XXXchurch Helps People Overcome Porn & Sex Addiction Through Spiritual Guidance

The Short Version: XXXchurch is a Christian ministry formed in 2002 to combat lewdness and negativity that often run rampant in the dark corners of the Internet. In the fight against sex and porn addiction, they built a comprehensive online support system for people to overcome sex-related dependencies. The site was founded by a youth pastor named Craig Gross who realized there was an unspoken force plaguing some people in their private lives. Sex and porn addiction can ruin relationships and hamper people’s journey to self-fulfillment, so Craig decided to do all he could to help them find their way. He takes his mission as an advocate for reform very seriously. “This is for real, and this is dangerous,” he said in a lecture. “This is something we need to be open and honest about.”

Traveling from coast to coast in the early 2000s, Craig Gross dedicated himself to spreading Christian ideals by speaking at church services, colleges, youth events, conferences, and other motivational gatherings. He hoped to be a role model to the young people in his audiences, emphasizing honest communication about moral issues.

Craig Gross, Founder of XXXchurch, doesn’t stigmatize people for being addicted to porn or sex.

His inspirational and down-to-earth tone was compelling. With one hand in his pocket and a good-humored smile on his face, he avoided platitudes and instead spoke about temptation in concrete terms. He firmly believed the Internet was changing the way people viewed pornography, transforming it from “something that was so hard to find into something hard to avoid,” to use his words.

Encouraged by his approachable demeanor, young people would approach him after his speeches with personal questions they often didn’t feel comfortable raising with their teachers, parents, or other adults. Shyly, they’d ask him about sexting or porn and showed relief when he answered without judgment. Craig felt societal norms were keeping young Christians from following the Bible’s teachings simply because no one was talking about it.

He realized that even though porn or sex addicts may feel isolated — they’re far from alone in their struggle. So, Craig stepped up to become, as some have dubbed him, the porn pastor. In 2002, he founded XXXchurch, the world’s largest online advocate and support group that deals solely with issues involving pornography and sex dependency.

The group’s mission is to raise awareness about sex and porn addiction and provide resources for millions of men, women, parents, and couples in need of guidance. These faith counselors are there to help, not judge, offering prevention and recovery groups for hundreds of members.

“This stuff is a disappointment,” he said about porn when speaking to a church group years later, “it’s not going to fulfill you long term. It’s going to leave you emptier than you ever felt before.”

XXXchurch isn’t about shaming people with fire and brimstone. They foster a truly Christian atmosphere of acceptance and love for people — no matter their sins. Carl Thomas, Outreach Director for the site, told us the XXXchurch community has over 550 members and 60 leaders working toward a common purpose. The help offered by the site can take many forms, from X3 Workshops to submitting an online confessional, and all the resources are designed to help individuals regain control of their lives and move beyond addiction to sex or pornography.

You can take the 30-Day Porn-Free Challenge by signing up with your email address. XXXchurch will send you daily encouragement and useful resource recommendations. Forthright and inclusive, the ministry makes a point to shun no one, offering guidance for people having an affair as well as for porn stars who want a career change.

“I love getting these emails. It’s such a great way to start off my day and get me focused and on the right path.” — Ernesto Y., a member of the XXXchurch community

Just as people with serious problems, like alcoholism, have anonymous support groups, XXXchurch rallies people with addictions together into small online groups where men and women can speak openly about porn, masturbation, and sex in a safe and nonjudgmental space.

“We have open doors in our churches for so many issues, but somehow the mindset is if we struggle with porn or sins of this nature, we’re disqualified,” Craig said. He takes a different attitude toward reformers. He beckons people of all backgrounds to join the support groups, engage in the conversation, and overcome the vices bringing them down.

It’s hard to talk about sex and porn without shame. Already I can feel the heat rising in my face as I consider telling my parents what I spent my day writing about. My natural impulse is to keep the subject matter buried, bending to the societal stigma and blocking all honest communication on the issue.

The taboo can make a person feel wrong or abnormal for experiencing natural human inclinations. Porn and sex addiction are universal obstacles, but by suppressing any discussion about them we isolate ourselves from possible solutions.

XXXchurch doesn’t shy away from discussing the daily impact of pornography and sex in a person’s life. Their blog tackles touchy subjects without flinching. The articles, sometimes written by Craig himself, speak with candor about personal issues and encourage addicts to get help.

Full of advice, the XXXchurch blog helps men and women realize issues with sex are common and nothing to be ashamed of.

By normalizing the struggle, XXXchurch hopes to bring people out of the woodwork so they can learn how to direct their energy toward a more positive outlet.

Covering everything from the best way to talk about porn addiction to reasons to stay celibate until marriage, XXXchurch doesn’t believe something so profoundly impactful on a person’s well-being ought to be kept secret. “Sometimes just talking about this stuff is enough to start a breakthrough,” the website reads. “Don’t let sex addiction or pornography addiction keep you feeling trapped.”

The XXXchurch offers good Samaritans many ways to give back, including interning remotely, volunteering at an event, or fundraising for prayerful groups. You can find out more about how to get involved here.

“It’s all about giving back,” Carl said. “We’re a ministry out of brokenness. Sometimes someone who has struggled with the same issues is the best person to be used by God to help.”

It’s a small team, and there’s always plenty to do, so they welcome anyone interested in joining the fight. Christians can easily find a way to help out in their area and meet like-minded, good-hearted souls in the process. The nonprofit relies on support from the Christian community to bring their message of hope to a global audience.

According to the site, the ministry, “helps millions of people each year with porn addiction. We have developed many free programs and resources for those who can’t afford it.”

Craig Gross fosters a nonjudgmental tone in his Christian ministry. Through his work, the XXXchurch pastor has built a reputation as a staunch advocate on behalf of anyone dealing with sex or porn addiction. He understands the need for practical resources to help people achieve mental as well as spiritual health.

As an uplifting force on the web, XXXchurch makes a moral argument against porn and sex addiction without criticizing those ensnared by it. Their website is crystal clear in this regard: “Everyone needs to be encouraged and experience the unconditional love of Jesus regardless of where they are in life,” it reads.

This message has resonated with people, and the site has seen more than 70 million visitors since it was founded in 2002. The workshops, blog posts, and events all promote a healthier lifestyle and Christian values in a relatable and honest manner. Whether you’re looking to join the XXXchurch community to find help or to give back, you’ll find yourself welcomed with open arms and open minds.