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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.
 | |
| 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 |
The website provides articles, videos, podcasts, courses, and online communities.[2]
History
editThe 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 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.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "XXXChurch.com WHOIS, DNS, & Domain Info - DomainTools". WHOIS. Retrieved 2016-07-06.
- ^ Hoolihan, Megan (2011-11-15). "God and Porn: A pastor and a porn star debate to provide diverse discussion". Eagle News. Fort Myers, Florida. Archived from the original on 2013-06-19. Florida Gulf Coast University.
- ^ "The Game Plan". xxxchurch.com. Fireproof Ministries. 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-10-04.
- ^ Kingsbury, Kathleen (2006-05-07). "Saving Souls in the Porn World". Time. Archived from the original on January 3, 2007.
- ^ Bashir, Martin (2008-08-01). "XXXchurch: ABC News Nightline" (Video). Archived from the original on 2021-12-14. Retrieved 2011-05-30.
- ^ Foster, Mike; Gross, Craig; Stevens, Jarrett (2002). "Faith for the 21st Century, Part 2: XXXCHURCH.COM". willowcreek.com. Willow Creek Association.
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. Archived from the original on 2012-04-02. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
[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. Archived from the original on 2014-05-23. Retrieved 2014-09-15.
- ^ Missionary Positions at IMDb
- ^ "Fireproof Ministries | Pasadena, CA | Cause IQ". www.causeiq.com.
Further reading
edit- Israelsen-Hartley, Sara (2013-07-08). "XXXchurch reaches out to people 'messed up' by the pornography industry". Deseret News. Archived from the original on July 14, 2013.
- Pel & Associates (2013). "Form 990 for organization Fireproof Ministries Inc" (PDF). guidestar.org.
External links
edit- Official website
- Fireproof Ministries Archived 2016-06-17 at the Wayback Machine