Path to Freedom and Abundant Life in Jesus

Two of the most common ways to deal with a serious issue in our life is first, acknowledge it that it’s a problem, then own it. The second is to deal with it. This part can be a long process for many. In a very linear perspective, practical tools and steps can help to stay on track toward being set free. The PKNZ Set Free initiative using Freedom Fight for instance is a seven-month program to deal with p*rn addiction, and it’s one of the most successful PK-run programs over the years. Others take the 12 Step Program which is widely used by Alcohol Anonymous.

In the most linear view, any tools and programs can help, but without biblical truths built into the model, I would liken it to riding a horse cart with wheels cut out of watermelons. Romans 3:23 says “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This verse is an admission of our fallen nature, acknowledging what we are. The second part is to, “… declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

The testimonies below, are the testaments of God’s Spirit working through Set Free and the Freedom Fight program as a tool, to set our men free from addiction. Our facilitators and leaders are volunteers, but they are dedicated because they believe in the power of one – “starting with the one, then the next, then the next…!”

In His richest blessings
Frank Po Ching

None of us can do this alone. We need community…
Phil is a Set Free group leader who says, “In working with people with addictions, my driving bottom line is to help them discover love, real love; self-emptying, other focussed, no-strings-attached type love. This alone does huge damage to addiction. Then it is mostly a learning how to train the brain to think in healthier ways. Our brains never stop developing and learning new things, and ways to think. We could call this ‘renewing the mind’.

None of us can do this alone. We need community. By creating small groups with extremely high levels of confidentiality, trust develops. Then members will start to share their story, their pain. Exposing the pain begins to remove the shame. Shame is cancer to the soul. Shame cloaks itself in secrets. Living with no secrets and living with no shame is true freedom.” – Phil van der Mespel

Testimonies of Hope and Being Set Free

A way out of this struggle… and transformational to my walk with Christ…
“I started a similar course nearly eight years ago with Promise Keepers and I have found this journey to be transformational to my walk with Christ. My marriage has improved, my life has become better, and I have built some amazing friendships with other men who really want a breakthrough in their battle against p*rnogr@phy and unwanted s#xual behaviour. If you have been looking for a way out of this struggle, then seize the day. Today you can start that journey!” - Christian

Now walking in freedom and living the life God intended for me…
“After struggling to get free of p*rnogr@phy for over 20 years I am now walking in freedom and living the life God intended for me. This journey began when I joined a Set Free group through PK.” - John

Breaking the chains of s#xual addiction…
“This has been the most invaluable course I’ve participated in. It equipped me with the understanding, community, accountability and spiritual direction necessary to break the chains of s#xual addiction which haunted my life. It has enabled me to step boldly into the man God has called me to be, liberated from the shame and guilt that suppressed my freedom for so long.” - Max

Seeing myself through God's eyes, my worth in Him…
“Without PK and Set Free, I would probably still be in a dark pit of shame. But now seeing myself through God's eyes, my worth in Him and the encouragement from the other men in the group, gave me back some of my self-worth. Quite simply I'm now in agreement with how God sees me and can therefore work with Him every day rather than strive to get there.” - Manfred

Tools to help me change those emotions and behaviours…
“I knew the behaviour that I wanted to stop. But it wasn’t until I came into the Set Free course that I realised that my behaviour was being driven by emotions and core beliefs that I had about myself. As I’ve gone through the process of participating in the courses, I’ve been able to apply tools to help me change those emotions and behaviours.” - S

The s#xual addiction in my life has been insidious, with deep roots… More than ever, I want to be set free…
“This Set Free course gives me the best chance of being free. The material is excellent, deeply honest and often confronting. It needs to be, because the s#xual addiction in my life has been insidious, with deep roots. The group of guys I'm journeying with have kept me on the course. I've continued to participate in the group, continued to work the steps I need to towards recovery, continued to allow God to speak and ask me to surrender things to Him. My relationship with God and my wife is the best it's been since I've been married. Fifteen months in, am I out of the woods yet? No, there's still a long way to go. But I've recently had my longest period of sobriety, and I want more of it. More than ever, I want to be set free.” - Ben

Greater peace of mind… repaired relationships… accountability…
“This Set Free course helped me to bond with other men going through this same predicament as well as peel away the layers in the mind and spirit with p*rn addictions. Six months later I am still going strong, have much greater peace of mind, have repaired my relationship with my wife and am feeling more positive for the future. This course has helped develop accountability and understanding in an area that is kept in the shadows for far too many people.” - David

To find out about the PKNZ Set Free initiative go to www.promisekeepers.org.nz/set-free/