Two Christian pastors, both living in different parts of America, are speaking openly and honestly — to their respective congregations and others — about their own personal struggles with pornography addiction in an effort to reach out to others who may be battling this same problem.
The Oklahoma City Oklahoman reports that the Rev. Chris Beall's battle with pornography started at a very early age when he found a pornographic magazine. The Internet increased his ability to access pornography anonymously, and his appetite for pornographic materials accelerated even as he was establishing himself as a pastor. Eventually, he began chatting online with women, then meeting those women for illicit — and still mostly anonymous — affairs.
His wife became aware of his addiction when one off-and-on affair resulted in pregnancy.
"'My world literally changed in about a 60-second period,' Cindy Beall said. "I went straight into the pit of despair. I just didn't want to be alive anymore. It was that bad. I wasn't going to take my life but it would have been OK if somebody else had."
The Oklahoman article explains the challenges the Bealls faced as they worked together to save their marriage while the Rev. Beall was working to overcome his addiction. Today they are finally at the point where they have enough strength to work with others who are in the same situation they were in.
"'I don't believe I'm fixed but I do believe I'm free,' Chris Beall said. 'Our relationship with each other and our relationship with (our children) is amazing. I believe it's what God intended for us.
"'My life's purpose is not to die screwing up the best story I know, which is a healed marriage.'"
Wyandotte, Mich., pastor Jeremy Gyorke has taken an aggressive approach to sharing his personal battles with pornography addiction. He preaches about it over the pulpit.
"'It's a tough topic, so not everybody chooses to tackle it,' Gyorke told the Detroit FreePress. "It's such a prevalent issue."
Gyorke's purpose in addressing pornography addiction during his Sunday sermon was to "bring awareness to the issue, provide an encouraging environment for those struggling to seek help, provide resources for addicts and tips to help parents talk to their children about the subject," reporter Elisha Anderson wrote.
"'I'm so passionate about it because of how it almost destroyed my life,' Gyorke said, adding that he has been porn-free for about seven years.
Gyorke told the Free Press that he was only able to overcome his addiction with the help of others. "He said he surrounded himself with people whom he trusted and could hold him accountable. He repeated Bible verses and prayed. Gyorke said he also installed software that tracks the Web sites he visits."
The Free Press also spoke to Craig Gross, whose Fireproof Ministries helps ministers address the problem of pornography addiction and provides resources for church use.
"'This has been an issue that crosses denominations,' Gross said."
These inspiring stories may remind Deseret News readers of Carrie Moore's outstanding story last fall about Pastor Bernie Anderson of the Wasatch Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church and his long and painful battle with pornography addiction. The story featured compelling insight from his wife, Christina, and the impact of the pastor's addiction on their marriage and their family.
"Going public allowed me to make the point that I was more interested in authenticity than popularity, which I think is an important place to arrive at," Pastor Anderson said in explaining why he chose not to keep his personal struggle to himself. "It no longer mattered so much what people thought about me. The conviction that God placed on my heart was to speak out."
email: jwalker@desnews.com