younger people."

Looking Forward: Digital Pioneering

NERCH currently streams on Twitch, where they're Germany's only church presence on the gaming platform. "This won't last long because others are noticing it works well," Philipp notes. "It'll soon become a race. I'm not talking about competition; I'm thrilled when others join, but it can help to be pioneers."

Their vision includes establishing an online studio in Frankfurt for expanded digital ministry. The need is urgent and the opportunity immense: "In our scene, money directly correlates with reach. The nerd world is a strong entertainment industry; with more resources, we could reach significantly more people through enhanced online presence, better technology, and additional staff."

Real Challenges, Real Dependence

Church planting among Frankfurt's nerds isn't without significant challenges. "We experience a lot of spiritual attack in our team, especially health-wise," Philipp shares candidly. "My biggest point of attack is simply my body; I constantly have symptoms that are unexplainable by doctors, though I'm healthy. But it can still be exhausting."

The challenges extend beyond Philipp. Annika has faced recent health struggles, while their young leaders Laura and Anton navigate intense personal battles in their families and private lives. "You really notice that the leaders' private lives are being attacked. Someone is trying to shake things up."

Team dynamics feel the pressure too. During a recent gaming convention in Cologne with 3,000 attendees, exactly their target audience, the leadership team found themselves snapping at each other from frayed nerves. "In the end, it was just a spiritual attack. We could feel someone trying to rattle us."

Financial pressures add another layer of complexity. "We have supporters, which is super good, but we need more money. That's just a fact," Philipp admits. "In our scene, it's especially frustrating because with money, we could reach more people. The nerd world is a strong entertainment industry—more resources directly equals more reach."

Perhaps the greatest challenge is patience. "Church planters are naturally people who like to see quick results, who like to rush sometimes. You have to learn to be patient with yourself because ultimately, Jesus sets the pace, and you have to go with that. Some things he does much faster than you expected, others much slower."

Partnership and Prayer

Despite these challenges, or perhaps because of them, NERCH thrives through international support. Calvary Church in Winston-Salem provides not just financial backing but genuine friendship that "feels like home." Their innovative WhatsApp prayer groups (128 German speakers, 90 English speakers) provide real-time updates and immediate prayer support, creating meaningful connections between global supporters and local ministry.

Current Prayer Needs:

• Protection and health for the leadership team amid ongoing spiritual attacks

• Emotional stability and family peace

• Continued spiritual growth for new believers entering discipleship

• Financial breakthrough for online studio and staff expansion

• Patience and trust in God's timing amid growth pressures

Partnership Opportunities:

• Short-term mission trips (with openness to nerd culture)

• Internship placements for those passionate about reaching subcultures

• Financial partnerships with churches ready to support pioneering digital ministry

• Team members willing to use their hobbies—gaming, fantasy literature, anime—to build authentic relationships

"My biggest prayer request is simple: I want nerds to know Jesus," Philipp shares. "And ultimately, I want nerds who come to faith to go out and reach other nerds, creating something entirely their own. That's true multiplication."

Through NERCH, Philipp demonstrates that the Gospel transcends cultural boundaries, creating authentic community where people find both belonging and identity in Christ—whether they're casting spells in fantasy games or discovering the ultimate story of redemption.