Contact XXXchurch
The Team: Craig Gross is the founder and leader of XXXchurch.com. Working alongside Craig is an amazing group of people including Jeanette Gross, Jake Larson, Ryan Russell, Michelle Truax, Brian McGinness, Rachel Collins, Cris Clapp, Shellie R. Warren, Jameson Ketchum, Steve Sutton, Carl Thomas and some great creatives and volunteers. (SCROLL DOWN TO SEE SOME FUN STUFF ABOUT OUR TEAM)
The Board: XXXchurch is a non-profit 501 C3 organization that sits under the umbrella of Fireproof Ministries. There is an executive team and an advisory board.
The Name: XXXchurch is provocative, memorable, and it combines the seedy and the sacred.
The Mission: Porn addiction is one of the most difficult addictions to overcome. XXXchurch is your resource online to fight porn addiction. We prevail through awareness, prevention and recovery.
The Vibe: It's hip, relevant, honest, fun, and designed for people just like you.
The Belief: What we believe about Jesus click here.
Wikepedia: Click here
International Headquarters:
XXXchurch.com
PO Box 50048
Pasadena, CA 91115
Phone/Fax: 626-628-3387
EMAIL: info@xxxchurch.com
Donations Questions/Help
Ryan Russell
X3Watch Questions/Help:
X3watch Site: www.x3watch.com
Help: www.x3watch.com/techsupport.html
Media/Press:
Phone/Fax: 626-628-3387
Booking Information:
EM Michelle: michelle@xxxchurch.com
Click here for online booking form
PH: 626-628-3387
Email Directory:
Craig Gross - Founder of XXXchurch.com
Ryan Russell - Fireproof Ministries Director
Rachel Collins - Porn Show Superstar
Jake Larson - Ministry Development/ Relations
Brian McGinness - XXXchurch Site Manager
Michelle Truax - Event Coordinator
Ginny Spier - Prayer Team Mom
Tara Ulrich - Strip Church Coordinator
Cris Clap Logan - Site Resources & Content
Steve Sutton - Social Media Coordinator
Carl Thomas - X3groups Coordinator
Other X3 Stuff Online
X3 Official Online Store: X3 Store
Itunes Podcast: Subscribe Here
Porn Sunday: www.pornsunday.com
Porn and Pancakes: www.pornandpancakes.com
Accountability Software: www.x3watch.com
Facebook Fan: Facebook
X3 Myspace: X3 Myspace
Facebook Cause: X3 Facebook
Fireproof Ministries: Fireproof Site
Here is a bit more about our team. Enjoy!
CRAIG GROSS - photo 1996
Who are you: My name is Craig Gross and I am married to Jeanette and we have two kids and have just suffered the loss of our three fish. We live in Southern California and have been around since this thing was just an idea.
What do you do for XXXchurch: I run the day-to-day operations of the ministry, speak on behalf of XXXchurch, and do some writing for the site and some of our resources. My favorite part of the ministry is the ability to connect with people that I never would have met or had a relationship with if it was not for this ministry.
Favorite Movie: A tie between Better Off Dead and Rain Man.
Favorite Band: Toad The Wet Sprocket
Favorite blog, video, post or page on XXXchurch.com: My favorite post on XXXchurch - This is tough, but this is the first girl we helped out of the industry. People got behind this project and we raised all the money we needed in just two days.
http://www.xxxchurch.com/thehaps/trinityprojectupdate.html
Three Favorite websites:
One thing that might surprise people about you: I had seizures and wore braces on my feet when I was a kid, so I was pretty much like Forrest Gump except for the part in the movie where he got too excited with Jenny.
JEANETTE GROSS - photo 2005
Who are you: I grew up in Oregon in a family of three kids, became a Christian when I was 19, and left for California to go to Pacific Christian College. I met Craig Gross, my husband, shortly after and we have been married for 14 years. We have 2 children, Nolan (9) and Elise (7). We currently live in my favorite place ever, Pasadena, CA!
What you do for XXXchurch: A bit of this and that--accounting, taxes, payroll, donor receipts, whatever my boss Craig tells me to do.
How you got connected to the ministry: My husband Craig started Fireproof Ministries in 1998 when we first got married and I have been connected ever since!
Favorite movie: The Notebook
Favorite band: Florence and the Machine
Favorite blog, video, post or page on XXXchurch.com: Of course, the PSA with my son Nolan and Ron Jeremy!
Three favorite websites or apps: At the moment…Instagram, USA Today, and Tumblr
One thing that might surprise people about you: I met my biological father for the first time when I was 33 years old.
JAMESON KETCHUM - photo 1999
Who are you: I currently reside in Oregon aka the greatest place on earth. I'm a music journalist, editor, publicist, tour manager for the greatest band of all time, Fallstar. I'm currently watching Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny. I think Ben Stiller was funnier in the '90s.
What you do for XXXchurch: For XXXchurch I manage the teen blog section. I also created the Voices video series.
How you got connected to the ministry: I wrote a piece on Craig and XXXchurch for my former online publication in 2010. We spoke about XXX getting back into the music scene and appealing to that demographic. We came up with The Voices series together and I have been lending my services ever since.
Favorite movie: Say Anything or anything with PeeWee Herman
Favorite band: Taking Back Sunday, Further Seems Forever, Fun.
Favorite blog, video, post or page on XXXchurch.com: I like anything that Bryan R writes. He's honest, hilarious and real.
Three favorite websites or apps: I use the LiveStrong app to track my workouts, Instagram, and Words with Friends to stay sharp.
One thing that might surprise people about you: I love terrible scary movies. Just watched 2-Headed Shark Attack.
STEVE SUTTON (a.k.a Steve Oh) - photo 1995
Who are you: I am a father of two great kids and the son of two amazing parents. I work full-time for the prison system as an officer and state hostage negotiator. I love spending time with my kids going bowling, to the movies, playing games, or just about anything as long as we are together. I play guitar and bass and have played in several bands over the years. Everything from rock/metal to classic rock and country.
What you do for XXXchurch: I am the Social Media Coordinator or, as I like to call myself, the "Social Media Dude." I run the day-to-day happenings on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and any other place on the internet I can find for us to make a presence.
How you got involved with the ministry: I got involved with X3 several years ago by going to Miami on a porn show outreach. Then the door opened for me to write blogs for the men’s section, which I still write from time to time. After going to more events and writing more blogs I was able to pursue the social media side of X3. I love it.
Favorite movie: Tombstone, The Crow, Casino, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, the Vacation movies, Rounders, and all the Star Wars movies.
Favorite band: I am a metalhead at heart, but I love music period. Some of my favorites are Stryper, Dokken, Killswitch Engage, Trivium... the list goes on and on and on. I also like groups like Ryan Adams, White Stripes, and Jason Isbell.
Favorite blog, video, post or page on XXXchurch.com: The Constance video
Three favorite websites or apps: TMZ, Wrestlezone, and CNN
One thing that might surprise people about you: I went to pro wrestling school for a short period of time with one of my good friends. We are both two big ugly guys. Our names were going to be Jonny Goode and Marcus Pretty; we were going to be the tag-team of Pretty Good Looking P.G.L. Now you know.
CRIS CLAPP LOGAN - photo 1997
Who are you: I’m an artist, author, and speaker on issues relating to sexual brokenness, beauty, and technology. My husband Sam and I live in Washington, D.C. where we serve in leadership at Church of the Resurrection. There’s a squirrel, some chipmunks, two cardinals, and one bunny (his name is Flash) that hang around our yard and that I pretend are my pets. I love to travel and fly-fish.
What you do for XXXchurch: I work on some of the site’s content, create parent resources, and lead the site’s parent blog section.
How you got connected with the ministry: I have a passion for protecting kids and families from online pornography and have worked over the past seven years on issues relating to sexual brokenness and internet safety. I had early exposure to pornography, so I have seen and experienced firsthand the devastation that can come from sex addiction and have walked with many as they turn away from a life ruled by porn. I was speaking at a sex conference in Vegas and ended up on a panel with a member from the XXXchurch team (Ryan); as I learned more about the ministry, I knew I wanted to get involved.
Favorite movie: I don’t have a favorite, but some of my favorites include Inception, The Life Aquatic, A River Runs Through It, the Bourne Identity, Casino Royale, Up, and Lord of the Rings
Favorite band: U2, Fleet Foxes, and Radiohead
Favorite blog, video, post or page on XXXchurch.com: Levi the Poet’s “Pretty in Pornography”
Three favorite websites or apps:
Pinterest.com
Houzz.com
Hulu.com
One thing that might surprise people about you: I used to think I was going to be a rap superstar.
MICHELLE TRUAX - photo 1970
Who are you: My name is Michelle Truax; I reside on the east coast with my five dogs. I have two grown sons, a beautiful daughter-in-law, a four-year-old grandson, and a new grandbaby.
What you do for XXXchurch: Amongst various roles for the ministry, I coordinate the speaking events worldwide for XXXchurch. Anyone who knows me knows that my passion for this ministry is the role I have in mentoring women who want to leave or who have left their employment in the sex industry.
How you got connected with the ministry: I first learned of XXXchurch in 2003 while looking online for help for myself in trying to deal with my husband's porn addiction. I became a volunteer in 2004 moderating the prayer wall and then joined the staff full-time in 2006.
Favorite movie: Bella
Favorite band: This is hard because I am a music freak, but I'd have to say anything Rob Thomas does makes me weak--either solo or with Matchbox Twenty
Favorite blog, video, post or page on XXXchurch.com: My favorite video on XXXchurch would have to be "Jesus loves Ron Jeremy." It is several years old but the message remains the same and to this day I still can't watch it without tears surfacing in seconds. http://blip.tv/xxxchurchcom/jesus-loves-ron-jeremy-4105596
Three favorite websites or apps:
One thing that might surprise people about you: I think most people would be surprised to know that at age seven I fell off of a three-story balcony without breaking any bones.
TARA ULRICH - photo 1996
Who are you: I am a 23-year old recent grad from ASU with a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism Development & Management. I’m a chick drummer, lover of all things travel, and obsessed with dogs. I was born and raised in Mesa, Arizona. I recently tied the knot on June 16th, 2012 and live in Gilbert, Arizona with my hot husband, Jared.
What you do for XXXchurch: Event and administrative logistics for Strip Church Training and the Network. I manage the Strip Church blog, Twitter, and Facebook. I also work on some logistics and make recap videos for the XXXchurch outreach events
How you got connected with the ministry: It’s funny, because my very first youth summer camp was a Fireproof Ministries camp in California with Craig and Jake. I had grown up Catholic, but my Christian friend invited me to this camp in junior high. I went, and it was from then that I started to grow in my relationship with Christ. Craig and Jake shared the Gospel in a way I could actually understand. Ten years later, Ryan Russell, who was my youth pastor back during that camp, invited me to help out with the ministry. From there, things progressed and now here I am.
Favorite movie: You’ve Got Mail
Favorite band: Change that to bands… Mumford & Sons, Coldplay, Hillsong United, Taylor Swift, George Strait
Favorite blog, video, post or page on XXXchurch.com: The 10 Year Goals blog http://www.xxxchurch.com/thehaps/10-year-goals.html
Three favorite websites or apps: Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest
One thing that might surprise people about you: I use to do Taekwondo when I was little. I got up to one belt before black and then quit.
JAKE LARSON - photo 1996
Who are you: Life has never been more fun! I have been married for 13 years to Vanessa and am trying to stay fit so I can keep up with my son Cade and daughter Peyton. We live outside of Sacramento, CA and enjoy the one-hour flight to the beaches of Southern California! I have been attached to the ministry since the beginning and watched as an idea has literally changed people's lives for good!
What you do for XXXchurch: I do relationships with donors, churches, and strategic partners. I travel and speak for the ministry motivating individuals and churches to talk about and confront the issues of pornography. You can find me hanging out with our amazing board of directors or participating in an endurance sporting event with TeamXXXchurch!
How you got connected to the ministry: Craig and I have been friends since junior high! We started Fireproof Ministries together in 1999 that later led to the birth of XXXchurch.
Favorite Movie: Office Space
Favorite Band: Pandora (I know, it's not a band!) Whatever is fine.
Favorite blog, video, post or page on XXXchurch.com: Press Page, a clear example that we are shining the light into darkness!
http://www.xxxchurch.com/extras/press.html
Three Favorite websites or apps:
One thing that might surprise people about you: Completed my first Ironman in 2012!
RYAN RUSSELL - photo 2002
Who are you: For fun I compete in Ironman races and also really enjoy traveling to new cities, always being sure to clock a new run on my GPS watch. However, I have learned that traveling with Craig can be a bore since he sticks to the hotel when there is so much to see and do with our off time. I have been married to my wife Jennifer for 18 years and have three very crazy and uniquely adventurous boys; Jackson, Ethan, and Elias.
What you do for XXXchurch: If it's an event, a fundraiser or an outreach connected with XXXchurch.com, you are safe to assume that I am involved in the behind-the-scenes planning and leadership of it. I really like my job, most especially getting new people involved in what we do and raising up leaders to expand our reach and message.
How you got connected to the ministry: I've been involved with the ministry in small and some big ways since the very beginning. Craig and I went to college together, and when he and Jake first started speaking, I hired them to speak at youth camps and outreach events. I started working full-time with XXXchurch about 4 years ago.
Favorite Movie: The Bourne Identity series... although I was not excited about The Bourne Legacy
Favorite Band: I don't listen to a lot of music anymore, but Guns & Roses or Tesla topped out as my favorites in the '90s.
Favorite blog, video, post or page on XXXchurch.com: My favorite blog on the site is a new one; it speaks to one of the main reasons that I respect Craig and our mission of XXXchurch. We exist to share God's light, shining it into the the darkest places and on the hardest subjects with his love.
Three Favorite websites or apps:
One thing that might surprise people about you: You can't tell it because I have exceptional hearing, but I was involved in a serious swing set accident as a fourth grader. I was knocked unconscious, had a massive concussion, lost a good measure of the skin on the left side of my face and ripped my ear half way off. I blame my poor memory on this.
Who are you: My name is Carl Thomas and I live in New Jersey. I'm married with two children. My seven-year old daughter is amazing and probably will end up a teacher (like my wife). My son is a boy's boy and will most likely enter the promising career of cage-fighting. We all stay pretty busy between work, ministry, church, and grad school. I'm an avid fitness nut and got my first tattoo at age 39. Since then I've gotten several more including a half sleeve. Who says they aren't addicting?
What you do for XXXchurch: I work with our NJ church partners and also lead the X3groups project. X3groups is one of our newer initiatives focused on building a network of effective accountability and support groups for those struggling with sexual addiction. I also take Ryan's abuse.
How you got connected with the ministry: The first real exposure I had to this ministry was when I took a church college group I led to a porn debate between Craig and Ron Jeremy. After that I kept tabs on the ministry and eventually had the opportunity to join an outreach in New Jersey at the 2010 NJ Exxxotica convention. I met Ryan Russell at that show, who later proved to be instrumental in getting my "independent study" for evangelism approved with Liberty University, which entailed a week in Vegas serving with XXXchurch. Highlights of that trip included Bowlfest, Launch 501C3, and clearing out Ryan at the poker table.
Favorite movie: Braveheart (as it should be for everybody)
Favorite band: Metallica closely followed up by Five Finger Death Punch and Worth Dying For (strange, right?)
Favorite blog, video, post or page on XXXchurch.com: The stats page simply because it reminds me of how huge the need is out there
Three favorite websites or apps: (in no particular order) Twitter, P90x (app), and Macy's (my wife says I'm worse than her ... I agree)
One thing that might surprise people about you: One thing people may not know about me is that in college my fraternity nicknamed me "Ice" as in Vanilla Ice. I still try to block that out of my mind.
RACHEL COLLINS - photo 2001
Who are you: I work as a college pastor at Christ's Church of the Valley in San Dimas, and miraculously Craig has not gotten me fired from my job there yet. I am also finishing up my Master's of Divinity at Fuller Seminary and it has helped me realize just how much I love naps. I am dating a super-hot cuban named Joel Ceballos and I hope to travel, go on adventures and eat a lot more creme brûlée.
What you do for XXXchurch: I am blessed to travel to porn shows throughout the year and do whatever I can to let many of the women and men know that somebody loves and cares for them. From everything to make-up and coffee runs, we bring a little of God's light and love to those in the sex industry.
How you got connected with the ministry: Over eight years ago I was invited by a young girl in my small group to go with her and XXXchurch to a porn convention. It was in the early days when we were trying to figure out what it looks like to serve the women in the industry, and I ended up sticking around. It blows me away to think that even after all these years I get the amazing opportunity to share life with people in the adult industry, and over the years I have also met and formed incredible relationships with people that serve from churches all across the country at porn shows with XXXChurch.
Favorite movie: Jurassic Park
Favorite band: Coldplay and Radiohead and U2…I can’t choose just one!
Favorite blog, video, post or page on XXXchurch.com: Chicago Porn Show - I got to take a bunch of girls from my home church to their first porn convention with Craig, Tara and Steve-Oh. And to see the convention through their experiences, to see where the ministry has come, and to see what God did--that's been my favorite.
Three favorite websites or apps: Pinterest, Weather.com, and I love Instagram
One thing that might surprise people about you: I don't know if I can go on much longer in this life without getting a puppy soon. (I was a shotput champion growing up. [Craig added that, but it's true])
SHELLIE R. WARREN - photo 1977
Who are you: I am a chick who has been single and celibate longer than I would've ever thought (on that celibate thing, longer than I would like, too!), but the silver lining is that I've been able to make a career out of all of the penning that I've been doing about both. Currently, my life consists of writing, counseling, doula-ing, t-shirt designing and public speaking. People ask me all of the time how they can pull off rolling out of bed, walking a few steps to their computer and earning their pay via PayPal every week. My response is that if you don't mind driving a Honda that's almost an antique and if being rich is not a major turn-on for you, it's a lot easier than you think. Ask your Father if he's down with it and if you're willing to make the necessary sacrifices, watch what happens.
What you do for XXXchurch: Um, the long/short of it is that I am one of the "Porn & Pastries" girls and the Women's editor for the site. I'm also the one who still tries to get Craig to give more than one-word replies to emails that are three paragraphs long. (Keep prayin'!)
How you got connected to the ministry: The Gutter and Inside of Me were "book label mates" back when Relevant had a publishing company. I reached out to Craig to tell him that I didn't see anyone who looked like me (in any way, including gender) on the website. "Butterflies" was born exactly five years to the date that X3Church.com was introduced to the world.
Favorite movie: I go to the movies almost every weekend, so that's a hard call. Two that I never get tired of watching are Love Jones and almost any Woody Allen film (Yeah. Whatever. Don't judge me.)
Favorite band: This is just as complex. '80s pop rock is my thing. Toto, Journey, Duran Duran, Johnny Hates Jazz, the Jets, Genesis, Wham ("Careless Whisper" is classic!). I also love me some DeBarge. Oh, and Hall & Oates. Gotta love them!
Favorite blog, video, post or page on XXXchurch.com: I like the old-school touring videos. So much has changed since then that I'll leave it at that.
Three favorite websites or apps: I'm not sure if they are my "favorite" but I go to them everyday. Jezebel, EurWeb and OnFireFastMovement.blogspot.com. That last one is mine, but I have a blog roll that features a ton of sites that I dig.
One thing that might surprise people about you: Although I come from a list of them (SMH), my only real addiction is lip gloss. Well, that and Simply Lemonade with Mango. Yeah. They're both kind of a problem. Oh, and when I get stressed out, I like to bake. From scratch. (Yes, there are women who still do that. Again, SMH).
BRIAN MCGINNESS
Who are you: My name is Brian McGinness and married way out of my league on January 10th 1997 to Darcy (Deters) McGinness. The both of us where born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan and still call it home. We have two children; one boy and one girl who keep us very busy and on our toes throughout the year.
What you do for XXXchurch: Craig has given me the nick name of Info@xxxchurch since that is one of my roles here. So any emails that come into info@xxxchurch.com I answer. I also manage the website, confessions, questions, and the men’s, spouses', and pastors' blogs. I am a person with many hats but the thing I enjoy doing the most is speaking and sharing our story with others.
How you got connected to the ministry: I was first introduced to XXXchurch back on December 2nd, 2006 at a Porn and Pancakes event held in Grand Rapids. After hearing the stories of those affected, the truth of what goes on behind the scenes during the making of the films, and the message from the ministry, I knew right then I knew needed to end my 20+ year addiction to pornography. A couple of months after that Craig asked me if I would share my story and I took the leap of faith. Since then I have been extremely blessed to be a part of so many different things with this ministry and I can not wait to see what is next around the corner.
Favorite movie: Hands down, Slap Shot (the original '80s movie)
Favorite band: Motley Crue
Favorite blog, video, post or page on XXXchurch.com: I love the transparency and openness of our confessions pages
Three favorite websites or apps:
YouVersion
Yahoo Sports
My Fitness Pal
One thing that might surprise people about you: My first name is not really Brian. You get to try to figure out what it is.
GINNY SPIER - photo 2002
Who are you: My name is Ginny Spier and I am married to Lynn and we have three adult children and five grandsons with a granddaughter on the way (yippee!!). We live on the central coast of California.
What you do for XXXchurch: I am in charge of the XXXchurch prayer team.
How you got involved with the ministry: I was involved in youth ministry so I knew Craig and Jake from camps that our youth went to, and when I first heard about XXXhurch and what Craig was envisioning for this ministry, I felt a sense that they would be walking into the devil’s territory and that they needed to be covered in prayer. That led to forming an email prayer team that has been covering this ministry ever since.
Favorite movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite band: DSM--my son’s band =)
Favorite blog, video, post, or page on XXXchurch.com: The prayer wall - http://www.x3prayerwall.com/
Three favorite websites or apps: Sorry, I’m not into websites--even the xxxchurch website. I know that’s bad, since I am a part of this ministry, but except for email and Amazon to check on books I need to order for my Bookstore, I don’t do much else on the computer, except play Solitaire =) I’m old, remember! Oh yes, I do check Facebook so I know what my kids are up to since they live so far away (Indonesia!)
