Organization:XXXchurch.com
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| Founded | June 5, 2001[1] |
|---|---|
| Founder | Mike Foster (2001–2004) Craig Gross (2001–2020) |
| Type | Religious charity |
| Headquarters | Deptford Township, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Location |
|
CEO | Carl Thomas |
Key people | Carl Thomas (2021–) Michelle Russell (2004–) |
| Website | xxxchurch |
XXXchurch.com is a website developed by Live Free Ministries promoting a Christian ideology to try to help men with pornography and sex addiction. The website was launched in 2002 and relaunched/rebranded in 2021 when it became part of Live Free Ministries, a New Jersey-based 501(c)(3) non-profit.
The website provides articles, videos, podcasts, online courses, and supportive communities.[2]
History
The website was launched in January 2002 when Fireproof Ministry founders, set up a booth inside the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo in Las Vegas to promote the website and continued to attend porn conventions internationally for over 15 years.[3] The group has given out thousands of Bibles with "Jesus Loves Porn Stars" on the cover at these conventions, a facet of their ministry which has been featured in American national media.[4][5]
The organization has received support from Christian pastors such as Bill Hybels,[6] Craig Groeschel and Rick Warren.[7]
Non-Christian pornographic film director James DiGiorgio took photographs for XXXchurch and faced business issues as a result of becoming affiliated with the organization. He said, "[The sex industry is] always trying to preach freedom of speech; [so] anyone in this industry who has a problem with [XXXchurch's] message is a fucking hypocrite. You can't have it both ways."[8]
In 2004, Mike Foster departed from Firerpoof Ministries and XXXchurch.[citation needed]
In 2005, the independent film Missionary Positions was released, produced and directed by Bill Day, which documented the origins of XXXchurch.[9]
Craig Gross left the ministry in 2021 to promote the benefits of marijuana consumption and other drugs.[citation needed]
In March 2021, XXXchurch was acquired and relaunched by Live Free Ministries.[citation needed]
Live Free Ministries founder and Executive Director, Carl Thomas, was once employed by the 501(c)(3) organization Fireproof Ministries[10] and left to start his own non-profit in 2019.
Programs
X3watch 2.0
This online service provides access to accountability software. With a subscription-based model.[citation needed]
Live Free Community App
This men's online support community focuses on recovery. Including free courses.[citation needed]
Live Free Wives
This online community provides a space for women who have gone through pain and sexual betrayal in their relationships.[citation needed]
Small Groups Online
Participants connect with others through weekly video chats facilitated by a trained leader.[citation needed]
X3pure
A 15-part video workshop. Participants receive one year of access to the Live Free Community and App.[citation needed]
Office Hours Podcast
This podcast addresses questions submitted by users related to sex, sexuality, pornography, parenting, and masturbation.[citation needed]
Shameless
This online workshop is a live and interactive event for individuals to discuss sex and sexuality.[citation needed]
See also
- Anti-pornography movement in the United States
- Fight the New Drug
- Stop Porn Culture
- NoFap
References
- ↑ "XXXChurch.com WHOIS, DNS, & Domain Info - DomainTools". WHOIS. http://whois.domaintools.com/xxxchurch.com.
- ↑ Hoolihan, Megan (2011-11-15). "God and Porn: A pastor and a porn star debate to provide diverse discussion". Eagle News (Fort Myers, Florida). http://www.eaglenews.org/mobile/god-and-porn-a-pastor-and-a-porn-star-debate-to-provide-diverse-discussion-1.2671427. Florida Gulf Coast University.
- ↑ "The Game Plan". Fireproof Ministries. 2007. http://xxxchurch.com/07/pornpatrol/index.php.
- ↑ Kingsbury, Kathleen (2006-05-07). "Saving Souls in the Porn World". Time. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1191829,00.html.
- ↑ Bashir, Martin (2008-08-01). "XXXchurch: ABC News Nightline". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwLcg-mxHeQ.
- ↑ Foster, Mike; Gross, Craig; Stevens, Jarrett (2002). "Faith for the 21st Century, Part 2: XXXCHURCH.COM". Willow Creek Association. http://www.willowcreek.com/wca_prod.asp?invtid=PR20985&action=details. "Mike and Craig give encouraging words to those who struggle and those who want to do radical things for God. They share what it really means to be a light in a dark place"
- ↑ Schniper, Matthew (2007-09-13). "XXXtra credit: By venturing into the belly of the beast, Craig Gross earns respect". Colorado Springs Independent. http://www.csindy.com/colorado/xxxtra-credit/Content?oid=1139768. "[We've] had some pretty good endorsements. In the Christian world, Bill Hybels and Rick Warren have given us quotes."
- ↑ Wood, Gaby (2006-02-12). "What would Jesus do? Former $2000-a-night stripper Heather Veitch, now a born-again Christian, tells Gaby Wood why she's bringing the gospel to the 'adult industry'". The Observer (Guardian News and Media). http://observer.theguardian.com/woman/story/0,,1705362,00.html.
- ↑ Missionary Positions on IMDb
- ↑ "Fireproof Ministries | Pasadena, CA | Cause IQ". https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/fireproof-ministries,330823570/.
Further reading
- Israelsen-Hartley, Sara (2013-07-08). "XXXchurch reaches out to people 'messed up' by the pornography industry". Deseret News. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865582629/XXXchurch-reaches-out-to-people-messed-up-by-the-pornography-industry.html.
- Pel & Associates (2013). "Form 990 for organization Fireproof Ministries Inc.". http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2012/330/823/2012-330823570-096da1d9-9.pdf.
External links
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