Leadership Journal

The number one Christian porn site on the internet. That is how youth pastors Craig Gross and Mike Foster advertise their ministry intended to help those addicted to online pornography. With humor and candor, XXXchurch.com warns about the dangers of pornography with unconventional campaigns like the Porn Mobile and the NoHoZone, advising modest dress. Both ordained ministers in Southern California, they are featured in a new documentary Missionary Positions and have appeared in GQ and on the 700 Club. We spoke with Gross in the only free time he had during a recent spate of appearances, 6:30 a.m. on a Thursday.

Where did the idea for xxxchurch.com come from?

We saw how many people were struggling with pornography and how uncomfortable the church was addressing it. Then Mike shared with me at lunch one day that God put it on his heart to do something to help. So, we decided to create a safe community online where people could deal with their problem. Over 30 million people have visited the site, and 150,000 have downloaded the free accountability software.

Why has the church been slow to address the problem of online pornography?

When 37 percent of our pastors say porn is a temptation to them, it's much harder for them to talk about it in the church. And some people are afraid to address the topic because they don't know what's going to come out. It can get really messy.

You've created some provocative awareness campaigns like Pete the Porno Puppet. Why are these tactics necessary?

We don't do things just for shock value. Pete the Porno Puppet has never been about the puppet. We filmed that public service ad with the help of a pornographer. It allowed us to build a relationship with him. Later he asked Mike and me to perform his daughter's wedding. People don't realize that because of the puppet we have a relationship with a pornographer who has no contact with other Christians. A lot of people wrote us off for hanging out with a pornographer, but isn't that exactly what Jesus would do?

So your ministry isn't just for those struggling with porn, but reaching out to those producing it?

Our ministry is bigger than pornography. We want to show people the good news of Christ by being real Christians, in the real world, addressing real issues. Jesus was all about taking his message to the gutter. It's dangerous and it's dirty, but I feel that's what we've done by reaching out to people who produce porn.

In what ways are churches able do tackle pornography directly?

Some churches are hosting what they call "Porn Sundays," and it's amazing to see what happens. People from the community flood in because a church is finally addressing something that everyone knows about and struggles with. The Porn Sunday campaign has been so effective that it will be a nationwide event on October 9. One topic, one day, 200 churches.

What do you tell pastors who are reluctant to address pornography openly?

What are you waiting for? Ten years ago this was a topic for a Saturday men's ...