-
“They Told My Friend to 💀 Themselves”
Ministry isn’t just happening in counselling offices and churches anymore—it’s happening live, online, in real time. During one of my livestreams, a viewer came into chat, shaken and angry. They had just witnessed something heartbreaking—a classmate had told their friend to end their life. They had spent 20 minutes trembling in fear and frustration,…
-
It’s Support-A-Thon Sunday! (Come Join In!)
I’m excited to invite you to my Support-A-Thon happening this Sunday, September 29th, at 10 AM EST on my Twitch Channel! This event is not just about having fun—it’s a chance for our amazing community to come together and help support some really important future ministry goals. What’s the Goal?This Support-A-Thon will help raise…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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:…
-
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)…
-
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…
-
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:…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Poor UpTownDog! Hilarious Four Man Squad Takes on The Dragon (CreatorCraft Episode 4)
We came, we saw, we conquered, we picked UpTownDog’s remains up over and over. Check out this goofy group of guys trying to take on the end on the CreatorCraft SMP. Livestreams: http://www.twitch.tv/XtianNinjaMore about XtianNinja Online Missions: https://artofthechristianninja.com/xtianninjaom/Become a monthly supporter: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7XJFMCJKESBEG
-
Join XtianNinja’s Christian Creator Mentorship Program
On Feb 4 I’m launching a program to help Christian Creators use their skills and passions in the most effective and God-honouring way possible. To register or for more info DM me or join my Discord https://discord.gg/G95bAGYf9K The Vision: To help Christian Creators use their skills and passions in the most effective and God-honouring…
-
Watch This When You Feel Angry
New Video: A lot of people have been hurt by someone whose anger is out of control. How can we deal with that anger? Is it ever ok to be angry? Where can we turn for help? This video might help.
-
Blue Fire Long-Play VOD: First 4 Levels (& Lots of Chatting!)
Here’s the VOD for the first levels of Blue Fire. It’s not only full of gameplay but lots of random discussion topics. Remember, I don’t play games just to play games – I use it as a bridge for connecting to people and it’s the best part of being a full-time Christian streamer. This…
-
Adventures with my Editor Starpony999 – VOD
New Minecraft Video! The very first collab between me and my wonderful editor Starpony999. she’s an amazing person with a great sense of humour and we had a lot of fun hanging out!
-
Operation Christmas Child Variety Show Fundraiser with Theseus! VOD
In Dec, Theseus and I put together a super-fun variety show fundraiser for Operation Christmas Child If you like games, jokes, challenges, weird internet stuff, and sharing God’s love with kids – this VOD is for you!
-
What Does Jesus Mean When He Says “I Am The Bread of Life?”
New YouTube video to watch when you feel like life is unfair and God isn’t giving you what you need. If God is good and all-powerful, then why doesn’t He just give us what we want? Why does life feel so unfair sometimes – even for people who believe in God? Here’s a new…
-
Really Cool Limited Edition Merch! (Ends Dec 13)
RazzyRu Designed Limited Edition Comic Style T-Shirts inspired by my three all-time favourite stream games: Planet Alpha, Candleman, and Minecraft! (Only available until Dec 13, 2021) Merch Link: https://streamlabs.com/aldescheneau/merch
-
The Last Episode of “Of Interest” Podcast – Moving on to God’s Next Chapter for Me
Podcast Link: https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/The-Final-Episode—Moving-on-to-Gods-Next-Chapter-for-Me-e1ahp2t Hey everyone, I want to start with a huge thank you to everyone who has been listening to the podcast for the past, like, 7 years or so. So many of you have been with me the whole time and have been such an encouragement to me throughout the years. I…
-
“Is Wall-E Satan?” – Pastors React to MatPat’s Film Theory
Look, a new YouTube video!Two Pastors who know the Bible a LOT better than MatPat (PastorDoostyn and XtianNinja) take apart his Wall-E Theory piece by piece. There’s a lot of things he gets wrong – and a lot of contradiction. This video was recorded during one of my Twitch live streams and I’m super…
-
From Preacher to Streamer – DavetheBlogger Interviews XtianNinja
Where did the name XtianNinja come from? How did you get your call to pastoral ministry? Any funny stories? DavetheBlogger interviews XtianNinja (Pastor Al) during a live stream. Livestreams: http://www.twitch.tv/XtianNinja Twitter: http://twitter.com/XtianNinja Support XtianNinja Online Missions: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7XJFMCJKESBEG
-
We’re Changing the Online World Right Now! (Join Us!)
“When I came across XtianNinja’s channel on Twitch, I recognized he had a goal that was more than simply streaming and playing games. As I continued watching his streams, I saw how happy he was (and is) to be a true friend and reach out to those who may be hurting, whether they’re comfortable…
-
Wrestling Appolyon + A Ministry Update & Mentoring Creators
In this week’s episode, I finally get around to continuing our Pilgrims Progress study and then share a clip from a recent stream where I explain a new Christian Content Creator Mentorship Program that I’m going to be moving into the next phase of very soon. Podcast Link:https://anchor.fm/xtianninja/episodes/Wrestling-Appolyon–A-Ministry-Update–Mentoring-Creators-e18vnbc Script: Whaddup! Happy Weekend! I’m Al…
-
Dear Christian Content Creators – We Need to Talk!
God has been laying the importance of using my gifts and experience to mentor Christian Content Creators – and I want you to be part of it. When I was first called to full-time Twitch ministry I thought it was going to be primarily evangelistic – but God has been moving me toward not…
-
“Hate-Raids”, Who Needs Rules Anyway?, When Apollyon Tells You to Quit (P.P. 7.1)
In this week’s episode, I’m going to share an interesting article about Hate-Raids on Twitch – with special contributions from two black streamers who have faced racism on and offline, continue our interesting study of Pilgrim’s Progress in the beginning of the seventh chapter where Christian meets Apollyon, and finish off with a message…
-
XtianNinja’s Brief Guide to Internet Safety for Streamers (or How to Keep Your House from Being Burned down by an Insane Person from the Internet)
Here’s a PDF Version of this Article We all know that there are a whole lot of ways that you can get yourself in trouble online – and that danger only increases for streamers. Here are a few things to keep you safe online: Keep your operating system and virus/malware software up to date.…
-
Christians Doing Weird Stuff, Can You Know if God Loves You or Not? & Slipping Into Humiliation (P.P. 7.0)
In this week’s episode, I share an interesting article about Christians doing weird stuff, continue our interesting study of Pilgrim’s Progress with the beginning of the seventh chapter when Christian descends into the Valley of Humiliation, and finish off with a new Bible-Study segment where I talk about how you can know whether or…
-
Why I Play M-Rated Games on my Christian Twitch Channel
Here’s why I, as a Christian Pastor turned Twitch Streamer, feel that playing M-Rated games on stream is a good idea. This is the video version of what I said in this episode: https://artofthechristianninja.com/2021/07/09/why-i-allow-swearing-now-the-difference-between-strong-language-and-foul-language-pp-6-4-christians-testimony/ Unedited Script: Last week, I made a, potentially, controversial decision for my Twitch stream and I wanted to let you…
-
Why I Allow Swearing Now, the Difference Between Strong Language and Foul Language, PP 6.4: Christian’s Testimony
In this week’s episode, I’m going to share an interesting idea about why my Twitch channel is going PG-13 an interesting article about the difference between strong language and foul language, and continue our interesting study of Pilgrim’s Progress by exploring more of the sixth chapter where Christian is stopped at the gates of…
-
Such an Original Experience! Fighting Through the Creative Side of the Brain (Figment – Part 3)
The artistic interpretation of someone’s creative side was amazing – and seeing what the corruption of depression and sadness had done to it was quite moving. Check out my Livestreams: http://www.twitch.tv/XtianNinja Game Summary: Figment is an action-adventure puzzle game where you battle nightmares and various mental illnesses that are taking over someone’s brain as…
-
Behind the Scene Update!
In this week’s episode I share a look behind the scenes at all the interesting, amazing, and exhausting things going on with XtianNinja Online Ministries. Script: Hey, everyone. This episode is going to be a little different in that it’s just a quick update with what’s going on with the podcast and channel and…
-
This Game is Special: Figment Series (Part 1 & 2)
Figment is an action-adventure puzzle game where you battle nightmares and various mental illnesses that are taking over someone’s brain as a result of facing a terrible trauma. It sounds super serious – but it’s actually a fun, interesting, and really touching story – that has some of the best game music I’ve ever…
-
Ripples: What If Your Worst Day was the Best Way to Change the World For the Better?
Is it possible that the misery you have been through – or are going through – is exactly the secret sauce that God is using to inspire others and make positive changes that you could never do yourself? Would it make it easier to face if you knew that your pain was necessary to…
-
Humble Streaming: Being a Servant to Your Viewers (Devos & Chill Ep. 3 – Phil 1:1-2)
What does it mean to be a “servant of all” when you are a Twitch Streamer, YouTuber, or social media star? What does humility look like as a Christian internet personality? This message is from my Twitch channel’s Devos & Chill series where, on Thursdays, I give a short message before we get into…
-
Empathy as Fuel: The Story of Timothy (Devos & Chill Ep.2 – Phil 1:1)
When Timothy’s concern for others caused him to hurt so much it was crippling – he didn’t run away. Instead, he leaned into it and used that concern to drive him to action because he loved Jesus, loved Paul, and loved the church more than he loved himself. This message is from my Twitch…
-
Twitch: The Undiscovered Country (Video Version)
God is calling brand new, online, Hudson Taylor’s, David Livingstones, William Careys, and Jim and Elisabeth Elliots from around the world, to share the gospel of Jesus Christ on the new mission field known as Twitch. Here’s a video explaining a bit about what I see God doing there and how I believe He…
-
Pioneer Missionaries in an Undiscovered Country – Why Twitch is the New Frontier of Global Missions
This week I’m doing something a little different by releasing an audio version of an upcoming video I’ve produced to help churches and Christian organizations understand the importance online missions and how they work to help people move from virtual life to Eternal Life. Script: Imagine waking up one day to find the news…