VEGAS PORN SHOW UPDATES

All 4 days of Updates are Below.

The team has arrived. Here is the run down this year. So, when you watch any recap videos you will understand what is happening.1. THE HOUSE. We are all staying at "The Vegas Party House" I wanted the team to be together instead of all these separate hotel rooms which are normally not nice at the places I seem to book. So, solution rent a house. The house we found is called The Vegas Party House. We have six kids under four rocking the Party House, three married couples, and a few singles including Brandon...yes he is still single ladies. Each room comes with Leopard print robes, just see the flickr feed for a great shot of board member Bryan sporting the robe.

2. THE MISSION. Thousands of Jesus Loves Porn Stars Bibles to be given away at the AVN Adult Expo. The largest porn show of its kinds. It is good to be back in Vegas and hear comments like..."My Bible is on the table that I got last year or I read it every night. We have a team of ladies that are talking to the various people in the industry and handing out free shirts. Rachel who went to London with us is back heading up that side of the outreach. Heather and Annie from Las Vegas are working the show floor is well starting Thursday. We have a team of us at the booth talking with people and handing out the Bibles.

3. AWARDS. Saturday night my wife and I are actually going to be going to the award show and are able to spend some time with some great people that we have met from this industry.

4. CES. The Consumer Electronic Show is in town. So, Vegas is a mix of porn and electronics this week. Our buddies from Safe Eyes are in town for that and we look forward to catching up with them tonight at some point.

5. THANKFUL. I am so very thankful for this chance that we have to shine some light in a dark room this week. So very thankful for your prayers and support to do this.

Craig

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DAY 2

The show was crazy busy today. Many great talks and conversations on the floor and off. The girls have been hitting the floor, standing in line for the girls autographs and giving them a Jesus Loves Porn Stars t-shirts. The relationships that are created in just a few conversations are amazing to observe and show a great deal as gals from the industry come by the booth to say hello and chat for a few minutes.

In addition to being on the floor at the show I had the opportunity to interview a new friend of x3's. Darla came in touch with xxxchurch after her marriage was torn apart by her husbands porn addiction. She herself was a porn star for a couple years in the midst of a career working as a stripper. Darla told her story on camera today of how God has completely changed everything in her life. It is simply powerful and we are excited to have her and be able to share her story with others.

Thanks for your prayers, thoughts and all that you have given of yourself to make this happen. Every time a bible goes out it is a conversation, healing, hope, life and who knows what else - for God is doing some crazy stuff.

Brandon

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DAY 3

Another day, another morning woken up by a herd of children running around the "Fireman Pole" in the center of the living room. Whether being woken up by Craig's kids (See London Video) or sleeping on an air mattress next to a stripper pole, every time I go anywhere with XXXChurch its always an adventure. I can't believe that its already my fourth porn convention and it's my second year back here in Vegas.

I am here with some amazing girls (Mia and Rachel Sanchez) who brave the madness that is the center of the convention to find girls who would like a t-shirt, a bible, or maybe just a kind word. Today we spent a good amount of time with the boys of the gay porn industry and they are no doubt the kindest and most welcoming group that I have met so far. Also the day would not have been complete without mentioning Buck Angel and his wife. Buck is the first female to male transexual in the porn industry and he loved the bibles and the message of XXXChurch. We hope to meet with him tomorrow to hang out with him and his wife.

All the guys worked hard handing out the Bibles and we had so many people come to the booth today to say hi and that they remembered everyone from last year. I love seeing how many people have a connection with XXXChurch whether they are in porn, make porn or simply come back every year. Tomorrow the bibles will be gone, we handed out our last shirt today, and we know that some amazing connections were made. So many have opened their lives up to us and we hope that we can just keep them talking, sharing, and including us in their lives. And pray that we make it through the last night in the Vegas Party House, even thought I will miss the 9 foot tall leopard print chair. Crazy.

Rachel

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DAY 4

A lot of things surprised me at the porn convention, like clown boxes, teeth whitening and swinger watches. Out of all the things I've been asked, being invited to a wedding, by a stranger, at a porn convention, probably makes the top 5 weird list. The next day I show up to the booth (the wedding took place at the convention in a booth) and begin shooting. As I ask questions, I run into the groom, Jessie, and he begins to share his story. Being at the porn convention, I assume he is in the porn industry.....he's not, his wife is.

Jessie tells me, him and his bride to be, have been dating for 8 years. By the looks of the guys, I'm guessing they were high school sweet hearts. He says, a few years ago, they decided it was a good idea for her to be involved in the porn industry. Since than, their relationship has been open, yet one big secret. Jessie's wife won't tell her side of the family she is into porn. I ask him why and he shares that she comes from a Christian background. Immediately everything begins to connect and come to life. Here we have two normal people, who sure, they have a crazy life style, but at the end of the day, they have a family and God whom they are aware of.

Jessie gets pulled away by one of his buddies because the wedding is going to begin. Tons of fans come flocking to the booth. The flashing lights begin to get brighter and faster. Jessie and his wife are escorted by a priest to the top of a striper pole platform. The priest begins to share how he knows the couple and "especially" the wife (he mentioned he slept with her), and after a grope and kiss on the lips he lets her say her vows. She says something, but its drowned out by the audiences cheers and the music from the convention.The priest doesn't let Jessie say his vows. By this point, Jessie and his wife look embarrassed and confused, what do they do? Do they act like its normal and play along, or do they react to what is really going on in their hearts? After a few fake laughs and awkward moments they are pronounced husband and slut. They make out and come back down.

I go to Jessie and offer him a chance to say his vows on the camera. With his words he expresses how much he is thankful for me allowing him to say his vows to the camera, and with his eyes he shows me how much he is hurting. We exchange information and I head back to the booth to get them a Jesus Loves Porn Stars bible, and he goes stands next to his new wife as she talks with all her fans.
-Sam

craig wrote on January 9th 08 at 06:22PM

http://craiggross.com/?page_id=6
more videos to come tonight, but had to post this one.

MTofX3 wrote on January 9th 08 at 10:48PM

Glad you are there safely- praying-fasting-believing!

mt

Jason wrote on January 10th 08 at 08:56AM

Will keep you all in my thoughts...

el clinto wrote on January 10th 08 at 09:22AM

please keep the kids off the "firepole". :)

therealnickjones wrote on January 10th 08 at 10:10AM

Can I wear the robe to the Expo?

Candystore wrote on January 10th 08 at 11:44AM

Hi Craig,

I am encouraged by your team's perseverance doing show after show, raising funds after funds and going on despite the downs.

and it is really encouraging to have met you and mike foster online . your work is proof that Jesus is alive.


I don't have that love but it keeps me going reading about your moves.

When your website first appeared, I thought I was just going to drop in and leave.I didn't think I would come back here and post.

I didn't want to fellowship with anybody here , but your website has been a window for me to connect with people, real people.
So thanks,Craig, you have a pastoral heart and it is alive.

jaye999 wrote on January 10th 08 at 01:13PM

C'mon people.....stop letting the bible,or your perceptions of it, control your life.

We are limited in time on this earth.

Sincerely

Jay

West wrote on January 10th 08 at 05:07PM

Prayer...lots of it.

empyrean wrote on January 10th 08 at 08:10PM

i hope everyone remains safe and doesn't fall themselves while trying to reach out to others! That's my greatest concern. Praying for ya'll.

Candystore wrote on January 11th 08 at 05:39AM

I am amazed that you managed to pull funds for the bibles again.

I didn't know there are people out there who would contribute to this. But , thanks again to xxxchurch.

lied2long wrote on January 11th 08 at 09:27AM

My prayers are with you! What a great Ministry,
I remember you saying you didn't know quite what direction this ministry was going to take.
It's good to to see it growing!!! I believe you are touching more lives than you will ever know!!!
God Bless you guys!!
James

Jon wrote on January 11th 08 at 12:18PM

Hey guys,

It's Jon from England. Lovin' the updates even if I do get them at totally random times! (8 o'clock this morning...) Anyway, looks like things are proper kickin' off. Love it! Bin prayin'...

Lataz

Jon

Ross Allen wrote on January 11th 08 at 02:45PM

Hey Craig! Im going to be in Vegas for 2 weeks for the air force, it would be awesome to see yall!

Email me if you get the chance!

Godbless

Ross

Tommy wrote on January 11th 08 at 02:53PM

Hey guys,
I'm actually in Vegas, directing a Rat Pack tribute show for an AutoTrader.com event at the Mandalay!
I don't know if I'll run into you guys or not (I try to avoid the strip, where you're most likely to do your best work). But, my prayers are with you!
Feel free to email me or post here if there's a place I could pass by tonight to see a bunch of X3'ers rockin' the strip with Bibles and such. I'm no porn star, just a recovering addict, but I'd be thrilled to give some of y'all a high five and a hug for all you've done for me this past year.

Gratefully,
Tommy

Mei wrote on January 11th 08 at 06:28PM

To Everyone who reads this,

We are so PROUD of you guys for doing what you are doing. We prayed for y'all last night at a special prayer group. May the Lord be glorified through ALL your EFFORTS!!!

In Christ, Mia and Sandra, praying for you!

MTofX3 wrote on January 11th 08 at 11:37PM

To everyone who has read and responded to this thread in prayer for our team and for our ministry. THANK YOU... while there are many in religious circles who doubt the work that we do- there were many in religious circles who doubted the ministry of Jesus as He walked this earth too.

You are a blessing and we appreciate you more than you know!

Brad wrote on January 12th 08 at 08:26AM

Just like the disciples, you guys are taking it to the streets. I pray for your safety, that God's will would be done, and that you're own minds and hearts would stay focused on His purpose. God bless you daily.

Chris Williams wrote on January 12th 08 at 06:56PM

I praise God for the work he is doing through everyone of you. I ask that you lift me up in your prayers. I have been fighting porn for some time now and I do well for a week of two at a time. My problum is always "I". I need to give it to God. Rather then turning to these websites I need to turn to him alone.
Thank you for the encouragement to keep fighting and allowing me to always see God still loves me and can still use me.

God Bless
Chris

Candystore wrote on January 13th 08 at 05:47AM

Hi MT,

Thank you to xxxchurch for not ignoring the problem and taking a step to do something about it.

I've tried to connect you to other churches online so that there is a unity in the body and with unity ,you have strength. and with you in to befriend them, and to share in the pain in their lives when they have no true neighbours to trust, I think they will feel that the church cares.

I don't have what you have to go for this but what I can do , I do.

And let's keep our eyes on Jesus and see how He Himself does the work among us.

leper wrote on January 13th 08 at 03:27PM

be healed in the name ofJesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus JesusI went out once with a humble heart.. I try to cry and show God I am in it to win it.I came running out one morning either ripping my shirt in sorrow or most of the time I am trying to repent and tell God that I need help for acting so helpless.. But anyway.. I was ripping my shirt.. That is how you can also take care of two things at once.. I came out with a heart crying out to God.. For some reason---that same morning---my neighbor and his dog came by the flower bed with a heart to let nature do its thing.. Needles to say-----I guess the dog figures now to let nature to it somewhere else other than the flower bed---maybe in somebody elses woods.. I took care of Gods business though.. Maybe I also helped somebody know.. Know Know... What What What What Stay out of the flowers!!!No---I was in my own little world.. I had no clue I was going to be a peeping tom that morning.I read that Davids kid maybe------was young.. Maybe 8.. Maybe.. Josiah.. He did not stray to the right or left.. He did a bunch of work for God.. He took down all the things that were destroying his people.. He trying to get them to look up and see Jesus above all else.. God said cry and tear your clothes to somebody and maybe to the same person-----I will come with my wonderful healing power... I am so tired of this day to day battle that I got no tears in me.. I told God that.. I said---God---"I got no tears left".. I hurt so much.. But hear is my shirt I ripped out of pain.. Please take it.. Some times you feel like God is higher when you are high and lower when you are low.. Lets get high as possible.. Lets get low as possible.. Not right or left, but close to the man.. The DUDE.. For Hugs and Fun again.. Rain comes.. And RAin will come.. It will flow just like new.. With a little help for Jesus.. NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEWNazMail.com is powered by Stewardship Technology, Inc.

leper wrote on January 13th 08 at 03:33PM

FRom From From From From From From
I said for

My tongue and fingers need the help
JESUS needs no help.. He is the DUDE!

I guess I could help by just following and doing what he says to do..
Maybe then the world will see his glory.

No, They will! They will.!!!
I just have to listen and give the glory to him..
Sorry for the tongue slip.
or type slip.

leper wrote on January 13th 08 at 03:36PM

JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS
JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS
JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS
JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS
JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS
JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS
JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS
JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS

adam wrote on January 13th 08 at 10:11PM

You guys rock. Keep up the good work.

Jennie wrote on January 14th 08 at 12:45PM

Jennie from Naughty America here. Sorry I missed you guys this year at Vegas (couldn't make it), but hopefully we can catch up in LA at erotica this coming June. Brandon! Let's discuss some music, shall we? Lovely.

Sincerely,
Jennie