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Beauty, Emotional Manipulation, & Guilt: Unforgettable Moments from This Week’s Streams
Every week on stream, I encounter a variety of meaningful moments that don’t always make it to my YouTube videos or articles but are too valuable to keep to myself. These moments range from spontaneous interactions, where someone drops in with a burning question, to insightful conversations sparked by gameplay, and even prepared content…
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A Police Officer’s Struggle with Taking Lives: Overcoming Moral Injury
During one of my recent live streams, I had the profound opportunity to speak with a female military police officer from Turkey who is also Muslim. She shared her deeply personal struggle with guilt after taking lives in the line of duty. This courageous officer opened up about the immense weight she carried and…
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XtianNinja’s Story: From Traditional Ministry to Digital Outreach (My Testimony/Biography)
In crafting this comprehensive story, I drew from a multitude of sources, including personal experiences, podcast transcripts, interviews, and testimonials. With the assistance of ChatGPT, I’ve been able to weave these elements together into a cohesive narrative. This is the story of my journey, from traditional pastoral ministry to becoming XtianNinja, a digital missionary…
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The Hidden Digital Mission Field: Unseen People and Unmet Needs
I recently gave a talk to a group of pastors at the Alliance Assembly 2024 and wanted to share it with you as I think it will serve as a helpful article to send to pastors and churches who struggle to appreciate or understand content creation and nerd-culture in general. Here is a link…
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Conference Recap: Fellowship, Inspiration, and New Connections
I just got back from the conference and wanted to give a quick report while it was fresh in my mind. This is a brief summary of what happened but if you’re curious about some more details (including pics and videos!) check out my channel on the TACO Discord. Day 1: Arrival and Initial…
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Taking A Big, Scary Leap
First, welcome to everyone from Ko-Fi who’s transitioning from the newsletter over there to here! I know there have been a lot of site changes over the past few years as I’ve been growing, so it means a lot to have you leapfrog one more time. ♥ I just did something that freaks me…
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The Biggest Frustration & Hurdle to Leap as a Digital Ministry
Digital ministries are beset with a myriad of challenges. Ever-changing technology, high-level skillsets, creative thinking, long hours, fighting algorithms, making high-quality, competitive content, counselling and community building through text, following up with vulnerable viewers, and more… but when I think about the most difficult thing I’ve had to face in my two years in…
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2022 XN Year in Review: From Foundation to Framework
Introduction Like many others, 2022 was a year of ups and downs for me and my ministry work. It began with the sudden death of my second-born son which led to a series of difficult months, but throughout them all, my local church and online communities were there with support and encouragement for my…
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My All-Time Favourite Non-Fiction & Fiction Books (Two Top Tens!)
‘Tis the season for Top 10 Lists, so here are two of them! My favourite non-fiction, Christian books – and my favourite fiction books. I take time to explain why I chose them, what they mean to me, and a little about them. Here’s the lists: Non-Fiction List: Fiction List I Need Your Support…
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Proven Productivity Practices
Do you ever feel like you’ve got a million great content creation ideas, but struggle to get any of them done? Here are 6 things you need to be doing in order to maximize your creativity, grow your influence, and reach the people you’re trying to bring your content to. Plus, I share TACO…
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“I’m Struggling with EVERYTHING…” (A Twitch Chat Counselling Moment)
A viewer came into my chat a few minutes into the stream with some struggles and looking for prayer. It led to some interesting discussions, open hearts, a bunch of sharing, and some (hopefully) helpful pastoral advice. Podcast: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Im-Struggling-with-EVERYTHING—-A-Twitch-Chat-Counselling-Moment-e1pi6nq I Need Your Support I’m doing this full-time and the only way I can keep…
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A Minecraft Server for Content Creators!
The Planet T.A.C.O. Minecraft Server will allow you to join with creators around the world whose values and commitment match your own and give you a place to invite your most loyal supporters! The Alliance for Creative Outreach (TACO) exists to share God’s love with the lost, lonely and disenfranchised by uniting and equipping…
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9 Ways to Build Your Confidence
Everyone who creates has times when they struggle with motivation and confidence – sometimes so debilitating that it causes them to stop creating altogether! Whether you are a Twitch Streamer, YouTuber, Digital Artist, Musician, Cook, or any other type of creative, here are 9 practical ways to boost your confidence so you can get…
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A Very Personal Video – Why Streaming is So Important to Me
In this very personal video, Al (XtianNinja) Descheneau shares his heart, story, and reason for working so hard to bring the gospel to people who can only be reached through online ministry. You will learn why he has such a special concern for the lost, lonely, and disenfranchised on Twitch and what you can…
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Twitch Chat Tips: How To Keep the Conversation Going
Despite how critical it is to consistently engage with people in chat, especially when newcomers drop in, it’s not always easy to keep a conversation going. Here are some helpful tips to keep the banter moving! I Need Your Support I’m doing this full-time and the only way I can keep it up is…
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Hey, Christian Content Creators! Check out The T.A.C.O. Network!!!
What is T.A.C.O. and how do we serve content creators and consumers all over the world? The Alliance for Creative Outreach (TACO) Serves the lost by creating a welcoming community that unites and equips a network of world-changing Christian content creators across multiple platforms. https://taconetwork.org/ https://www.twitch.tv/thetaconetwork I Need Your Support I’m doing this full-time…
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The Difference Between Devotions and Bible Study
There is a huge difference in approach between your personal devotional time and doing a personal Bible study, and knowing that difference is going to change everything about how you connect with God. XtianNinja explains the difference and then gives an example of what it looks like. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/The-Difference-Between-Devotions-and-Bible-Study-e1lak0r I Need Your Support…
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Start Here! (Intro & FAQ)
Hi! I’m Al (known on Twitch as XtianNinja), a pastor and full-time streamer and content creator from Canada who is working hard to serve the online community by mentoring content creators and building a meaningful online community through entertaining content, real talk, and teaching God’s truth. My heart is filled with excitement and thanksgiving every day because…
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Insane Christian Blogger Tries to Prove The Smurfs are EVIL!
Buckle up folks because this gets certifiably crazy as XtianNinja walks through the hilariously bonkers blog post “The Smurfs are Satanic!”. Come laugh along with us as we mock this insanity – and join us for stream sometime to watch this crazy stuff live!
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How long do you need to wait between sinning and praying?
What does it mean that we are “Free in Christ”? How free? Does that mean we can do whatever we want? Is there anything we can do to lose that freedom? How long do you have to wait between sinning and praying? Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/How-long-do-you-need-to-wait-between-sinning-and-praying-e1l57e9 I Need Your Support I’m doing this full-time and…
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Playing a Robot Mystery Game with our Crazy Voices!
Someone is causing A.I. Robots to disappear from the subway. We play a detective trying to figure out whodunit! There are lots of characters, great dialogue, funny bits, and a fascinating story. Here’s the first hour of play – with Theo and I doing the best voices we can!
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How to be MAXIMUM Christian!
What’s the secret to living for God – for REAL? What steps do we need to take in order to discover God’s plan for our lives and how to live it out in an effective and fruitful way? This message might help. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/How-to-be-MAXIMUM-Christian-e1kltm3 I Need Your Support I’m doing this full-time and…
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Where is God Anyway?
Each day on stream we take time to go through a Verse of the Day, explain its meaning, and find an application. This verse is a very encouraging one on the surface, but what does it mean, really? Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Where-is-God-Anyway–And-What-Does-it-Mean-that-God-is-With-You-e1kikto I Need Your Support I’m doing this full-time and the only way I…
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What Makes Jesus Special?
What does it mean that Jesus had the “fullness of God” and why is that such a big deal to Christians? What does it mean that Jesus is Preeminent? Join in as XtianNinja (Pastor Al) talks through Colossians 1:15-20 and answers those questions. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Jesus-is-e1kc64k I Need Your Support I’m doing this full-time…
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Christians: God Is NOT ANGRY at you when you sin!
Sometimes God has the reputation of being angry all the time – and a lot of people who grew up in the church were told that when they do something wrong God is disappointed and will come down on them hard if they don’t behave. Is that true? Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Christians-God-Is-NOT-ANGRY-at-you-when-you-sin-e1jogau I Need Your…
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When God Asks the Impossible
Sometimes life throws stuff at us that we just can’t handle. Illness, relationship issues, responsibilities, big needs, cause all of us to shrink back and ask ourselves, “Why would God bring this into my life?”. There are a lot of people who have faced the same situation. What are we to do? Podcast Version:…
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Is AWANA a “Christian Nationalist Child Indoctrination Cult”
@Ex-Fundie Diaries released a video outlining how the AWANA Clubs program isn’t just a fun church group, but a nefarious “Christian Nationalist Child Indoctrination Cult”. Is she right? What defines a cult? What’s up with all the weird stuff that goes on at AWANA anyway? XtianNinja, a pastor and former AWANA leader (and clubber)…
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Crazy Amazon Products, Insane Cakes, Wild Hairstyles! It’s Weird Wednesday!
Every Wednesday I seek out the craziest stuff on the internet, share them with the Twitch chat, and come up with hilarious comments! Check out this video and then come join us! I split my YouTube channels, so if you’re looking for the fun and games, subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC68gTkrvhX5MG0nzrpPtFKw I Need Your Support I’m doing…
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So Many Wonderful Things Happening! (Come Check Them Out!)
It’s been a while, so I thought it would be ok for me to update you on what’s been happening with my endeavour to serve and reach the lost, lonely, and disenfranchised locally and around the world through live streaming and content creation. With all the incredible things happening, I felt it was time…
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But What if They’re a Really Good Person?
If you’ve ever asked, “Do good people go to heaven?”, give this a watch: XtianNinja talks through the thought process we see in Romans 1-3 and explains why understanding it is critical to understanding what Christians call “salvation”. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/But-What-if-Theyre-a-Really-Good-Person-e1iplfr I split my YouTube channels, so if you’re looking for the fun and…
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Can Anyone Ever Actually Feel “Peace” in this Troubled World?
Everyone in the world wants “peace” – but when we try to make it ourselves it doesn’t seem to work very well or last very long. How does the peace that Jesus promises us in the Bible differ from the peace we keep trying to make for ourselves? Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Can-Anyone-Ever-Actually-Feel-Peace-in-this-Troubled-World-e1ikg2v I split my…
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You Shouldn’t Trust Yourself Most of the Time (Daily Devo)
Most of the time we believe the thoughts that bounce around our heads, thinking that our beliefs, opinions, perspectives, and ideas are right and best. Mature people know that’s not true and have realized that we really can’t trust our own hearts and minds. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/You-Shouldnt-Trust-Yourself-Most-of-the-Time-e1ihgn8 I split my YouTube channels, so if…
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We’re Putting Together a New and Different Kind of Christian Creator Network!
We’ve been thinking and talking about this for months now, but it seems to be time to start making this idea become a reality. If you’re tired of dead discords and pointless partnerships, give this a watch and then come chat about it with us. You can help us build the greatest Christian Creator…
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You’ve Probably Already Met Jesus – What Did You Do?
Jesus said that if you’ve met poor, sick, imprisoned, or hungry people, then “as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matt 25:40) and how you reacted to those people shows a lot about your heart and your faith. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Youve-Probably-Already-Met-Jesus—What-Did-You-Do—–It-Matters-more-Than-You-Think-e1hngbo I Need…
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“I HATE Easter and I love Christians” Tweet is Ridiculous! Twitch Pastor Reacts
Jo Luehmann tweeted out a pretty intense message declaring her love of Christians, but hatred for the Christian gospel. It just so happened that Logos’ Verse of the Day hit this topic perfectly. So, let’s talk about that through the lens of 1 Corinthians 15:19-20. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/I-HATE-Easter-and-I-love-Christians-Tweet-is-Ridiculous–Twitch-Pastor-Reacts-e1hgbeu I Need Your Support I’m doing…
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Does Everything Really “Work Out For the Good”?
Christians often quote Romans 8:28 (“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” to each other as a way to bring encouragement to someone going through a tough time. So, why then does it come as such cold…
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When Jesus Was Attacked by an Angry Mob! (Passion Week: Tuesday)
The leading men of Jerusalem took turns attacking, arguing, and trying to discredit Jesus, in hopes He would fall for their trap so they could accuse and kill Him. It didn’t work. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Jesus-Faces-an-Angry-Mob–Passion-Week-Tuesday-e1h6t0e I Need Your Support I’m doing this full-time and the only way I can keep it up is through…
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BUGS & COGS! – More Limbo Fun with Theseus (Part 5)
Theseus and I take on the most unsafe factory in the entire world! Who let a child in here!?!? I Need Your Support I’m doing this full-time and the only way I can keep it up is through support from folks like you – so please consider supporting me on Patreon. There are lots…
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Cursing Figs & Flipping Tables: Passion Week Monday
What do a dead fig tree and overturned tables have to do with worship? And what does it mean for us today? Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Cursing-Figs–Flipping-Tables-Passion-Week-Monday-e1h3psl I’m doing this full-time and the only way I can keep it up is through support from folks like you – so please consider supporting me on Patreon. There…
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Talking God, Games, Streaming & Nerds with FrostByteIV
FrostByteIV (from Love Thy Nerd) and I sit down to chat about what it means to be a Christian nerd, streamer, and gamer – and a dozen other nerdy things – in this extended conversation. It was so interesting, people kept subbing just to keep the conversation going! Watch Frost here: https://www.twitch.tv/frostbyteiv Podcast Version:…
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How Helping Me Can Help You (and Your Church!)
One of the most difficult parts of being a “pioneer missionary” is getting support through traditional channels. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “We recognize your call, love what you’re doing, and want to support you – but we have nowhere to officially plug you in. Sorry!” So, it occurs to…
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Hypocrites and Caregivers
There is a certain kind of “religious person” that thinks that they are God’s favourite – but are actually the kind of person He despises most! And, there are people serving the most difficult parts of society, who think God doesn’t notice them at all, that are some of His favourites! Which are you?…
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A Very Personal Update (& Devotional)
If you’re looking for it, I deleted today’s very personal stream VOD, but if you’re a supporter and are curious about what was up, I’ve put it up as a Patreon exclusive. Just FYI.https://patreon.com/xtianninja
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Do you have something that, if broken, would destroy a relationship?
What do you have in your life right now, that if someone broke it, took it, insulted or devalued it, you would cut off that relationship? What habit, tradition, or affiliation do you have that actually causes you to pull away from or even harm people? Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Do-you-have-something-that–if-broken–would-destroy-a-relationship-e1ga24s Bringing God’s love to the…
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What REAL Prayer Looks Like
New Video: Sometimes talking to God feels like a shopping list, complaint form, or even a 911 call – but does prayer mean something more? Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/What-REAL-Prayer-Looks-Like-e1g75e9 I’m doing this full-time and the only way I can keep it up is through support from folks like you – so please consider supporting me…
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Twitch Pastor Reacts to JaidenAnimation’s “Being Not Straight” Video *Mature Content*
JaidenAnimation’s “Being Not Straight” video lends itself to a lot of topics for discussion and XtianNinja takes on all of them in this 2-hour video. He talks about his own “asexual/aromantic” experiences, human sexuality, LGBTQ+ and the church, and more. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Reacting-to-JaidenAnimations-Being-Not-Straight-Video-Mature-Content-e1g3n87 I’m doing this full-time and the only way I can keep…
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Why I Gave Up Everything to Stream on Twitch (Reflections on my First Year as an Online Missionary)
This week I celebrated my very first “Streamiversary” and reading the parable of the two debtors had me thinking about why God called me away from church work into full-time online missions. Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Why-I-Gave-Up-Everything-to-Stream-on-Twitch-Reflections-on-my-First-Year-as-an-Online-Missionary-e1fvdt4 **When God called me to this new frontier of global missions, I knew that it wasn’t just for me…
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Is God Too Busy to Care About You?
We often hear that “God has better things to do” than help unimportant people like us – that He might be at work in the world, but only on the really big stuff. Is that true? Are you a priority to God or not? Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Is-God-Too-Busy-to-Care-About-You-e1fji1s **When God called me to this new…
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Why Someone Like You Matters to God
If God is so good and perfect, why would He care for messed up, violent, sinful people like us? What motivates Him to talk to us or to care for us? The answer might surprise you! Podcast Version: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Why-Someone-Like-You-Matters-to-God-e1fcv8i If you’d like to help me stay full-time please consider supporting me on Patreon. Every…
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Videos You May Have Missed!
Sometimes I’ve got so many videos to edit and post that I forget to put the links everywhere – so I need to make this little post to remind you to subscribe to my YouTube channel and tell you about some of the videos I forgot to post on the blog here. Tomb Raider…