Apostolic Moral Purity (AMP) is a confidential community of believers committed to empowering Christians to experience deliverance from lust and pornography and find healing for sexual brokenness. AMP believes no one should feel alone in the battle for moral purity; thus, it provides anonymous and confidential forums that allow for open and honest discussion, testimonies, and support. In a culture that promotes promiscuity, AMP aims to help others live in the joy of salvation by presenting their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God (Romans 12:1).
Why Is AMP Needed?
Recent surveys conducted primarily by the Barna Group and Covenant Eyes reveal some startling statistics:
- In the United States, 47 percent of families reported that pornography is a problem in their home.
- Eleven is the average age that a child is first exposed to pornography, and 94 percent of children will see porn by the age of fourteen.
- Of Christian men ages eighteen to thirty, 77 percent look at pornography at least monthly, 36 percent view pornography on a daily basis, and 32 percent admit being addicted to pornography.
- Of Christian men ages thirty-one to forty-nine, 77 percent viewed pornography while at work in the past three months, 64 percent view pornography at least monthly, and 18 percent admit being addicted to pornography.
- Of married Christian men, 55 percent reported looking at pornography at least monthly.
- Of “church-going men,” 68 percent admitted watching pornography on a regular basis.
Pornography is not just a problem for men anymore:
- Of women ages twenty-five and under, 33 percent search for porn at least once per month.
- Only 13 percent of self-identified Christian women say they never watch pornography.
Sadly, only seven percent of churches reported having a ministry for pornography addiction.
More about AMP
At Apostolic Moral Purity (AMP), we believe it is time to bring these problems into the light and for the church to go on the offensive against them.
AMP was founded on September 1, 2020, after Dr. Daniel Sirstad felt a deep urge to develop a ministry that would reach tens of thousands of Apostolic men and women with a message of hope. AMP is bringing a comprehensive, Apostolic approach to this fight because compulsive sexual behaviors and addictions are complex problems with physical, emotional, cognitive, and, most importantly, spiritual causes.
People struggling with addictions simply do not heal on their own. While I John 1:9 tells us we can confess to God and be forgiven, James 5:16 also instructs to confess to one another and pray so that we can be healed. In other words, God works through the church to bring deliverance.
AMP currently offers a Christ-centered twelve-step recovery program for men addicted to pornography or sexual compulsion. Support groups for betrayed spouses are available, and recovery groups for women are being developed. These programs are offered with strict confidentiality, anonymity, and accountability. Everyone in recovery is encouraged to include pastors and spouses.
AMP believes there must be a balance between the work of the Spirit and the effort of each individual striving to live in sexual purity. We cannot expect God to do all the work for us. Neither can we do all the work alone. In addition to providing resources to help the individual struggling with sexual sin, AMP is also developing videos, written materials, and conferences to equip pastors and church leaders to effectively address these issues in the local church.
The AMP team believes that sexual purity is achievable for all believers. AMP wants every man, woman, young person, and child struggling with pornography and sexual impurity to know you are not alone. This is important, because you will not overcome this addiction alone, but with God, all things are possible—and the AMP team is committed to helping you work through God’s process of recovery.
AMP was officially endorsed by the United Pentecostal Church International at the 2022 UPCI General Conference. Visit ApostolicMoralPurity.com to learn more about this ministry or to start your personal journey towards healing.
Neil Jepson, PhD, is a credentialed minister with the United Pentecostal Church International and a licensed clinical psychologist in Bloomington, Illinois. He has been working in the mental health field for more than twenty years. Dr. Jepson is a member of the Center for Apostolic Counseling and is a vice president of Apostolic Moral Purity.
(A version of this article was published in Family Ministries January newsletter.)
Resources and Links
Escaping Fantasyland: Overcoming Pornography One Decision at a Time
Escaping Fantasyland Book Promo
I wish this information was available in the 80’s. Porn was not recognized by the Apostolic churches. this could have possibly saved my marriage & my children lots of heartache. I am pleased the ministry is acknowleging this problem. May God bless eveyone who gets help.
I’m glad this article resonated with you.