Regent Alum Launches 'LightGliders' Game And Book Series For Kids

LIGHTGLIDERS

Kids spend over 25% of their time engaging in digital activities – watching videos, playing video games, and engaging in social media, primarily on TVs, smartphones, and tablets. This translates into more than 7 hours per day – more than 2 full days each week! - (Dubit Trends Report 2024) Since kids spend a lot of time during their formative years being shaped by video games and screen time, Zach wanted to redeem this time with positive game play and Bible based activities that encourage family connections throughout the week. 

In 2009, he created Lightgliders, a virtual world of Christian faith, games, community, and story-based adventures. The three goals of this digital playground are to RESPECT, RESCUE, and RESTORE. These goals reflect God’s love for us and His plan for the world.  

The virtual world consists of the following:

•
A Kid's Game - Kids get to create a character, play games, explore, solve puzzles, attend virtual events, and experience an always-expanding on-line world. As kids create their character and play Lightgliders, they meet seven leaders from different nations and times in history, who serve as guides in the game. 

• An Engaging Story - Lightgliders is an interactive parable, where kids enter the virtual world of Glideon and go on missions. As a result, kids discover the story of God's love revealed in the Bible and substantiated by the person of Jesus Christ.

• A Welcoming Community - Using a multi-layered safe chat system, Lightgliders allows kids to enter a welcoming environment, connect with others, and attend virtual events, such as Bible studies and prayer meetings. Lightgliders is a virtual children's ministry with a calendar of daily hangouts, weekly events, and monthly parties.

The virtual world of Lightgliders is now in its 10th year. In 2024, more than 12,000 kids actively participated in the platform and completed more than 80,000 pieces of discipleship content. Zach hopes, “The virtual world encourages biblical faith, positive values, and meaningful conversations among kids and families.” *Fees associated with this virtual world are outlined on the website www.Lightgliders.com.

LIGHTGLIDER ORIGINS SERIES

Lightgliders created a middle grade fiction book series to cultivate the spiritual imaginations of kids anchored by a biblical worldview. Bryce and the Lost Pearl is the first of seven books in the Lightglider Origins series geared towards kids ages 8-14. The series, written by Derek Holser and Zach Fay, is about teens from different time periods and locations around the world who are transported to the mystical land of Glideon to become Lightgliders. It is based on the characters and story found in the Lightgliders online platform. The goal is to promote a Christian worldview and positive values through relatable characters and adventures. Here is a summary of the book which is set in current day Victor Harbor, Australia:

Life is full of responsibilities for fifteen-year-old Bryce Holland. Between working at his uncle’s horse stables, playing his newly earned spot on the varsity basketball team, and leading a Bible study, the juggling act of his life is on the verge of a crash. For starters, an injury ends his season prematurely, then the girl Bryce likes starts

hanging out with the guy who caused his sprained ankle. All the stress sends Bryce over the edge, and he thunders away on his uncle’s Clydesdale without permission. When the horse gets away from him, the search to find the missing animal sends Bryce wandering deep through the woods and into a strange new land. Bryce suddenly finds himself in the alternate realm of Glideon where he meets other teens who have been tasked with rescuing Gliddles from an army of Machines that threaten the land. Along the way, Bryce and his new friends discover the mysterious pearl that will guide them in their journey to resurrect Lightglider Academy, rescue the Gliddles, and restore the land. 

“Through these books, we hope to anchor the spiritual imagination of this next generation upon the truth, beauty, and goodness of a biblical worldview,” shares Zach. “We want kids worldwide to catch a vision for how they were uniquely made to shine.” Kids can visit www.lightgliders.com/lightgliderorigins/bryce for additional games and activities with Bryce. The next book in the series is Tambika and the Shield of Wisdom coming in the fall of 2025.

ABOUT ZACH

Zach grew up in a Christian home and met Christ through his relationship with his dad.  His father, Charlie Fay, who died in 2023, was a longtime member of the CBN Board of Directors. Each night, Charlie shared scriptures with Zach. As a result, Zach gave his life to the Lord when he was a young boy.
He didn’t have many Christian friends until college and learned over the years that his testimony was unique in that he met Christ at home in his bedroom.  Zach wondered how we could encourage more discipleship in the home between kids and those who care about them the most. 

While at Regent, Zach was doing research for one of his classes.  His professor, Dr. Umidi, reminded Zach that life transformations take place through pivotal experiences, like mission trips, youth camps and meaningful conversations where seeds of truth and purpose are planted in a child’s life. Zach also discovered that kids were digitally connected today more than they ever have been.  “I saw that kids loved digital gaming and felt burdened to find a way to impact kids before their teenage years,” says Zach. So, he decided to create a digital playground that also equips parents with tools to start conversations with their kids when they are the most impressionable.      

Zach was still unsure what he wanted to do after grad school, but after he shared the idea with his sister, Julie, she said, “If you move back to St. Louis, I will help you.” That Christmas, Zach says his dad gave him a simple Christmas card which read: “Pursue this dream, love, Dad.”  Zach says that was a blessing from his father that changed the course of the next season of his life.  

For more information on 'LightGliders' or to purchase the game click the LINK! 

CREDITS

Coauthor, Bryce and the Lost Pearl from the Lightglider Origins series, (New Growth Press, 2025); Creator, Lightgliders, a virtual world of Christian faith, games, and community for kids; Worked in youth ministry, Christian music management, and management consulting; MDiv & MBA, Regent University; Married to Margaret; Four children