seXpo

Last weekend, I had the privilege of helping out xxxchurch at sexpo, Brisbane.

I first heard of xxxchurch.com back in 2004... I checked it out and fell in love with what they were doing. I loved that they saw a problem... and tackled it head on. A problem that was often side-stepped or ignored by churches around the world. Rather than standing on the outside, yelling from the sidelines, words of anger, judgment and disgust, they jumped right in. Unafraid of the 'sin' but loving the people. Unashamed of the name they bear, Jesus. Attempting to live and love just as he did/does.

Since 2004, I have been following their website. Checking out regular video blogs, updates and hatemail. They have changed/expanded/grown quite a bit over the years, the T shirts and designs have developed from "porn sucks" to more eye catching images, they now offer free accountability software and the team recently moved from one side of America to the other with the dream of Strip Church. Throughout all this change, the message remains the same, Jesus Loves Pornstars.

Hopefully by now, you can see why I fell in love with this ministry.

When I was given the opportunity to serve with them at Sexpo in Brisbane I jumped at the chance. The days leading up to the porn show I was unbelievably excited and a little nervious. Excited to be a part of something bigger than me and nervous because people had warned me of what goes on in sexpo (how they know... I don't know).

I walked in on day 1... not really sure what to expect... prayed up and ready for action... oh wait... totally wrong choice of words there! I was welcomed by the xxxchurch crew. Sam, Rachel, Brian and Deb. They were so lovely and stacks of fun. I began handing out Bibles... It seemed too easy... People loved them, a few stopped and asked what we were about. Good conversations... who would have thought, coming to a porn show to find out about Jesus. Sure, there were a few people who were disgusted by it, others only stopped to talk to ask me out, or to find out if I was going to strip later, but overall, the response was amazing. We were quickly running out of Bibles, suddenly 3000 Bibles didn't seem like many.

Here I am handing some Bibles to a couple of girls.

I met some very interesting people over that weekend. From Mr Penis Man, the guy in the white suit selling "adult toys", a few American booth owners who had flown to Australia simply for sexpo, Mr Condom Kingdom booth owner, the girl that was too embarrassed to tell her Christian family that she was actually working at an "adult toy store" not organising an event and new friends.

The whole weekend wasn't spent at sexpo, I got to hang out with some pretty awesome Americans. Brian and Deb have an amazing story, one that bought tears to most of our eyes during dinner (fish N chips... my fav!). Also got to hang with Sam and Rachel, incredible couple with such a heart for people and great story to tell.

This weekend, I also learnt a lot about myself.

I learnt that I can relate to a range of different people, entering into there world and find common ground.

I learnt that with God, I can do anything.

I learnt to expect the unexpected... amazing things do happen.. Miracles happen everyday, you just gotta be prepared to look for them rather than try to shrug them off as something else.

I learnt that I am not impressed by people who try to impress others.

I tend to judge christians. (... something I need to work on).

I learnt that not a lot surprises me.

I learnt that not a lot shocks me.

I was reminded that everyone has a story, each story is different and amazing.

Since working at sexpo, I have found the most common question I am asked by Christians is "how did you cope with it?" I feel like answering, "oh, it totally messed me up... like I am sooo a sex addict now"... I mean what do they think? Are we (Christians) really that scared of the dark? Is that why we insist on hiding in our churches? Do they not realise that I took my light with me so I could see clearly the whole time? Why isn't the first question I am asked, "How many Bibles were handed out?" or "What was the response like?" It's something that annoys me... I guess it's something you gotta get used to when you step out of the box.

"Why blame the dark for being dark? It is far more helpful to ask why the light isn’t as bright as it could be." (Rob Bell)

You can read more about it at xxxchurch.com.

and while you're there...check out heartsupport.com