Welcome to the Victory Blog

Enter the main sanctuary of Victory World Church and take a look around. On the walls you will notice four large pictures, each with a statement: Reconciling Cultures, Building Families, Transforming Community and Impacting the World. Those statements are Victory’s pillars and on Saturday, July 10th members of the Victory World Church family brought the pillar of Transforming Community to the Alcovy Springs Subdivision in Lawrenceville.

When most people think about transforming a community they imagine a poor neighborhood in the inner-city or a desolate village in Africa, so I was more than a little surprised as I turned into what appeared to be a very nice, middle-class neighborhood. “This is where we’re serving?” I asked myself as I navigated the sidewalk-lined streets and waved as I passed several teams of people wearing blue tee-shirts proclaiming “This is What Community Looks Like” and bravely battling the 95º+ heat as they cut lawns, painted mailbox posts and trimmed hedges.

As I climbed out of the air-conditioned comfort of my car, and was nearly knocked down from the intense heat, I was convinced that the extreme heat was causing me to hallucinate. I checked my directions and confirmed that I was indeed in the right place so I headed off to find the organizers of the event. I quickly caught up with our V•Groups Pastor and newly-elected Alcovy Springs Homeowner’s Association President, Rich Mace, as well as Missions Pastor Dennis Russell.

As we walked through the neighborhood, Pastor Rich explained that he and Pastor Dennis Russell had wanted to organize a family-friendly outreach that focused on the pillar of Transforming Community. Pastor Rich explained “We often focus on the needs of the poor, but there are many people living in middle-class neighborhoods that are suffering and many do not know the Lord.” It was this revelation that led him to propose the idea of a community outreach to the Alcovy Springs Homeowners Association, and within five weeks, he was given the go ahead.

“The community has responded well” he commented. “They are seeing the blessing and coming out. The idea is to pay it forward. Hopefully they will go out and do this in another neighborhood.” Pastor Dennis Russell further explained, “This is a model. A lot of our outreach focuses on the poor and the homeless. We wanted a way to minister to the middle-class and bring Jesus to them as well.” He continued, “It allows us to connect and build relationships. It is a spiritual connection and brings healing and restoration.” Pastor Dennis Russell added that it will take a few months to see the impact, but the mid-term effect will be in how well the homeowners maintain their homes and community.

Karri Street, an Alcovy Springs resident came out with her children, Victoria 11 and Kyle 9, to participate. “I think this is a great idea. It’s nice to have a lot of people chipping in. Every neighborhood needs this. I hope this fosters community spirit.”

Peter Dawkins, a Victory World Church member for almost 4 years, brought his small group out to help. His wife, Lorna, shared how a homeowner had approached her team with tears in his eyes and stated that this outreach was “huge” and should be taken world-wide. Like Carol Holcomb, many volunteers were moved by the reaction of the homeowners as they realized the impact their effort was having.

After all the hard work, volunteers and community joined together for a cook-out complete with music and games. While cooling down and enjoying the food and festivities, Victory World Church members Carrie and Robert Raboud explained their reason for volunteering. “We have been asking the Lord for ways we could serve” said Carrie “and the Lord has been giving us opportunities.” While unsuccessful in getting daughter Izabella to participate in the Hokey-Pokey, they both agreed the experience had been great.

Finally, in response, neighborhood resident Mike Vincent wrote the following:

Thank you for your parish’s time and service. The day of service/volunteer work you provided our subdivision was amazing. Since the birth of my first child, I haven’t been able to do all the things I would like to maintain my home. I am still trying to find a good work/life balance with the new one.

Your help a couple of weeks ago served as a reinforcement that good people do exist and that teamwork always win. I hope this act of kindness brings our neighborhood together like I know it will.

Once again thank you for the time and generosity. We hope as a community we will be able to return the favor.

Well done, Victory! This is another great example of your commitment to being the hands and feet of Jesus to everyone around us and around the world!  (by Karla E. – VWC Press)

Hey! What’s God been doing in or through your life at Victory? Please share your story here.

During the month of June, as you my recall, our iCare giving was focused on supporting one of our close local partners in ministry, the Norcross Co-op. Through both financial and material donations, we joined together to bless this ministry and those they serve in a big way – hundreds of families will be given the help and hope they so desperately need. Here is an excerpt of a letter that Shirley Cabe, the Co-op’s Director, wrote in response:

Dear Pastors, leaders and members of Victory World Church:

On behalf of the Norcross Cooperative Ministry Board of Directors, staff, volunteers and clients, thank you so much for your recent donation of $35,042 from the iCare offering during the month of June. This awesome blessing will help many families in our community who are struggling to make ends meet. I also want to thank everyone for the food donations that came in during the month. VWC members donated over 500 bags of food and personal care items.

Over the last few months, we have experienced a 25% increase in the number of our client visits. Currently we are serving over 1,100 families per month. Many of these families have never come to us for help before. Your donation will be used to help these families with basic needs: food, help with utility bill payments, rental assistance and temporary lodging for our homeless families with children.

Thank you again for your donation and your continued support of the outreach and ministries of Norcross Cooperative Ministry. Please continue to pray for our clients, this community and the staff and volunteers of Norcross Co-op. Working together we can transform this community, one family at a time.

In Christ,

Shirley Cabe

Thank you, Victory for your compassion and generosity!

If you’re a regular attender at Victory and God’s been doing something in or through your life here, please consider helping to build the faith of others by sharing your story here.

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

Over the last four months since the catastrophic earthquake decimated the impoverished island nation of Haiti, many people from Victory World Church and others in our community, have generously given of their resources in an incredible way. Here is a synopsis of the things that God has accomplished thus far (as of May 12th, 2010) through this outpouring of compassion:

• We have sent 27 people to Haiti in three different mission teams, with more on the way.
• Provided $800K of relief for $40K investment on trip 1
  • Delivered full day’s ration to over 150,000 people
  • Delivered over 38,000 gallons of water
  • Provided wood for Canadian Navy to build 2 shelters for 96 orphans
• Had a role in the building of 6 more shelters for 288 orphans
  • 4 shelters built by Canadians using wood we provided
  • 2 shelters built by team 3 using wood Canadian Navy provided
• Provided mattresses and pillows for 240 beds for orphans (trip 2 and 3)
• Provided sheets and pillowcases for 96 beds for orphans (trip 2)
• Provided Medical Relief
  • Dr. Donavan Christie saw hundreds of patients (trip 1)
  • Progressive Medical saw hundreds of patients (trip 2)
• Sent by 20’ container #1: Over $25K worth of clothing, food, and medical supplies. Items were distributed by team 2 to two orphanages and one displaced persons camp
• Sent by 40’ container #2: Over $82K worth of clothing, food, water, medical supplies, tents (420), tarps (300), generators (3), and construction tools. Items were distributed by team 3 to two displaced person camps, an orphanage, a TB hospital, Operation Hope and Grace International
• En route by container #3: $272K worth of goods is on its way now [1800 tents, $80K in medical supplies, 40’x60’ tent (temporary church and school for orphanage) food, and clothes]

And here’s a closer look at our work with the orphanages:

After the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Victory World Church and International Crisis Aid (ICA) first responded by providing food and water to an orphanage in Leogane, Haiti that once provided a home for up to 100 children, a school for 400 children and a church for the community, but which had collapsed in the earthquake. Thankfully, none of the children were in the buildings during the earthquake. However, since that time, they had been sleeping on the grass under thin sheets, and their food would have lasted just two more days when Victory World Church and ICA arrived.

That night ICA President Pat Bradley said, “As we walked in, we found the kids singing Bible songs. It was music to my ears! At the same time, it was the worst destruction I’ve ever seen. Everything is completely leveled. No one has been to help them yet. No one would have found this place. Most of the children are very young — around three to ten years old. These are children were orphaned before the earthquake, and now, the little they did have is also gone.”

We believe God took us to Haiti to find this orphanage. Over the next few days, as the number of children quickly increased to 100, ICA was able to secure enough food, water, powdered milk and blankets from the US Marines to last several weeks at the orphanage. The Canadian Army led the debris clean-up and assisted with distributions. Today, most of the debris on the compound has been cleared. This was the first of four orphanages Victory World Church and ICA assisted.

With the assistance of the Canadian Navy, we have already completed four shelters for more than 240 children at four different orphanage compounds. The first two shelters were built at what we have come to call “Our Orphanage” — the first compound Victory World Church and ICA discovered. As this number continues to grow, ICA is planning to rebuild the one orphanage for 100 children, school for 400 children and church in its entirety. If funding allows, the goal is to enlarge the compound to allow for more orphans to have a home.

More info about this orphanage

• The orphanage was founded and built by a Haitian businessman who used the profits from his business and very few donations from the community to build the compound over time.
• The orphanage sits on approximately 3 acres of level land.
• The average age of the children at the orphanage is 10 years old.
• There were originally 50 girls and 35 boys in January, but the number of children is growing due to the number of new orphans displaced by the January earthquake.
• The average length of time the children have lived at the orphanage is more than 4 years.
• ICA and the orphanage director are working with a professional construction engineer for site preparations and to design the new compound.
• ICA plans to use concrete blocks that are made to be hurricane and earthquake resistant, providing a safer facility for the children. ICA is in conversations with businesses that specialize in this type of building materials.
• There was a fence surrounding the compound which will need to be taken down and rebuilt.
• ICA intends to build the orphanage using both experienced construction worker volunteer teams from the U.S. and Haitians. We believe it is important to involve the local Haitian community in this project. The Haitians will be paid labor.
• This orphanage will provide a safe home for at least 100 children who are orphaned or whose parents are unable to meet their basic needs. It will also serve as a school for at least 400 children from the community. The orphanage has been and will continue to be a Christian orphanage where the children are brought up under Christian principles and the Word of God. ICA’s goal is to raise these children to be the next generation leaders of their nation, rather than adopting them out of the country.
• In the future, and as funding becomes available, ICA intends to implement vocational training programs at the school, which will not only teach the older children trades they can eventually start their own business from, but that will also provide sustainability for the compound. Before the orphanage collapsed, they had a bakery which was just starting to produce some income for the operational budget. ICA plans to rebuild the bakery in time. In addition, ICA plans to obtain a Cement Block Making Machine which will allow us to make blocks for the orphanage and also sell them to the community.

Thank you!

First we want to thank our wonderful congregation and the many friends of VWC in Atlanta and around the world for your interest in helping the people trying to survive the earthquake and its aftereffects in Haiti.  Your prayers and giving are making it possible for us to respond to the situation in Haiti and help restore and rebuild this country. Below is the latest update regarding our fight(s) and teams leaving to assist:

As you know, the situation on the ground in Port au Prince is dire.  Airport activity is restricted and the port is destroyed; so a continual flow of incoming aid is hindered. To make matters worse, the disorder and disorganization on the ground is negatively effecting distribution.  You have seen the pictures and video in the media so you know how the situation has been deteriorating over the last few days.  There have, however, been signs of improvement today (as far as distribution and security are concerned), so we are praying that the situation on the ground continues to head in the right direction.

Our top priorities for our trip are 1) physical relief and medical care to the people of Haiti, and 2) safety and security for our team.  We feel pretty good about the relief and medical part, and are very close to insuring the safety and security part, which has been a portion of the delay all along.  The other part of the delay has been getting clearance to land an airplane. The US Military has taken control of the airport and has highly tightened their criteria for issuing clearances to land.  Our inside sources tell us that this is a temporary development that will change soon.

For four days, we have been working the phones non-stop; and every time we would get a break through, the rules would change and we would have to start over.  The rules are still changing and so we are trying to adapt.  It makes it very difficult to organize in such a fluid and unstable environment.  But for the sake of the Haitian people, we are continuing to push on. Please continue to pray.

When we have security and clearance secured at the same time, then we will know its time to leave.  Because we were close this weekend, we decided to put out the word and start seeing who is available so we can be ready when it is time.  Yesterday, it looked like we were good for a Tuesday departure on a US Military Transport plane, but it turned out that the US government pulled the plug.  We now have a 30-seat private jet ready to depart from Atlanta later this week, all depending on clearance and security. It looks like both components are moving in the right direction, we just don’t know how fast.

Here is some information regarding the mission itself.  We will be partnering with three organizations: Medishare of Haiti, Hospitals for Humanity of Gwinnett County, and International Crisis Aid of Missouri. Our relief efforts will help to support Grace International’s operations in Haiti.

Medishare is the most respected medical relief organization in Haiti, as considered by the government of Haiti itself.  Because of this, we are close to securing a 25-man UN armed security detail at the Medishare base where we most likely will set up base operations.  It is a walled community just outside Port au Prince.

Hospitals for Humanity is a highly experienced organization in medical field hospital operations.  They just returned from a trip to Nigeria where they treated over 10,000 patients in one week.  They have a highly effective and proven medical missions model.

International Crisis Aid is a relief organization that has brought relief to the Sudan, the tsunami effected areas, Ethiopia, Afghanistan and elsewhere.  Pat Bradley, the founder, will be directing the part of our mission which will address the non-medical concerns (food, water, shelter, etc).

All organizations involved will also be assessing the situation on the ground for the purpose of developing a long term plan for helping the people of Haiti, which will provide valuable information for subsequent trips.

How many will go on the first team will depend on seat availability on the plane.  Preference will be given to those in the medical profession, translators, and those with cross-cultural relief experience.  Those not able to participate in this first trip can more than likely find a place on a subsequent trip that will not be so heavily focused on medical relief, and not have strict space limitations.

We will do everything within our power to give at least a 2 or 3 day notice before departure.  But please know that we may find ourselves in a situation where we have a small window of opportunity or a situation where we are on standby for a few days.  Some things are just out of our hands, but we believe at the right time, God will open the door for us.  As of now, we are shooting for Wednesday – but it could be later.

We are committed to sending the first team as soon as security and clearance can be secured; if it takes 3 days or if it takes three weeks.  We appreciate your prayers and your patience as we seek to navigate these very difficult waters.

For most of my early Christian life, I was trying to earn God’s approval and feel valuable, not realizing just how valuable I am to God. Yet, the truth is that He values us so highly. I want each of you to understand how God sees you as we move forward into the next year.

So many things in this earth are designed to try to steal value. Abortion, abuse, abandonment and many other things contribute to people being devalued. Millions of people feel undervalued or valueless because of things like these. When people feel they have lost their value, they will lose their values. We need to know just how valuable we are. What makes us valuable? Here are some truths that we need to keep in mind whenever the devil tries to get us feeling valueless:

• We are valuable because of the price that was paid for us – Jesus’ blood shed on the cross.
• We are valuable because of the position we’re placed in – we’ve been seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus. We’re all covered with a robe of righteousness – it’s Jesus’ righteousness. None of us are superior or inferior to others.
• We are valuable because of the high calling to which we have been called – every one of us have a purpose, we’ve been created to do something specific in the kingdom of God.
• We are valuable because of the potential that’s inside of us – we are like apples seeds, each of which contains the potential to become a tree full of apples, which could become an orchard and so on. We have unlimited potential.
• We are valuable because of the people we can reach – each of us are in this earth to reach others, to touch their lives and to bring them into the kingdom.

Let me encourage you to meditate on these things. Listen to or watch the message I gave this past weekend about this topic. Get it in your spirit. So many of us are missing out on the fullness of life that God intends for us to have because we have fallen prey to the enemy’s tactic of making us feel valueless. But, if we’ll get these truths fixed firmly in our hearts, the results – in our lives and in the world around us – will be amazing!

Now, as you enter into 2010, I pray that you will be blessed abundantly and come to know just how valuable you are to God!

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)

The crowd was huge for 212˚ as over 500 middle and high school students filled the floor of Victory’s main sanctuary. The band started to play, and the electrifying worship, that has become so characteristic to 212˚, began. Students rushed to the front with the sort of passion that it seems only young people can bring to their pursuit of God.

The word was clear, blunt and sobering as Donny Pauling, a.k.a., Donovan Phillips, ex-porn producer, revealed the cold, harsh realities of an industry and lifestyle bound in sexual perversion. His in-your-face tone and matter-of-fact way of saying things brought an emotion that is seldom felt in a crowd full of teenagers…gravity.

His raw presentation of not only the facts, but his own brokenness, earned their respect. His transparency was admired by all as he spoke to a generation who esteem honesty as, perhaps, their greatest virtue.

As I looked across the crowd, I saw young men who I’ve walked with over the years in their struggle with pornography. Even as I think of their battle now, my heart breaks for them. After the service was over, I saw one of these young men…and in his eyes, I saw a light…I sensed in him the freedom of a man who has just heard the truth. (See John 8.32) It was the look of a man (and I think it was this way for many) who still had a disease, but had just found the cure.

I think that Porn and Pizza was the beginning of a conversation wherein many will “confess their sins that they may be healed.” It was the beginning of a journey for those whose pursuit of God will not be impeded by the “besetting sins” of this world. May they run and not grow weary; may they walk and not faint! ~ Levi C.

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!”