I’ve always looked forward to ComicCon, but this year, it was more than just an event for me. It became a window into a deeper truth. In fact, telling this story has brought me to tears twice this week.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve been able to bring some young people with me to these conventions—individuals in their late teens and early twenties, who struggle with serious mental health and social challenges. And every time, I’m reminded of why digital ministries like mine, focused on nerd-culture and gaming, are so important.

The Struggles They Face
These young people, though some of the most creative and intelligent individuals I’ve encountered, face challenges that can make everyday life feel unbearable. One is on the autism spectrum, struggling to communicate in social situations. Another experiences gender dysphoria, and just walking through public spaces can trigger panic attacks. Others find it hard to be in crowds, battling intense anxiety that can overwhelm them in an instant.

It’s not just the mental health struggles that weigh them down; it’s the constant feeling of being misunderstood by those around them. Whether it’s at school, with friends, or even family, they can’t share their interests or passions without fear of judgment or mockery. Cosplay, anime, tabletop RPGs, collecting, and gaming are seen as “weird” or “childish” by people who don’t get it. It’s enough to make them want to hide.

The Call to Belonging
Yet, despite all of this, when ComicCon rolls around, something changes. They carefully put on their cosplay, paint their faces, and excitedly plan how they’ll interact with strangers—things they’d never do anywhere else. But here? Here, they’re safe. Here, they are celebrated. They enter the vendor hall and artist alley, a chaotic, colourful, noisy, and massive space packed with fans, vendors, and artists as far as the eye can see.

But the energy and excitement of the event are overwhelming. Sometimes, they don’t even last an hour before they need a break. I see it happen—suddenly, the noise is too much, the crowd feels too close, and they retreat to a quiet corner to regroup. But then, as soon as they feel ready, they head back in, because the draw to belong to this community is stronger than the urge to flee.

The Emotional Cost
On the drive home, it’s a different story. The energy that got them through the event is gone, replaced by exhaustion, anxiety, and emotional collapse. I look in the rearview mirror and see the toll it’s taken: one is curled up in the fetal position, completely shut down, while another has disassociated entirely, no longer present in the moment. The car is quiet, not because they don’t want to talk, but because they are utterly spent.

These are young people who avoid feeling this way at all costs. They keep themselves distanced from most crowds, staying home where it’s safe and manageable. So why do they push themselves like this? Why do they choose to walk into a situation they know will leave them so vulnerable?

The Power of Belonging
The answer is simple: they do it because they need to belong. They crave a place where they are understood, where they can be themselves without fear or judgment. And for them, ComicCon is that place. It’s a space where their interests aren’t just tolerated, but celebrated. It’s a community where they can drop the masks they wear in everyday life and simply be.

But here’s the thing: spaces like ComicCon are rare. For many, these moments of belonging are few and far between. The same people who thrive for a day at ComicCon go back to a world where they don’t fit in, where they’re misunderstood, and where the things they love are mocked.

Why Digital Ministries Matter
This is where digital and nerd-culture ministries come in. There are countless young people (and many who are not-so-young) like those I’ve brought to ComicCon, who feel isolated and alone because they don’t fit into traditional spaces. They need a place where they can connect, where their struggles are acknowledged, and where their passions are celebrated. That’s why I believe so strongly in what I and many other digital ministries do. These online spaces are more than just playing games or talking about nerd culture—they’re about creating a space where people can belong.

The church, in many ways, has struggled to reach these individuals, often because they don’t understand their world. But through nerd-culture-friendly Christian online communities, we have an opportunity to bridge that gap. We can provide a safe place for those who feel ostracized to come as they are, to be part of a community that loves them for who they are, and to encounter the love of God in a way that speaks their language.

Conclusion:
The young people I brought to ComicCon are a reminder of why this work is so important. They are a part of the growing number of individuals who feel like outsiders in their own lives but find a sense of home in online and nerd-culture communities. My hope is that through my XtianNinja live streams and all we do through TACO, we can continue to reach the lost, the lonely, and the disenfranchised, showing them that they are not alone and that they are loved, both by us and by a God who understands them completely.