Frequently asked questions

If you have other questions, please email hello@indigitous.sg or join our Telegram chat!

What is Indigitous #HACK?

Indigitous #HACK is a global missional hackathon. Since its debut in 2016, approximately 3,200 participants have gathered in 69 different cities to work on 225 missional projects. Some of the previous projects have included a #HACK Iloilo (Philippines) team creating a tool to help every orphan in the city get placed in a home, teams in Singapore and ​Chișinău (​Moldova) collaborating on a website to reduce suicides, a team at #HACK Hilversum (Netherlands) creating a VR game showing the life of Jesus, and more.

In Singapore’s #HACK2019 last year, over 105 participants and mentors came together to work on 4 different challenges presented by different organisations. 9 different teams were formed, with ideas ranging from native language apps to chat apps for Christians. A missional report can be accessed here: www.ndgt.sg/reports/hack2019.

What is a hackathon?

A hackathon is an event in which computer programmers, designers, strategists and marketeers join others in the field of software development to collaborate intensively on projects. The hacking at the center of the event is all about creating quick, creative programming solutions to a problem — taking the “road less traveled” to reach a destination in a new or different way.

What will participants work on?

This year, there are no fixed challenges. Instead, participants will be facilitated to share  about the different people groups that God has placed in their hearts, and to ideate different ways to reach and bring hope and/or help to them.

The Spirit and the bride say, “come”. And let the one who hears say, “come”.And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

  • Revelations 22:17

The message we want to proclaim is “Come” (from Revelations 22:17). Come carries with it a sense of invitation, a feeling of being welcomed and love. It is a word that focuses on tearing down barriers and creating access between people. Many a time, the Church has built walls and kept people out rather than tearing it down so that people might come and hear. How can we allow people to come to hear the gospel? How can we prepare the way for the Lord in their hearts? The answer is love.

Find out more in the Challenge and Vision page.

I work in a church / missional organisation. How can I be involved?

Join us for Missions in the New Norm – a short 1-hour webinar for us to share more about Digital Missions and how #HACK plays a part in driving Digital Missions. It’s happening on 16 Sep, 2020, and you can register here: www.ndgt.sg/newnorm

If you feel the same calling as we do – we invite you to send your people or form teams to join #HACK2020. You could also help us share with others about the event using this Publicity Kit! 

If you are not able to participate in #HACK2020 but would still like to observe or experience it  , you are invited to visit #HACK2020 during the Opening Night (16 Oct 2020, 7pm) and also during the final Presentations Session (18 Oct 2020, 5pm). Please RSVP here for both sessions. 

What would happen during #HACK, and what can I expect?

During Indigitous #HACK2020, participants will work in teams to create new solutions to the challenges of reaching the unreached.

There are also a number of pre-recorded design-thinking and product-thinking workshops, speakers with a missional focus, worship sessions and community-bonding events that both equip participants and enrich their experience, and help them form spiritually supportive and enjoyable relationships that keep them on the journey of Digital Missions.

At the end of #HACK2020, teams will have a chance to pitch and share their ideas. While competition is introduced as an element of engagement, the heart is for teams to share their ideas and encourage each other. 

For further details, check out the programme page.

Who is #HACK For?

#HACK participants typically have skillsets in Web Development, Design, UX, Data Engineering, Software Engineering, System Design, Marketing, Project/Product Management.

However, the hackathon is open to everyone. In fact, we have had #HACKers that were from a non-digital background, and won awards!

What Does One Get from #HACK?

A community of friends (John 13:3) -> A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Proverbs 11:24-25 -> One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

Acts 20:35 – In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

What is Indigitous?

Indigitous is a local and global community of believers from 4 broad backgrounds (tech, design, strategy/innovation, media), engaging one another with ideas to advance God’s Kingdom in the digital space.

We are keen to bring like-minded folks together and grow our connections to fellow brothers and sisters who would like to do the same. One of the ways we do that is through #HACK, a missional hackathon engaging with challenges from ministries ministering to groups that burden His heart, such as suicidal people, red light workers, child abuse victims etc, and also with a missional focus. We’ve worked with local organisations such as Tamar Village, World Vision, Focus on the Family, CRU (Campus Crusade), and more.

God has placed in our hearts a vision that missional work can go beyond the traditional; that some efforts are ground-up, that is, from the everyday Christian, and can be in the digital realm where millions of souls now spend a big chunk of their time. We want to build a platform that helps Christians grow closer to God through fellowship and working for His kingdom, using the talents He gave us.

The core team organising efforts here in Singapore comprises of 15 people, from different churches and different backgrounds, but united in Him.

Thoughts from Past Participants

“The event reminded me that there can be unity without uniformity. It brought together people from different denominations, diff walks of life, cultures and talents. Further emphasised that the Gospel is what unites us believers first… and that as long as we come to love and know God for who He is, we’ll know how to love His people as He inspires us. #HACK was more than just a tech event for me.” Julia

#HACK 2019 Participant, Team Hidden Ventures

“The project I’m working is new, as are my team members, but I’m still glad that I didn’t miss this opportunity. I think the underlying heart behind every hackathon is to use technology to bridge and/or advance these social issues. We hope to raise awareness of these issues and connect those who are struggling with others who can help them overcome what they’re going through.” Jia Chen, 22

#HACK 2018 Participant

“We signed up as a team of engineers, designers and computer scientists from Zion Serangoon Bible Presbyterian Church. I heard about Indigitous and was really keen to participate in it because it sounded really special because it was a Christian hackathon. There’s a very different emphasis and focus here and I can see that it’s not about coding for yourself. It’s about coding with love for people. That’s what sets it apart.” Si Han, 22

#HACK 2018 and 2019 Participant, Team Squadra

I think it’s a great start but to really be useful the projects should continue. One cool thing was that unlike other competitions, we were praying for the other teams to do well! We felt that we were all one big team building different aspects of one Kingdom we all share together. Such a sweet feeling of unity in heart.” Tiana

#HACK 2019 Participant, Team KaiTalk

 Behind every screen is a person, and that person is in need of the Gospel. May our hearts be open to see what God sees.