Welcome to the Victory Blog

Imagine it: the smell of barbecue in the air, the DJ’s got the music thumpin’, nearly 1,500 men – ranging in age from 10 to over 80 – hanging out, talking, laughing, shooting hoops, kicking soccer balls, throwing footballs, pitching fastballs, driving golf balls* and having a great time. There’s a sense of excitement in the air and the anticipation is growing…it’s just about time to eat! (And, you know the way to a man’s heart…)

Although it’s been a hot and steamy day, the sun’s heading rapidly toward the tree line, shade is growing more abundant and a welcome breeze is picking up. It’s a perfect evening for another spectacular men’s event at Victory World Church…it’s Champion’s Night 2010.

Soon, dinner is served and the guys line up for heaping plates corn on the cob, BBQ baked beans and of some of Atlanta’s best barbecue**, generously served with a smile by a squadron of Victory ladies…and don’t forget the great sweet tea (we are in the South, after all!) and some amazing peach cobbler and banana pudding for dessert.

Now, with our bellies full of great food, and our hearts full of mirth, it’s time to head into V1 for the main event – special guest speaker, three-time NBA champion, Bruce Bowen. But first, a bit more fun and the awarding of some sweet prizes! If the air was filled with excitement before, now it’s positively charged! The music is rocking the auditorium, lights are flashing, great sports moments are playing on the big screens, the stage is set like a basketball court, every seat is fill and there’s even a few guys standing along the walls.

Emcee Billy Boughey, along with 212º Pastor Rolando Gonzalez and Fusion Pastor Johnson Bowie, gets things really hopping by tossing basketballs autographed by Bruce Bowen to the most enthusiastic guys in the crowd. This is followed by an off-the-chain dance routine by the 212º dance team, then, an arm wrestling contest – this is, after all a men’s event; displays of strength are in order – and the awarding of prizes. Congratulations to:

Henderson, winner of an autographed basketball – arm wrestling
Eldridge Harris, winner of an iPod Touch – longest golf drive
Oloalu Bolu, winner of an iPod Touch – most soccer goals
Juan, winner of a Wii Console – fastest pitch
Mike Bowen, winner of an Xbox 360 – most touchdowns
Sam Dennard, winner of the Breakfast with Bruce Bowen Raffle

Having awarded these prizes, there’s still one prize left…one really, really sweet prize…the Grand Prize – a 50″ Plasma TV and PS3 bundle! For this contest, the two highest scorers in the outdoor hoops contest plus one randomly picked from the audience wildcard player are invited onstage for a shootout. Whoever makes the most free-throws in 30 seconds wins the Grand Prize. And, with 19 baskets, the winner is…Jeremy Simmons, guest of Victory member Tony Bolin. Congratulations, Jeremy!

And now for the main event…Pastor Dennis introduces our special speaker, Bruce Bowen, a man who is regarded as one of the best defenders in the NBA, was elected eight times to the NBA All-Defensive First and Second Teams and was a member of the San Antonio Spurs teams that won the NBA championships in 2003, 2005 and 2007.

As he speaks, we find out he’s also a man who loves the Lord and has a powerful testimony of overcoming tremendous odds only by the grace of God. He tells of his alcoholic father who was mostly absent and drug-addicted mother who couldn’t give him the care he needed. Bruce had a rough childhood filled with hard lessons.

He speaks of fatherhood, challenging every father in the room to connect with their kids, to be there for them, to stay aware of the fact that they’re watching and learning from everything we do, to pour into them selflessly and not take from them selfishly. He talks of learning to trust Christ to be the father he never had. He challenges us to not fear failure – it can mold us and make us better, if we let it. True failure is when we don’t try.

In closing, Bowen challenges all of us to be optimistic using his name and quirky bow tie as a memory aid – B.O.W. – Being Optimistic Wins. He’s met with a standing ovation before Pastor Dennis closes out with a brief Q & A session and then a prayer. The night’s over, but the memories will last. From start to finish, this was an awesome men’s event. What a great time!

*Inflatables by Funtastic Events Inc.

**Catering by LowCountry Barbecue

Black Shirts with white designs and bright green letters stating “FUSION ON TOUR” speckle each train car that takes off from the Doraville train station heading to the Atlanta Airport. A group of thirty people, split up in five different groups, all with the purpose of spreading the love of the Lord. Equipped with bags filled with bottled waters, hearts overflowing with God’s truth, the Holy Spirit and boldness that only the Lord himself could provide. As the train departs, anticipation gets stronger.

On a normal day, the door opens and many people rush on the train, find a seat, and get occupied with various things – men and women with headphones in their ears listening to various types of music, students doing homework and many eyes closed while leaning up against the window. The only noise heard is coming from the train tracks and walls being scraped at random times throughout the trip. The good thing is, this was no normal day. This day was made by the Lord, for the Lord, and it’s time for people to know and understand; so let’s take it back.

The doors open and many people rush onto the train hearing, “Good evening,” and “How are you?,” along with other questions and statements directly to the individuals. Each person trying to find a seat, scrambling around before the train takes off. As they find their seats, they are greeted with a bottled water and many kind words. If they had an empty seat and were welcoming of a neighbor, the seat filled up fast for conversation. Many were still trying to sleep, do homework or listen to their iPod.

Brayden goes from person to person giving hugs from God, which lifted many spirits and opened some hearts that were not welcoming to begin with. Ken, Celara, Dee and myself listened to different individuals, giving them a genuine ear that wanted to hear how their day was or what was going on in their lives. Some didn’t open up completely, while others broke down; one girl coming back to the Lord after hearing what He desired for her. Even after the water was out, we went from person to person and checked on them, telling them that God loves them. As the people got off, we told each one to have a blessed night and anything else that was on our hearts.

Being able to see the love of our Lord was a blessing in itself. To see the smile on others’ faces and gain understanding of the selfishness that plagues our society was something that couldn’t be taught by lecture, only by actions. This was just a small glimpse of what they should be seeing and what we ourselves should be doing and seeing. The Bible states that we are to first love the Lord, then, to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Those are just basics and most haven’t been doing that right. So how can we, as Christians, go about claiming the Lord without having the basics down?! Fusion on Tour has begun, and it is time to be doers of the word, not hearers only. It’s time to look in the mirror and see what God has in store for us and what Christ would have done. It’s time to see Christ in our mirror and know that we are getting closer and closer to being just like Him. ~ Lauren W.

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But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. (James 1:22-27 NKJV)

On May 1st & 2nd, torrential rains pummeled Nashville, TN and surrounding areas, bringing more than 13 inches of rain in less than 48 hours. The result was creeks, rivers and lakes overflowing, washing away roads, homes, livestock and livelihoods. In all 29 people died, thousands lost everything and the places we’ve come to know and love in Nashville were completely underwater – the Grand Ole’ Opry, Opryland Hotel, the Titan’s stadium, the Predator’s Arena, historic downtown and much more.

The storm and its catastrophic results are being called things like, “the 1000-year flood,” “the costliest non-hurricane disaster in the nation,” and “the worst disaster to strike Nashville since the Civil War.”

As Nashville’s sister-city to the south, many of us have friends and family there who’ve been impacted by the storm. A good deal of those we know reside in the residential areas hardest hit by the storm – Bellevue, Kingston Springs, Pegram & Dickson, TN. So, we’ve partnered with Cross Point Community Church (crosspoint.tv) to assist them as they focus their clean up and recovery efforts within these communities.

We are supporting Cross Point both financially and with volunteer assistance. Our first response team from Fusion departed on Friday, May 7th for a weekend trip to help demo homes and salvage belongings. (See the video update from that trip below.)

Additional teams continue to depart each weekend throughout the month of June. If you would like to be a part of a Nashville Flood Relief team, please email Josh Wilkinson at jwilkinson@victorywc.org for the information.

FLOOD RELIEF TEAM INFORMATION:

It is important to remember when considering volunteering for one of our teams that the work will consist of all manual labor – pulling up carpet, stripping dry wall, shoveling debris. Additionally, the accommodations will require you to bring a sleeping bag and air mattress.

View the Video Update from our Second Flood Relief Team:

View the Video Update of our First Response Team from Fusion:

View Our iCare Nashville Flood Relief Video:

View Cross Point’s Flood Relief Photos:

Are you struggling with something? Not living life to the fullest? Feeling  overwhelmed at times?  Well the first ChickChat of 2010 was meant for you, for me and every woman that answered, ‘yes.’ Pastor Colleen came forth with a message that’s bound to enhance our lives, as we set out to become The Centered Woman:

How can we do life better? By refusing to allow FEAR to determine what we can do. Becoming a Centered Woman means…

Focus

How many of us are bowing down to the wrong things, when we’re not focused we have difficulty making decisions.  When our focus is on the wrong things, it doesn’t get us anywhere. Lack of focus will lead to discouragement.

Resolution

Unresolved issues will open the door to deception. We often get defensive when we have unknowing and unresolved issues. That’s why we must live in and walk out Gods continual liberty. From condemnation to confidence, we have to search our hearts and have confidence in His mercy and grace. We must be teachable – believe God can give us the perspective and clarity of what’s really going on.

Setting Guards

Most importantly, we need to set some guards and allow those guards to call the shots. God has given us a blue print as “diamonds in his kingdom”.

Speaking of diamonds…a watch from the Diamond Warehouse was given away as a doorprize to the lucky lady whose chair had a green piece of paper under it!!!

Pastor Colleen’s lesson was very touching and is bound to change some things in the lives of those who attended. But don’t take my word for it.  Here are some opinions from other ChickChat attendee’s:

Patrica – I really enjoyed myself. This was my first ChickChat and first time meeting Pastor Colleen. I can tell she really knows the word with scriptures to back it up.

Trish – I felt very touched, I could feel the anointing of Pastor Colleen’s words.

Angela – Awesome! God is a God of order. My coming out tonight was confirmation of the things I suppose to be doing.

Dawnia – This was my first ChickChat, it was really helpful and I really enjoyed myself. I will be asking God, “What He has for me to do” daily. I want to be proactive rather than reactive. I wasn’t sure if I would make it out tonight, I’m really glad I did.

Kim – I really enjoyed the lesson and had a good time hanging out with the girls. I’ve been to every ChickChat except for one.  I can’t wait for the next one.

~ Renee J.

On January 9, we began our annual 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. In conjunction with this, we held special services on each of the Sunday evenings during the fast called, Thirst. The purpose of these special services was to gather corporately as the body of Christ to seek after God. We sought Him in song, dance and prayer. What better way to start the New Year!

Week 1

Here are some key phrases that express the essence of our first Thirst service for 2010:

Deliverance from Addictions

One of the main words spoken was God’s supernatural power to break addictions. Those who wanted true freedom from any addiction were asked to raise their hands. Many hands went up! Pastor Coleen prayed that everyone would receive the healing of the Lord. If you missed this Thirst service and are struggling with any addiction, you need to know that the Lord wants to deliver you from ANY and EVERY addiction that you may have.

Prayer for our Youth

Our teenagers – the next generation – were called to the altar. Everyone else stretched out their hands and covered our teenagers in prayer. We claimed them for the Kingdom! A powerful prayer was prayed by one of our teenagers, and another youth did a dance dedicated to the Lord. Our teens are on fire for God! What an awesome example they are setting for the adults!

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

Have you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit? This was the question asked by Pastor Dennis. Anyone who had not was invited to the altar, where a number of pastors and leaders laid hands on them and prayed with them to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  If you haven’t done so yet, you can come to the front after any of our services and ask one of the altar ministers to pray with you for this.

Dancing for Jesus

Do you recall the scriptures that speak about David dancing? Why do you think he danced? He was dancing for his God! During Thirst, Pastor Dennis led by example as he joined others on the stage and danced for God! We dance because we are FREE!

Freedom in Christ

2 Corinthians 3:17 (Amplified): Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom). We are free from sin so that we can know, love and serve Him! When you go to the Lord, go Thirst y, but also go in expectation – knowing that the Lord will fill you. Be encouraged! God’s love is available 24/7!

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Week 2

The second week of Thirst was AWESOME!  An evening filled with powerful prayers, singing, dancing, jumping for joy and praising the Lord.  As the Spirit led, Pastor Colleen prayed that we would learn how to come before the Lord courageously and allow Him into our hearts.  That was a powerful prayer.  It even touched our teens and school age members.

We were also reminded that we should never feel helpless and say “all we can do is pray.” Rather, the most effective thing we all can do is Pray.   We all know prayer changes things. It’s not dependency but interdependency, God depends on us too, and we have work to do.

Pastor Colleen referenced John 15:4-8.With this on our hearts; specific points of prayer were made on behalf of the Republic of Haiti.  Pastor Dennis invited Haitian members and guests with ties to Haiti to come and stand as a proxy for those in Haiti.  One powerful prayer followed after another as we lifted Haiti up in prayer in every area we could speak of.

Pastor Dennis boldly made a request that the Spirit of the Lord fall down on us.  As we all stood to our feet to dance before the Lord, Pastor Colleen told the teens and children to be bold about Christ.  She invited them to come down to the front of the sanctuary and on stage to dance before the Lord.

We danced boldly before the Lord with our future evangelists, prophets, disciples, ambassadors for Christ and ministers. Then, this Thirst came to a close as our teens prayed over each and every child that was present…it was Awesome!

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Week 3

A spirit of seeking and surrender.  An atmosphere of expectancy. Lovesick worshippers crying out for the Lord to come down.  Many seekers reminding the Lord of His promises.  Some kneeling, some walking with their Bibles open, some laying prostrate. These phrases describe the scene at the final THIRST during our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, a time set apart for us to worship and seek the face of God corporately as a church, crying out for fresh encounters with His presence and for more of Him in our lives.

As these things continued, Pastor Colleen prayed over ministers who had become discouraged in their calls, and they gratefully received.  Joyous worship and dance gave way to prayer over V•Group leaders, for more of God’s manifest presence and gifts to operate in their home groups.  Those leaders were released to pray over those in need of employment, with Pastor Dennis declaring that the answers to these prayers would manifest swiftly.

Pastor Dennis spoke about the anointings of priest and king that had both rested upon David, and then had the “priests” of Victory (our ministry leaders) anoint our “kings” (owners of businesses and leaders in the marketplace) with oil, praying that they would prosper in order to release resources into the kingdom of God.  Pastor Colleen read the mighty decrees in Proverbs 8, declaring that this is the word of the Lord for our kings.

Pastor Dennis charged us to be faithful stewards of all that God has given us, going on to proclaim the greatness of our God even in the face of apparent impossibility.  The leaders prayed over those facing natural impossibilities in their bodies and finances. Then, we departed, worshipping as we went with the assurance that our mountains had surely been “threshed and beaten small” in the presence of the Lord.

We invite you to join us for:
21 Days of Prayer and Fasting
January 9th-29th, 2010

The Power of Prayer & Fasting

As we enter into a new year, it’s time to honor the Lord with our annual 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting. For many years, as a church, we’ve set apart at least 21 days in the month of January to pray and fast for breakthrough in our personal lives, in the body of Christ, in our nation and in our world.

If you will be joining us, we’d like to send you an encouraging and informative email each day during the fast. These emails will serve to strengthen your spirit as you deny your flesh and will also inform you of the needs we will be praying for corporately each day. If you’re interested, you can subscribe here to receive these daily sources of inspiration.

Types of Fasts - You may choose a “Daniel’s Fast” – a diet consisting of fruits and vegetables, or you can participate in a total fast, consisting of water only, or a liquid fast of fresh juices. Other ways to participate include fasting from television, radio, internet, or anything that you recognize as having control over your life. Fasting is something the entire family can participate in to varying degrees – each person in their own way.

About Fasting - It is much easier to fast while active. Fasting will cause hunger pangs initially, but you will get the energy you need from stored fat in the body. If you are under the care of a physician, please seek his/her advice regarding the level of participation that is best suited to your physical condition.

Why Fast? – Fasting is the most powerful spiritual discipline of all those discussed in the Bible. Through fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit can transform your life and produce incredible results. Prayer alone is mighty, but when combined with fasting it produces a powerful force against which hell cannot prevail.

Filling Ourselves during a Fast - The secret to being filled with the Spirit of God is first to empty ourselves. Through fasting, we empty ourselves of food so that He can fill us. Food is man’s greatest carnal impulse. Fasting helps you to master this appetite. When you can control the strongest appetite, you can gain control of the other carnal appetites as well. Your appetite acts as a prayer alarm. Instead of eating to satisfy your cravings, you pray. This keeps you focused all day long. We replace pleasures of the flesh with spiritual pleasure. Psalm 34:8 says, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Taste is a trigger which sets off certain physical and mental reactions or connections. When you taste the Lord through fasting and prayer, it triggers various reactions in your heart.

Best Ways to Prepare Physically for the Fast – While hunger pangs and weakness can be expected, you need not dehydrate, faint or get sick while fasting. There are several ways to prepare yourself physically for a healthy fast:

Days before the Fast

• Stop eating foods that are high in caffeine or sugar.
• Begin drinking more water than usual.

Day before the Fast

• Eat something small every two hours.
• Avoid foods with caffeine or salt.
• Drink plenty of water.

Final Meal before the Fast

• Plan your final meal early enough in the afternoon so there’s no rush to finish before your fast begins.
• This final meal should contain high carbs and low salts.
• Don’t eat too much, but drink plenty of water

Good Advice for Ending Your Fast – After 21 days of fasting you may be tempted to “jump right back in” and eat some of the foods you’ve missed. However, it’s much better to ease back into your normal eating habits rather than suffer from an upset stomach by loading it with foods it’s not ready to digest. Here are some healthy ideas for ending your fast:

• Begin with the simple B.R.A.T. diet – Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast
• Begin with brothy soups and avoid heavy carbs and proteins
• Eat something small and light every two hours; drink plenty of water

Additional health benefits of fasting:

• The body goes through a natural detoxification process, allowing for the release of poisons and toxins from the system.
• Energy is diverted away from the digestive system due to its lack of use, and instead is routed toward the metabolism and the immune system. This allows for a swifter healing process.
• One becomes more rejuvenated due to an improved immune system, as well as the increased production of hormones.
• The body begins to use its fat stores as an energy source, which positively affects one’s cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and weight.
• Going without food imposes a mild stress on the cells of the body, causing the cells to respond by growing stronger and increasing their ability to cope with more severe stress. This causes one to become more resistant to sickness and disease.

With the start of the holiday season quickly approaching, Pastor Colleen Rouse hosted the last ChickChat of 2009 on Friday, November 20th.  “I’ve been to a few ChickChats before and they’ve been amazing.” said Alysha McCree as she strolled around the elegantly decorated Victory World Church V1 main lobby “I appreciate the opportunity to be fed by my Senior Pastor, but I really appreciate the opportunity to fellowship and share.”  At 26, Alysha knows many of her peers could use the wisdom, love and sense of camaraderie that can only come from other women.  “If they’ve come this far without having women pour into their lives, they need to be here.”

Of course, no ChickChat would be complete without the awesome work of the Victory Special Events Team lead by wonder woman Catherine Bach, and they did not disappoint!  Beautifully decorated tables offering assorted teas and beverages dotted the V1 floor creating an easy and relaxed atmosphere.  New mom Susan, attending her second ChickChat, gazed around the lobby taking it all in. “My first experience at ChickChat was good.  It gave me the opportunity to learn.” As her sister-in-law, and first time attendee, Marini, joined her, she continued, “I think it is important to get knowledge and learn how to manage life.”  Marini smiled and added, “I just wanted to come and experience it.”

As the crowd, undeterred by the chilly autumn air and threat of rain, continued to file in, Ada Lopez settled back into one of the conversation areas.   When asked why she attends ChickChat she replied “This is a time for us women to come together.  This allows us to be ministered to and grow together.  I feel great after I come.”

Once the sanctuary doors opened, the evening’s emcee, Ashley Sheering, welcomed the audience and got things off to a great start with a tee shirt toss.  Then, the Victory Praise Team took the stage and warmed the crowd up with praise and worship.  After a short video clip featuring people juggling various objects, Pastor Colleen took the stage to deliver her message entitled “From Marginal Women to Women with Margin,” and what a message it was.  Talk about timely.

Many women will spend the next four weeks agonizing over decorating the house, preparing the perfect holiday meal, shopping for the perfect gifts and serving in various ministries, and will find themselves stretched to their limit.  Think about the days leading up to Thanksgiving, for instance.  Wednesday night comes, you’re making your list and checking it twice.  Turkey – check.  Recipe for Aunt Betty’s special oyster stuffing – check.  Ingredients for your very own so-good-it-will-make-Paula Deen-envious pumpkin pie – check.  Circulars for the Friday sales along with maps and store floor plans – check.  Weight Watchers membership information – check.  See what I mean?  By the time the New Year comes you could find yourself suffering from one of three maladies of the soul:

1. Performance Virus – Doing because you should
2. Perfection Infection – Doing because you can
3. Disease to Please – Doing because you must

Do you make Aunt Betty’s special oyster stuffing because you want to or because it’s a family tradition?  If it’s only because it’s a family tradition you may have Performance Virus.  Ask yourself will it really matter if the stuffing comes from a box?  Besides, do you even like oyster stuffing?  What about your pumpkin pie?  Sure you can make a great pie, but will the world stop if the pumpkin pie comes from the local grocery store?  Probably not, but if you’re convinced it will, then maybe you have Perfection Infection.  Must you get up at 3am on Friday to stand in line with a bunch of other stressed out women to fight over a toy your 4-year old won’t remember next year?  If so then you may be suffering from Disease to Please.  Could you be suffering from one or all of these maladies?  Sadly, most of us are, but there is hope.

Pastor Colleen explained that we need to examine our motives in doing for others, and we need to beware of martyrdom.  Ephesians 2:8 says: “For it is by free grace that you are saved through faith. And this is not of yourselves but it is the gift of God.”  Pastor Colleen encouraged us to embrace His unlimited love (Jeremiah 31:3) and embrace our limited abilities (Psalms 121:1).  She also reminded us that we must master the ability to live within the awareness of the Source of our empowerment.  It’s not about balance it’s about focus.

To top off the evening, we were blessed by surprise guest, Valorie Burton, author of the book “How Did I Get So Busy?” Valorie helped reinforce Pastor Colleen’s message by sharing her own insight and giving the audience something to think about when she cautioned that the enemy keeps us busy to get us off track and keep us away from God’s purpose.  A hilarious question and answer session followed, which included tips for managing your e-mail inbox, effective Blackberry use and overcoming Facebook addiction.  By the end of the evening we had learned that we must have fun, tame our tech habits and most importantly, govern our souls.

Afterwards, the “chicks” returned to the V1 lobby to gather in the candlelit conversation areas and (what else?) chat while enjoying specially brewed coffees and delectable desserts, including a tasty chocolate treat that quickly disappeared.

If you missed ChickChat this year, have no fear, the first ChickChat of 2010 is planned for February 19.  So mark your calendars and come expecting to have fun and be blessed! ~ Karla E.

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(click an image to see entire gallery of photos from this event)

On a rainy Sunday night, it was a welcome sight indeed to see the volunteers from Victory Vida greeting concerned parents who had gathered for Porn and Parents. The Victory Vida worship team set a tone of expectation as they led the group into worship in both English and Spanish. In spite of the pouring rain, V3 was packed out with parents eager to learn what they could do to help their teens keep safe in their Internet usage.

Craig Gross began by giving some startling statistics: 65% of parents are unaware of what their children are doing online; 8 out of 10 teen boys are struggling with porn; 90% of teens are online. So what do we do? Craig summed it up in a few points:

1. Have a conversation with your teens about this issue. He recommended this link: xxxchurch.com/gethelp/parents/resources.html that can give parents the tools they need to discuss this issue with their teens,
2. Move your computer to a public area in the house. He reminded parents of their parental role in this issue – with 13 -18 year olds spending an average of 72 hours a week using some sort of technology – almost two full time jobs – parents do not want to leave their children open to harm;
3. Safeguard your computer, just as you do your television set. It is vital for everyone to have filters and software on your computer to protect your children. He mentioned both filter and accountability software that is readily available through x3watch.com.

Craig also cautioned about the dangers of unmonitored use of social media sites, pointing out that most parents would not allow their teens to travel wherever they want, whenever they want, but routinely let them do that in the online world.

Most teens do not realize the dangers that are inherent in distributing personal information online. The internet is full of online predators, and parents must ensure that they regularly check any social media accounts that their children maintain in order to keep them safe from harm.

The evening ended with an open Q & A session with Craig Gross and Pastors Dennis and Colleen, who have already navigated this world with their own teen. Then, they challenged all the parents to stand firm as they protect their children, even when their children and other parents pressure them to give in. After all, we are responsible to the Lord for them. Pastor Dennis then closed in prayer, asking for wisdom for parents and protection for our teens. ~ Pamela B.

Nearly 700 men came out on a sunny Saturday morning to enjoy a pancake breakfast and talk about a subject that could actually take away your appetite: Pornography.

As breakfast got underway, comedian David Dean lightened the mood with some good humor explaining the secret to a happy life and marriage…you have to giggle…a lot…at yourself. In the midst of the humor, he brought a good message: Your giggle, the joy in your heart, could be your greatest testimony.

Next, Craig Gross, Pastor and Founder of XXXchurch.com, a.k.a. “the porn pastor,” told the story behind XXXchurch.com. It started because he wanted to create a safe place online where people could get the truth about porn and get help.

Then, Gross continued by candidly speaking about the issue of pornography and sexual addiction. He said, “What you’re looking at online will eventually take you offline. You can never get enough.” He exposed the lie that no one is really hurt by porn. “The truth,” he said, “is that there are people that are hurt by this stuff – the consumers, their wives and families and the models and producers as well.”

Gross said, “This issue is very progressive. Once you get into it, you keep having to get a little more, and soon, that’s not enough, and you have to go deeper and deeper to get the same thrill. Unfortunately, most of the time people with this issue don’t even want to get help, at least not until they’ve hit rock bottom. Pornography is a very selfish thing; it pleases no one but self.”

Closing out his segment, Gross listed six ways to ruin your life:

1. Fight temptation with willpower – we’re men, aren’t we?!
2. Believe this lie: “just a little porn is okay.” “It’s just______.” “porn training wheels” You can’t delete the images from your mind. It’s progressive, you’ll want more and more.
3. Spend more time online and less time in God’s Word.
4. Wing it when it comes to your integrity. “Looking once means I’m alive; looking twice means I’ve dissed my wife.” We’ve got to address our issues before they take us out.
5. Go solo. Joining up with others, opening up don’t come naturally to guys. Never met anyone who’s gotten over a problem with porn by themselves. Use X3watch.
6. Believe this lie: “If you fail, just give up.”

Next up, Donny Pauling, a.k.a. Donovan Phillips, ex-porn producer, shared this powerful

testimony:

Raised a pastor’s son, he grew to hate the people in the churches, which were very legalistic. It seemed like everything was wrong. From his perspective, God wasn’t fun and kept people from having fun. People in church were hypocrites. Then, he met a “real” Christian girl and started pretending in order to keep their relationship going. He became the very thing he had grown to hate: a hypocrite.

Pauling started producing porn secretly after he got married, doing it behind his wife’s back for three years, making tons of money. Eventually, he ended up cheating on her and when he confessed to her all that he was doing, it effectively ended their marriage.

He said, “I watched the light go out of a whole lot of [girls’] eyes right before me.” The models’ lives usually fell apart. Even free sites contribute to the trail of broken lives. “Still, I proudly told former church “friends” that I was a porn producer,” he said, “defending myself by saying that if there was no demand, there would be no supply.”

Over time, however, hearing story after story of people’s lives being destroyed and broken, it started to get to him. Then he saw the xxxchurch.com booth at a porn convention. As he began interacting with Craig Gross and his team, Pauling saw them showing unconditional love to himself and others. And this blew away his paradigm. He could no longer justify his hatred of Christians.  His heart started softening. He even started praying. When offered an amazing contract by Playboy, he gave thanks to God, and then immediately knew how petty it was. He started trying to bargain with God, but then he knew his porn career was over; that he couldn’t do it anymore. He hadn’t yet given his life to God, but he just  couldn’t pick up his camera. A few months later, he realized he needed to start trusting God, and gave his life to Christ.

Although they had gotten divorced, Pauling had continued to support his ex-wife. While he had been producing the porn, he was living lavishly and hadn’t saved any of the money. So when he quit, he lost pretty much everything. He was completely blown away with gratitude and humility that during this time, the xxxchurch people started supporting him, and his wife’s bills never went unpaid. After a period of detox, his ex-wife began to share with him how God helped her through the pain.

Now Pauling has started a new business, and his ex-wife actually works for him, and sometimes they talk of reconciliation. He continues to receive letters of support and encouragement through the xxxchurch.com site, as well as from others seeking his help. He also regularly gets letters from some of his former models whose lives are still being ruined by their past. He read one of these by a former photo-only model. The pictures that he had take in the past are still haunting and destroying her life. She was desperate and there isn’t really anything he can do. He stated this poignant truth, “Nobody in the [porn] business ends up being grateful for being involved.”

Pauling closed with this exhortation: “If you’re struggling with porn, know that God has a purpose for your life. After He gets you free, He’ll use you to minister in others’ lives. Come clean to God so He can come along side of you. If God can get me free, He can get you free. No one is hopeless!”

Pastor Dennis concluded the morning saying, “This has been one of the major issues that I’ve seen men have to deal with over the years that I’ve been a pastor – sexual bondage was a huge issue in my life when I came to the Lord. We need to have accountability in our lives. Accountability is being regularly answerable about the issues in your life to someone who is qualified to help you. Every guy needs to have at least one or two guys that they’re accountable to – guys who will ask the hard questions. Porn is no respecter of persons – it doesn’t matter who you are – it is taking people down from every walk of life. I want to challenge every one of you guys to get an accountability partner if you don’t already have one. We’ll only be accountable to the degree we want to be accountable. If you want to be free you’ve got to be truly accountable. No one can go it alone. God wants to set captives free and deliver us from demonic strongholds. He wants to set our lives on a course of purity!”

A few years ago, the group Rascal Flatts had a huge hit with a song called Life is a Highway. Maybe you’ve heard it – the chorus goes: “Life is a highway; I want to ride it all night long…” The highway of life is an amazing journey, but it can be dangerous, and if we’re not paying attention, we’ll wind up in places we never planned on visiting: Exit 15 – Sex addiction, Exit 23 – Porn addiction.

If you attend Victory World Church then you are well aware that Pastors Dennis and Colleen are not afraid to hit the highway and get into an occasional collision; and on Friday, September 18th, that is exactly what happened when the church and pornography collided in an event called Porn and Pastries.

Statistics show that 20% of Christian women are addicted to pornography, and with 50% of Christian men also addicted, there are a lot of Christian women who are impacted by pornography. Because most churches have been reluctant to discuss the topic of pornography, these women have suffered through the pain and shame of porn addiction alone and in silence. That is until Porn and Pastries.

Seven years ago, Pastor Craig Gross founded XXXChurch.com to help people struggling with porn addiction. In 2006, he began Porn and Pancakes, which gives men the opportunity to come together and discuss porn over a pancake breakfast. Seeing the need to offer the same support and outreach to women, Porn and Pastries was created. Christian women discussing pornography? Can you imagine? No way; that will never happen! Well, it did happen and we had the awesome opportunity to host over 900 women who came out to learn about the devastating effects of pornography on individuals and families.  Even the Atlanta Journal Constitution and the Associated Press took note.

Tammy Smart, a member of Victory, came out to learn about porn addiction “I’m always looking to learn something new. This is a great opportunity to learn about something we don’t discuss and be able to get Godly truth.” As the women sat at tables set up on the floor of the main sanctuary, enjoying pastries and parfaits served by Catherine Bachman’s Hospitality Dream Team, music and laughter filled the room. “Esto es muy importante debido a la libertad que tenemos que escuchar y hablar la verdad,” responded Vianey Cortez, when asked about the importance of the evening. (Translation: This is very important because of the freedom we have to hear and speak the truth.) Her friends Patricia and Rosanna agreed, “It will be a great opportunity to hear this kind of truth uncovered. People will be delivered and set free.”

As more women filtered in, the Hospitality Team – outfitted in safari hats – deftly maneuvered through the crowd, providing coffee and ensuring empty pastry plates were quickly replenished, while Summer Bowie welcomed the crowd and opened the evening in prayer. Although the prospect of hearing frank talk about pornography made some a little uneasy, there was an overwhelming sense that the discussion was needed. “I invited several people,” said Betsy Wolf as she settled into her seat, “Some declined because they are not married. But this is not just for married women. This will give us the opportunity to guard against it and get knowledge to help others.”

After praise and worship led by Heather Mangum and an interpretive dance routine, Pastor Colleen took the stage and told the audience that they were “courageous” and “a catalyst for change”. “Tonight we’re going to hear truth!” she declared to a thunderous round of applause. As the crowd settled down, Pastor Colleen introduced Craig Gross. A hush fell over the sanctuary as he explained why he founded XXXChurch.com and how pornography can start off seemingly innocent and without warning become a dangerous, often destructive addiction. He warned about the dangers of the Internet and the need for monitoring and accountability for children and adults when online.

While Craig’s message was powerful and disturbing, Michele Truax’s personal story of the devastating impact her husband’s pornography addiction had on their marriage struck a nerve. Michele shared that she, like many women, was aware of her husband’s issues with pornography prior to their marriage, but thought they would go away after marriage. “It’s important as women to know who we are in Christ. Not the superficial image.” She explained to the crowd. While her husband’s addiction to porn left Michele feeling like she was nothing and filled with hurt, bitterness and anger, Michele stressed the importance of forgiveness. “Stay close to the Godly people in your life,” Michele advised, “and serve. Serving gets you out of yourself.”

Just when the crowd thought they had heard all they needed to know about pornography, author Shelly R. Warren took the stage and completely mesmerized the crowd with her personal story of being addicted to pornography and sex. Unabashedly and unflinchingly she discussed the allure of porn and the impact her sexual promiscuity had on her mind, body and soul. Shelly explained that porn was a gateway and illustrated the dangers of allowing gateways into our souls by reading 1 Timothy 4. Shelly’s story was not warm and fuzzy, and definitely not something you would expect to hear in church; and while Shelly’s disarming charm and wit brought a lightness and sense of humor that allowed the audience to laugh, it was clear – porn, no matter how harmless it may seem, is dangerous and destructive. “Low self-esteem,” Shelly explained, “is the biggest problem. We need to see our value.” Shelly punctuated this by reading Matthew 7:6.

By the end of the night, the message was clear – keep your eyes on the road and steer clear of those seemingly innocent exits on your journey down the highway of life. ~ Karla E.