By Stephen Rose
This past week, Wrecked had the chance to interview Stephen Rose, an intern with XXXchurch.com. Keep reading to find out more about Stephen, life, and the secret world of porn.
Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from? What are you doing with your life?
My name is Stephen Rose and I am a junior at Asbury College in Wilmore, KY. I am studying Media Communications Management and Business Management. Basically I am trying to be as broad as possible as I have no idea what I want to do with my life. Right now my life is this internship with XXXchurch, and I am loving every bit of it. To give you a better idea of me, I drive a 1989 Buick Regal (we’ll just call it a luxury vehicle), date a beautiful young lady named Chelsea, and cheer for the Atlanta Braves without ceasing.
For those who might have been living under a rock for the past few years and not heard of XXXchurch, tell us a bit about the ministry and what you guys (& gals) do.
XXXchurch is basically a two-fold ministry in that we help out people who struggle with pornography, and also we help out people within the industry who have decided for themselves they want out. We have noticed over time that people are overall completely oblivious to the dangers of porn, and we just want to be there to raise awareness and be able to guide people in their quest for freedom. We’ve seen countless marriages broken up, jobs lost, and dreams wrecked because of porn, and XXXchurch decided 5 years ago someone needed to do something about it. So not only do we have this online ministry where people can come and receive help at any time, but we also attend pornography conventions and hand out Bibles. This part of the ministry is probably the most exciting for most of us. We have the chance to enter this place that has not ever seen Jesus, and be a light to such dark place.
What inspired you to become an intern? What has your role been with the ministry?
I have had a passion for this ministry for quite some time now. My friends and I used the accountability software XXXchurch offers (x3watch) in high school, and since then I would get on the site and check out what was happening in the world of XXXchurch. My main role in the ministry is marketing. Right now I am working on marketing the Porn Debate Tour with Ron Jeremy. Craig Gross (pastor of XXXchurch) will be traveling and debating the most famous porn star ever, Ron Jeremy. I am working on booking morning shows for the pair to be interviewed on the morning of each debate.
Did you experience much resistance from your church, family, or friends, for getting involved?
I really have great friends and family and none have really expressed any negativity towards my working with XXXchurch. My parents have been behind me 100% (although my mom would request I not attend a porn convention) and really like what XXXchurch does. While I have noticed a lot of resistance from Christians I do not even know, there has been minimal resistance from family and friends.
How do you typically respond when people confront the controversial aspects of XXXchurch with you? I imagine it happens on a regular basis same arguments, same questions, same disapproval.
I just try to explain our motives. Who else is reaching the porn stars? Who else is building relationships with these broken people? I don’t believe that as a Christian you can argue against what XXXchurch does. Sure, it’s 
not for everyone. We do some things that are a bit over the top. However, when you see people like Donny Pauling (former porn producer) accept Christ or Ron Jeremy ask some very intriguing questions about God, you can’t argue against the success that XXXchurch has had. No, Ron Jeremy has not accepted Christ yet, but the seeds that have been planted because of the ministry of XXXchurch are not replaceable by anyone else.
Have you been surprised at all by church groups’ responses to the ministries of XXXchurch? What are you applying to your own experience with church because of that?
The church groups I have encountered thus far have been very supportive. While most of them are churches Craig was speaking at, it is still very encouraging. The main thing that is startling about some churches is how oblivious they are to the problem of porn in their congregations. I was trying to talk to my pastor at my parents’ church about doing a porn Sunday, and it was as if he didn’t even think it was a problem in our church! Forty-seven percent of Christians say that porn is a major problem in their home. So if nearly half of Christians say porn is a problem in their house, and the church is not the place to get help for it, where will they go? Absolutely nowhere. The church needs to raise awareness about this issue. On October 7th we are holding an event called National Porn Sunday. I would encourage every church leader who reads this to sign your church up. It is too prevalent of an issue to pass by.
What have you learned about yourself and about God since being around Craig and the guys at XXXchurch?
The main thing I have meditated on is God’s passion for lost people. We were in Lexington, KY this past weekend and Craig had an interview with a popular DJ there in Lexington. After getting to talking to the DJ, he found out he would be attending a local strip club because a famous porn star was coming to town. So after talking to him and getting to know him a little bit, Craig invites him to church. Not only did he invite him to church, but the DJ showed up! Now who else is in the position to invite this radio DJ to church? I can’t think of anyone. I saw more excitement on Craig’s face from seeing this DJ at church on Sunday than I did when he was talking to any of the fellow believers. Do not get me wrong. Craig loves Christians and we wouldn’t have our ministry without the faithfulness and support of Christians, but I just noticed something extra when he saw this lost person walk through the doors of a church for the first time in who knows how long.
Keep reading about the work and ministry of XXXchurch, and for more information regarding an internship, click here.