At the start of this school year, the Baptist Campus Ministry at Northern Kentucky University launched “Fireteams,” small groups focused on helping young men find freedom and forgiveness from the addictive sin of pornography. We know young men are in crisis in our society today, Fireteams aims to solve that problem by meeting sin head on with the power of the gospel.
We knew there was a big need, we just didn’t know how big. The more conversations we started having with students about this issue, the more widespread we discovered the problem was.
Heartbreaking reality
This challenge isn’t unique just to university students. Last year, the Barna research group released an updated study on the pornography epidemic called “Beyond the Porn Phenomenon.” Key data from this study shows the heartbreaking reality of how pervasive this issue is:
- 78% of practicing Christian men watch porn.
- 34% of practicing Christian women watch porn.
Please note that older generations are much less likely to be among these high rates of porn use. With younger demographics it is incredibly likely; with 91% of Millennial men viewing it and 83% of Gen Z men. There are numerous reasons why these numbers are so high but you may have already guessed that the smartphone in your hand or in your pocket right now is the biggest contributor to how rampant this issue is.
Carla Combs, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who attends Severns Valley Baptist Church, told me that pornography usage is a common issue among those she is working with, “Most of my clients are professed Christians. The amount of people in the pews who are struggling with pornography is alarming. We’re in denial if we don’t think it’s an issue for visitors to our churches, members, and even staff.”
At a recent conference I attended, Andy Pettigrew, head of the NextGen Mobilization team for the International Mission Board, reported that the top two reasons IMB candidates are not appointed to the mission field are sexual sin (pornography) and mental health struggles. This destructive sin is in our churches and it’s hurting individuals, families and holding people back from fulfilling the Great Commission call on their lives.
How is the church addressing the problem?
Knowing that this is a problem, not just in the wider culture but in the church as well, begs the question of what is happening in our churches to address it. Further numbers from the Barna study help give us some insight:
- 6 in 10 congregants say it is important to them that their church is addressing topics like pornography and sexually compulsive behavior.
- 84 percent of reported porn users say they don’t have anyone in their life helping them avoid pornography.
- Only 9% of pastors say their church has a resource to help their people find freedom from pornography.
- Only 21% of practicing Christians who watch porn want to quit completely.
This data tells us that most believers know this is a serious issue but our churches, by and large, have not been prepared for this onslaught. I’m reminded of the French Army’s battle plan at the start of World War II. It was a plan that didn’t account for the power of new technology, new tactics, and the determination of their enemy. We have a determined enemy who is using the access these new technologies bring to attack the Saints of God in ways we didn’t anticipate — but must fight against.
That final number “Only 21% want to quit completely” may have caught your eye though. Of all the sobering data in this research, I find this one to be the most heartbreaking. How can this be? One NKU student told me this semester, “When I asked a family member for help they told me it was normal and that everybody did it so not to worry about it. I didn’t think it was even possible to get free from porn.”
Comment deceptions
The deceptions that get someone stuck in this sin addiction are numerous:
- It’s not a big deal.
- It’s normal, maybe even healthy.
- This isn’t really hurting anyone.
- You can’t get free so why try?
- If anyone knew about this, you would be rejected so it’s best to keep it a secret.
Lies and accusations from the father of lies and accuser. 2 Corinthians 2:11 tells us, not to be outwitted by Satan, “For we are not ignorant of his schemes.” (CSB)
Bright spots
Here’s some good news. This semester at NKU BCM, our Fireteams have helped numerous young men experience victory over this sin. We are talking about students who have been dealing with this, sometimes on a daily basis, since middle school or earlier, now over 150 days free.
What we are doing with Fireteams is this: Fireteams are the structure of our accountability groups. Traditional accountability for young men consists of guys around the same age trying to help each other but not knowing how and getting frustrated in the process. Our teams are markedly different in that they are led by adult Christian men who have either overcome this sin or have a heart to help those that are struggling with it. This mentorship is vital in pointing the students to Christ as our healer, challenging them to fight against temptation, and modeling what it looks like to be a godly man.
The next part is utilizing a Christian recovery program called “The Freedom Fight.” This is a gospel-centered program that uses the helpful aspects of brain science and behavioral psychology. The IMB is also using The Freedom Fight to help those candidates who are desiring to go on the mission field but are still stuck in sexual sin.
The last aspect of Fireteams is large group gatherings of participants as well as those not yet actively fighting for freedom. These gatherings are designed to be interactive times of doing an activity they enjoy and then a time of sharing recovery progress and confession. When students start hearing stories of their peers experiencing freedom, they begin to believe that it could be possible for them as well.
A Fireteam member shared this about his recovery, “I wanted to grow closer with God, but my battle with purity held me back. Fireteams helped me to finally break out of my shame. With the accountability of others, I realized that I could give this to God and never go back. Now, I’m leaning on God, and there’s a peace that has filled my emptiness.”
The change we are seeing in those who are experiencing freedom is drastic. Not only are they healing from porn addiction, they are growing in spiritual and personal maturity. Part of the vision behind Fireteams is to see these young men step into adulthood unhindered, becoming the men of God they are designed to be.
Fireteams has also been valuable for the adult leaders as well. One of them, a deacon at a KBC church, said this about the students he is working with, “Seeing them grow and sharing life experience with them, has been an inspiration to me.”
It’s been a joy for me as well to see those in Fireteams set free. This will be a part of our BCM ministry for the long haul because the problem of porn addiction isn’t going away anytime soon. I do pray for the day when a great revival happens in this country and we see a movement of men turning away from sin for God’s glory. In the meantime, know that it’s in the Church, it’s in your church, maybe it’s in your own life and you don’t think you can tell anyone. Get in the fight. Freedom is better.
Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Next steps
— If you are dealing with this “hidden” sin, tell someone you trust and get help. Download the Freedom Fight app and begin on the 30-day challenge. Get in a small group, stay in the fight.
— If you want to start something to help people in your church or community you can contact your Kentucky Baptist Convention Regional Campus Minister (https://www.kybcm.org/regions.html) to learn more about how we are helping students and how you and your church can start doing the same for church members. Remember, this isn’t just a battle young men are facing. Men and women of all ages can get caught up in this. Celebrate Recovery is another great program that helps with this issue.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Josh Skipper of the Kentucky Baptist Convention and originally published by Kentucky Today.
