Lighthouse United Ministry Church in Boca Grande, Florida was on the lookout for a program that would get kids excited about church and increase attendance. Since the church is situated on a small island, it also needed fun after-school activities that would cater to all the community kids, since no other centers existed.

Obie is an interactive projector that is designed to engage kids and make learning fun through immersive educational games and activities. When Kathy Peters, the Family Ministry Coordinator at Lighthouse UMC, first saw Obie on Facebook, she immediately thought, “I need to have that!” She knew Obie would be a great way to start off Sunday classes and would also “help get out that pent-up energy that they have after school.”

It didn't take long for Kathy to secure the funds to purchase Obie. She was able to easily sell the idea to the church's sponsors, and within just 2-3 days, the money was in place to buy the device.

When the kids at the church first saw Obie, their eyes lit up. According to Kathy, it took them only 2 seconds to get into the games and start exploring. Noticing Obie’s popularity in the church's after-school program, Kathy decided to start a new program (the “W.A.G. Club”) with Obie as its centerpiece. The kids couldn't get enough of it.

Obie truly shined during Hurricane Ian. When the hurricane hit the island, it caused devastating damage to the local preschool. The church gladly took in the preschool students for a couple of months and Obie was a match made in heaven. As the kids laughed and squealed and took turns on the games, the preschool director kept saying “We need one!”

Kathy would definitely recommend Obie to others. “The enjoyment is immeasurable,” she says. “It's so easy. It doesn't take any planning. You just turn it on and play. It's just a win-win.” If you're looking for a fun and interactive way to get kids excited about learning and church activities, Obie is definitely worth considering.