Watch

Bearded Blevins Fortnite Stream Aims to Change the World

Creator:
Published:
March 28, 2024
September 12, 2019
Fortnite-Streamer|Fortnite streamer Bearded Blevins hopes to create a nontoxic community online.|Fortnite-Streamer-Square

Jonathan Blevins knows a thing or two about streaming and playing Fortnite — Ninja is his brother. He uses his stream to build a welcoming and nontoxic community online and share his faith.

"I like to think: 'Ever ancient, ever new.' And now we're asking the question, 'Where are people at?'" he shares. "And whether you like it or not, many of them are online watching people play video games. And so the Gospel belongs there, as well."

Video Transcript

Chicago, Illinois: for the Blevins brothers, Fortnite is more than a game.

Jonathan Blevins: Jesus — what did He do when He walked around? He went to where people were spending their time. He met people where they were at.

Teammate off-screen: Absolutely, yes!

Jon: Let's go, dude…

Teammate: Swear to me!

Jon: (laughs)Movie critics hated Bane as a villain. I thought he depicted evil better than anyone else because there was just no reason for it.

Jon live streams 10-15 hours a week. He’s building a positive, nontoxic stream community.

Okay so here's a question, you guys: What is the reason that you watch this stream, and why do you hang out in this community? Share that now and I'll read some of the answers.

(Spoken while playing a game) Let's go, dude.

Teammate: Woo!

Jon: Allthatjazz4 says, "I can't really articulate it, but being here makes me happy, and I feel more optimistic, even when I'm stressed from life.”

“This community makes me feel like family… What you said about my cousin is amazing… Motivates me to better my own faith... I was brought back to faith... I watch the stream because Jon is a positive person that…”

Dude — I wasn't ready for this okay? I hear stories like that, but you never know if you're still making a difference, and so that was cool. God is good. Yeah.

Saint Paul Catholic Church: Jon’s childhood parish.

My brothers and I, we're just super goofy. There was just sometimes, it just got contagious, and it got out of hand. We're going to call this the old spot right here. This is probably 50 percent of the time — hitting my brothers on both sides, getting moved. My brother is Ninja — literally, the most popular streamer on the planet.

Ninja: I'm super proud of what my older brother does.

Chris Blevins: I'm Jon's younger brother. I'm super proud of what he's been doing. I hope him all the best, man — he's awesome.

Ninja: It's honestly just really inspiring, and I kind of look to do that same thing as well.

Jon: It was actually in a conversation with him and with his awesome wife, Jess, where they were like, "Hey Jon, you would be good at this, too. And you could use it to share Jesus with other people."

Jon is director of evangelization and formation at St. James Catholic Church.

And I think they know I'm serious. At the end of every stream, I pray for everyone in my stream and for their intentions, and then even ones that aren't listed — and I think they know that and trust that, too.

You know what? In the Dark Knight Rises, there are people who choose good, and there are people who choose evil, and then there are people who stay in their homes. Those are called moral relativists. The Lord says in Revelation, "If you are lukewarm, I'll spit you out of my mouth. I'd rather you be hot or cold." And so many people chose nothing in that Batman movie. Man, what a movie.

I like to think: “Ever ancient, ever new.” And now, we’re asking the question, "Where are people at?" And whether you like it or not, many of them are online watching people play video games. And so the Gospel belongs there as well.

Teammate: There's a wall right here?

Jon: I see someone comin’ up. I see someone comin’ up — marshmallow.

(gunshot)

Teammate: Oh, let's go!

Jon: Dude, that was a snowboarder — are you kidding me? Somebody clip it.

Teammate: Off the snowboard, are you serious?

Jon: Off the snowboard dude, going full blast.

Teammate: Bro, let's get it.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
March 28, 2024
September 12, 2019
On a related note...
Filmmaker from Kenya Shares His Motivation

Filmmaker from Kenya Shares His Motivation

Grotto

I Suck at Meditating, But Journaling Helps Me Instead

I Suck at Meditating, But Journaling Helps Me Instead

Emily Mae Mentock

Road Trip These Pilgrimage Destinations

Road Trip These Pilgrimage Destinations

Mary Frances Myler

Marriage is About More than Just the Couple

Marriage is About More than Just the Couple

Molly Cruitt

This Time-Lapse Thunderstorm Video Will Leave You Shook

This Time-Lapse Thunderstorm Video Will Leave You Shook

Grotto Shares

Juneteenth Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Juneteenth Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

St. Augustine of Hippo Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

St. Augustine of Hippo Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

How to Build Your At-Home Bar and Level Up Your Hospitality

How to Build Your At-Home Bar and Level Up Your Hospitality

Molly Cruitt

3 Saints to Turn to During the Pandemic

3 Saints to Turn to During the Pandemic

Ken Hallenius

#GrottoMusic | First Day of Fall

#GrottoMusic | First Day of Fall

Grotto

Voices of Synod 2018 | Jonathan Lewis Speaks to Pope Francis and Bishops

Voices of Synod 2018 | Jonathan Lewis Speaks to Pope Francis and Bishops

Grotto

How to Craft a 'New Normal' out of the Pandemic Wreckage

How to Craft a 'New Normal' out of the Pandemic Wreckage

Grace Carroll

I Was Angry With the Church — But the Pope’s Apology Gave Me Hope

I Was Angry With the Church — But the Pope’s Apology Gave Me Hope

Gabby Baniqued

First Day of Spring Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

First Day of Spring Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Moving from Hurt to Action in Today's Sex Abuse Crisis

Moving from Hurt to Action in Today's Sex Abuse Crisis

Sarah Yaklic

Giving Hope and a Future to Women with HIV/AIDS

Giving Hope and a Future to Women with HIV/AIDS

Grotto

St. James Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

St. James Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

An 8-Mile Swim In Lake Michigan

An 8-Mile Swim In Lake Michigan

Grotto

Prayers from Your Childhood To Get You Through Your Day

Prayers from Your Childhood To Get You Through Your Day

Grotto

Finding Hope in a 100-Mile Race

Finding Hope in a 100-Mile Race

Lillie Rodgers

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.