XXXChurch: Speaking Team
Want to book an X3 Speaker? Click here to fill out the form or call Michelle at 626.628.3387
Speaking is an integral part of the ministry of XXXchurch and the honorariums for speaking help us continue in all that we're doing. We are passionate about educating the church on the effects of pornography and sharing the reality that people within the church are struggling as much as those outside the church. It is our goal to educate and to equip the church to break free from the stronghold of sexual addiction through the word of God and shared experiences of those who have overcome. Each speaker has as unique story and will bring a solid message to your church or organization. We have created successful events such as Porn Sunday, Porn & Pancakes, Porn & Pastries, Porn & Parents and The X3Youth night but we can customize an event that works for you based on your vision and/or ideas.
Craig Gross is a pastor and the founder of XXXchurch.com and author of Eyes of Integrity, Pure Eyes, Jesus Loves You This I Know, Starving Jesus, The Dirty Little Secret, The Gutter, Questions You Can’t Ask Your Mama, and the forthcoming Open: What Happens When You Get Real, Get Honest, and Get Accountable, releasing in the fall of 2013. Craig lives in California with his wife and two kids. Craig speaks at a number of church services, colleges, festivals and youth events each year.
» Craig is available for all types of speaking engagements and events.
» Video, MP3s, photos available - craiggross.com
» Check out Craig's books here.
Craig Gross and Ron Jeremy have been traveling the country speaking at universities; now they're taking the debate to churches. They recently appeared at The Rock Church in San Diego and at Eastlake Church in Seattle.
“We had over 3,000 people in attendance. 630 of those...do not attend church.” – Miles McPherson, Senior Pastor at The Rock Church San Diego
The debate draws a huge crowd. If you really want to do an outreach to the community, then this is it. The format is pretty simple. Craig and Ron both share their opening arguments. People in attendance then get a chance to interact and ask questions to either of them. Ron and Craig then have final closing arguments. The debate typically lasts 90 minutes and is followed by a meet-and-greet. The people attending then have a chance to take pictures, get autographs and ask more questions. A moderator is needed and could be the pastor of the church or someone on staff.
»More info on church porn debate here.
»Check out Craig and Ron in a Sunday service here.
Jake Larson co-founded Fireproof Ministries (the umbrella ministry of XXXchurch) with Craig Gross over ten years ago. Jake is a pastor with passion for the truth and has been speaking on behalf of this ministry since its inception. He speaks regularly to audiences with a passion to see the church love, embrace, and care for overlooked people in our society. Jake is also committed to advancing missional and spiritual renewal in churches by addressing difficult issues of pornography, addiction, depression, social needs, and a list of others. He is available to speak at churches, colleges, schools, festivals, and youth events. Jake lives in California with his wife and two children. You can see and read more about Jake here.
» Jake is available to lead all of our built-in events (Pancakes, Pastries, Parents) as well as lead Sunday services or a custom event built around your vision.
» Check out Jake's blog here.
»Listen to an audio message from Jake.
Steven Luff has recently written Pure Eyes: A Man's Guide to Sexual Integrity alongside Craig Gross. Steven is also the workshop leader for the X3pure workshops offered by XXXchurch.com. He leads the men’s X3LA recovery groups in Los Angeles and serves on the board of directors for XXXchurch. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology and is in the process of becoming a licensed therapist. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Rundi, and their two children.
» Steven is available for Porn & Pancakes events and Sunday morning services.
» Check out Steven's video from "The Porn Event".
» Check out Steven's newest book HERE.
Bernie Anderson is the senior pastor of the Wasatch Hills Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. God worked a powerful transformation in Bernie’s life by breaking a long-time struggle with pornography. Prompted by a desire to help others break free from pornography, Bernie now openly shares his story of the way God has given him the courage to live a life of purity and integrity. Through God’s leading, Bernie has been able to share his story with a national and worldwide audience, appearing as a guest on Focus on the Family with Dr. James Dobson, and Fox News’ On the Record with Greta Van Susteren. Bernie has also shared his story with Newsweek magazine, the Associated Press, and ABC World News Tonight, not to mention numerous local TV and print media outlets across the country. Bernie is the author of Breaking The Silence where he shares the story of his journey back from the insanity of porn addiction and offers resources and hope for others who are struggling.
» Bernie is available to lead a Porn & Pancakes event, Sunday services, or a custom event built around your vision.
» See Bernie's story here.
» Check out Bernie's Book Breaking The Silence
Jon Kitna is a former NFL quarterback who spent 15 seasons in the league, playing for four different teams. He played college football at Central Washington.
Jon has a wife, Jennifer; three sons, Jordan, Jalen and Jamison; and a daughter, Jada. Kitna takes part in a "covenant group" with three of his best friends. The group keeps each other accountable, taking the concept to a whole new level. The group loves to share the brotherhood they enjoy in hopes that others will follow suit.
» Jon Kitna is available as a guest speaker for Porn & Pancakes events and Sunday morning services.
»Check out a message from Jon here.
Since entering the world of writing in 2000, Shellie R. Warren has been published in almost fifty publications including King, Honey, Upscale, Women’s Health & Fitness, CCM, Soul, Relevant, Gospel Today, NV and a host of others. In between finding new magazines to place her byline, she serves as an entertainment columnist for a Nashville-based Gannett publication, All The Rage; a bi-weekly talk show host on Fisk University’s campus radio station, WFSK; a blogger for HoneyMag.com and XXXchurch.com; and is a public speaker who deals with the issues surrounding sexual misuse—a term she coined in her 2004 autobiography, Inside of Me: Lessons of Lust, Love and Redemption (foreword by Grammy-winning songstress, India.Arie). As the former spokesperson for Miss Black USA, Shellie also enjoys giving back to the community. She recently started a foundation, “Butterfly Angel,” that deals with celebrating the survivors of sexual abuse and misuse, something she was once a victim of. Shellie's latest book is Pure Heart: A Woman's Guide to Sexual Integrity, released by Baker Books in September 2010.
» Shellie is available for Porn & Pastries events, youth and college events--including the in depth Single. Sex. event--as well as women's events.
» Check out Shellie's Women's blog on the XXXchurch site.
» Check out Shellie's video from The Porn Event
Ben Sledge is a combat veteran with a powerful testimony. During his time in the United States Army he saw action in both Afghanistan and Iraq and is the recipient of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and two Army Commendation Medals for his actions while overseas. It was during his time in the military that he went from occasional porn user to full-blown addict, viewing it an upwards of 5 to 7 times an evening. After his last deployment and a failed marriage, Ben found himself sleeping on his friend's couch and battling his addictions to alcohol, porn, women, and suffering from PTSD. Desperate to cure his depression, his atheist friend took him to a church called Gateway in Austin, TX where he found Jesus, life, counseling, and a group of men that took an uncanny interest in loving him. Today he is the college pastor and campus pastor for Gateway Church in Central Austin as well as an avid graphic designer and creative. A gifted communicator and writer, Ben writes for XXXchurch's sister ministry Heart Support, a website where youth come to find hope, strength, fellowship, and encouragement. A cultural expert on Generation Y and Millennials, he is a sought-after speaker for college ministries and men's retreats.
»Ben Sledge is available as a guest speaker for Porn & Pancakes events, custom events and Sunday morning services.
»Click here to view Ben's video testimony
»Check out a sermon here
»Read his HeartSupport articles here
When it comes to marriage and parenting, what you don’t know can hurt you.
That’s the driving force behind husband and wife teaching team Dave & Ann Wilson. This nationally-known duo shares their unique blend of wisdom, humor, and practical advice at workshops and conferences across the country. As keynote speakers for Family Life marriage seminars, they’re known for their no-holds-barred look at marriage and family issues.
Before getting his seminary degree from the International School of Theology, Dave was an All-American quarterback at Ball State. Later, he used that winning attitude to co-found Kensington Church in Metro Detroit in 1990. Today, that ministry has swelled to 12,500 attenders, with six campus locations. Dave & Ann are both teaching pastors at Kensington, and often share the church’s stage to teach on love, life, and relationships. The couple has produced several DVD series, including “Rock Your Marriage,” “Survival Guide to Parenting,” and “Survival Guide to Relationships.” With football still in his blood, it’s not surprising that Dave’s most popular topic is his “Real Man” series. This Hall of Fame member has served as NFL Chaplain for the Detroit Lions since 1985, and Ann regularly works with player’s wives. The popular duo is known for dividing their crowd into gender-specific breakout sessions for “in-your-face guy talk” and “no-nonsense girl-to-girl time.” Married for 30 years, Dave & Ann have three sons, CJ, Austin, and Cody, and two daughter-in-law, Kendall and Robin. They live in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
» Check out Dave & Ann's couples workshop at X3Pure in addition to Rock Your Marriage
As a spoken word artist and speaker who has been traveling the country full-time since 2009, "Levi The Poet" has spent several years sharing his passion and challenging listeners to live transparent lives via his heavily-testimonial approach to writing and exemplification of honest confession. Through repentance and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, the Lord has graciously taken his twelve-year-long enslavement to pornography, depression, and addiction and replaced those desires with passions for purity, hope, and the gospel. He has performed upwards of 300 shows across the country and is a regular writer for HM magazine and Hopecore magazine. His wife is a member of White Collar Sideshow, and they live in an RV and tour together, performing at festivals, colleges, churches, venues, bars, etc. Levi says the Lord used XXXchurch to play an active role in disciplining him towards purity throughout the years, and he is honored to now have the opportunity to serve others alongside the ministry.
» Levi is available to lead X3Youth Events as well as perform as a guest artist for Porn & Pancakes Men's Breakfast or the Porn Kills event.
» Check out a sample of Levi's spoken poetry here.
Nick Vitellaro is a spoken word poet and speaker from Seattle, Washington. His deep passion to share and express the Gospel through his poetry is contagious. Nick loves to spend time with and speak to students as well as listen to what they desire to achieve inside and outside of ministry. Through his art, he tells his story with honesty, vulnerability, and boldness. Nick is a young writer who hopes to change the world by empowering others to also change the world. By the grace of God, Nick's life has been completely transformed and renewed by the reality of the Gospel. After being king of his own life for 16 years, he allowed God to rule his life. Through struggling with porn, identity, and pride, Nick's desire is to bring the message of God's redemption to those who are stuck in the same struggles. Nick loves coffee, sports, and most of all, people.
» Nick is available to lead X3Youth Events as well as perform as a guest artist for Porn & Pancakes Men's Breakfast or the Porn Kills event.
» Check out a sample of Nick's spoken Word poetry: Sincerely Freedom and The Lost Sheep.
Crissy has been on a healing journey for close to five years since she left the sex industry. She is a born-again Christian who has a passion to share her story in different ways with the ultimate goal of exposing the lies of the sex industry and telling the truth of how her life was shattered by it and how God is rebuilding it one step at a time. She offers hope to those who are caught up in the industry as well as gives a reality check to those considering it. Crissy has shared her story in various ways through social media, magazine articles, documentaries, outreaches, speaking events, and most recently on ABC's Nightline.
»Crissy is available for Porn & Pastries events as well as women's events and Sunday service guest (interview style) appearances.
»Read an Article on Crissy here.
Kevin has been educating parents on ways to protect their children from internet dangers for nearly ten years. He is an informative yet entertaining speaker, writer, and internet researcher, speaking at churches, public and private schools, and conferences and tackling topics such as porn, sexting, and cyber-bullying. He has also shared his passion on how to keep kids safe online on numerous radio programs. His articles on internet safety can be found on websites such as EveryMansBattle.com and XXXchurch.com. He lives in Troy, MI with his wife, their three children, and their dog.
» Kevin is available for Porn & Parents seminars.
» Check out Kevin's Parent's blog on the XXXchurch site.
Brian is an integral part of the X3 Speaking Team. Brian's testimony is that of a man who had viewed pornography for almost two decades all the while barely maintaining his job, marriage and family. In 2006, Brian attended the very first XXXchurch Porn & Pancakes Event and was challenged by the message. Determined to get free, he made a commitment to burn his stash of pornography, come clean with his wife, get accountability, and walk in purity with God. Brian has put forth every effort to maintain his freedom from a lifelong bondage to sexual sin. Brian has done several press interviews and has appeared in several publications as well as national television programs. Brian lives in Michigan with his wife, two children and two dogs. Brian is available to share his story at Porn & Pancakes events or a custom men's event.
»Check out Brian's testimony here.
»Watch Brian in Lifestyle Magazine's "Mad about Marriage- Pornography"
Jared grew up in a gang town in Northern California and chose the prodigal path which ultimately was part of God’s story of redemption in his life. At first he began a seven-year vocational ministry journey in youth ministry and social work. However, his inner struggles with lust continued and eventually surfaced, and Jared was asked to resign from a large church almost a decade ago. These struggles are part of Jared’s testimony, and it is his desire to help other men who are where he has been and to convey the reality that there truly is hope. Jared has been involved in recovery programs, support groups, and counseling groups for almost a decade and has a genuine passion for accountability, purity, and seeing support groups planted and launched. He currently leads Pure Eyes Accountability Groups in the Sacramento, California region. Jared has obtained his B.A. in Theology and M.A. in Religion with a focus on Church Ministry. He has been a guest speaker with XXXchurch and has helped write and produce short films for the organization. He currently lives in the Sacramento area with his wife of 12 years and his six year-old son. Jared loves his guitar, mixed martial arts and wrestling with his son. Jared is working full-time as an engineering estimator, and volunteering as much time as possible towards calling men to purity. Jared says: “My purpose in sharing my story is to scare the pants ON you. My hope is that you would learn from my example in my defeat and acquire the lessons of victory that I had to learn the hard way.”
Here is a short film co-created by Jared.
Cris Clapp Logan resides in Washington DC with her husband. Cris is passionate about protecting children from online exploitation and is currently the Director of Communications for internet safety group Enough Is Enough (EIE) (InternetSafety101.org). In her work with EIE, she serves in multiple roles: educating congressional members about internet safety issues, talking with corporate partners about family-friendly policy, and aggregating and commenting on research relating to sexual predation, sexually explicit content, and youth behavior online. Cris contributes regularly on national radio and print publications. She works closely with EIE President Donna Rice Hughes to advance EIE's initiatives with public, industry, and law enforcement efforts, participating with the Virginia Attorney General’s Youth Internet Safety Task Force, the GetNetWise Advisory Board, and the Internet Safety Technical Task Force, on behalf of Ms. Hughes.
Cris also serves on the TIP & Technology: Uses and Abuses of Technology in Human Trafficking Roundtable, U.S. Department of State. She is the Associate Producer and writer of Enough Is Enough’s Internet Safety 101: Empowering Parents educational film series and writer and editor of the Internet Safety 101: Empowering Parents workbook. Cris speaks at conferences in areas relating to Internet pornography, teen Web identity, and the Web 2.0.
They say laughter is medicinal for the soul. One of the most difficult tasks we place on pastors and youth pastors today is to bring in a comedian who will entertain the entire church without the fear of responding to weeks of hate mail. God has blessed David Dean with the gift of making people laugh on a full-time basis for over 22 years. Comedy that is family-friendly, fast paced and most important: clean. Not corny, but clean.
David honed his talent in the late '80s at the famous Second City School of Improvisational Comedy in Chicago (yes, he was a believer!). It was there where he was taught to think quick on his feet and learn to play off the audience. Eventually, God began opening doors throughout the Chicagoland area for David to come and share his humor at faith-based events. Hosts not only wanted the laughter, they wanted David to talk about his walk with Christ. That chapter in his life taught him comedy is simply a platform for talking about Jesus.
David is a frequent performer, friend, and trusted opening act for some of today’s biggest known clean comedians and speakers. Ken Davis, Chonda Pierce, Mark Gungor, and more call on him to open for many of their shows. David has worked with Fireproof Ministries for years and has opened for many Porn & Pancakes events as well as Parents' Events.
Watch a comedy clip from David as he talks about teenagers.
William Jacob Luhrs, frontman of Christian metal band August Burns Red, is a man of many trades. Musician, artist, ministry leader, motivational speaker, counselor—there seems to be little that he has not accomplished in his short 26 years. Luhrs is as well known for his incredible faith as he is for his powerful vocals.
A dedicated role model, Luhrs is committed to going to the the merchandise table after each and every show to communicate with his fans. The lack of direction and counsel for our youth was troubling to Luhrs and he made it his personal mission to help fill that void. In the past two years, Luhrs has been sought out for advice and prayer, and has heard many stories of overcoming addiction and other personal issues. He felt called to further his relationship with the band’s fans and do something in return that meant more than just an autograph. He decided to take a leap of faith and start an online-based community with his wife and a few close friends. He has traveled all over the world and his message has reached thousands of people. Jake has been a friend to the ministry for many years. He runs our sister ministry Heart Support, a website where youth come to find hope, strength, fellowship, and encouragement. Heart Support in many ways is equivalent to all that Jake Luhrs embodies: understanding, restoration, and not only embracing God’s true love, but sharing that Love with everyone he meets. He is truly a man worth keeping your sights on, as we all look forward to his accomplishments yet to come.
Jake has an incredible testimony that you can hear about by clicking this link. Jake is available for a number of different events but has limited availability because of his touring schedule with his band.
» Want to book an X3 Speaker? Click here to fill out the form or call Michelle at 626.628.3387
