Background

I grew up in the Midwest as the oldest child in a large Christian family. Church, AWANAs, youth rallies, and Christian summer camps were common experiences in my upbringing. My mother homeschooled us all, and, being taught the Truth, I accepted Christ at a young age. However, despite this strong foundation, future struggles in this world were inevitable.

When I moved back to Colorado at age 12, my life shifted from an isolated farm life to the rural front range of the Rocky Mountains. Soon after, my struggles multiplied. As my friend group expanded, I was exposed to pornography. Initially scarce, the struggle intensified with the proliferation of home-based internet access. It didn’t take long for me to learn how to delete browsing history and hide such activities from others.

I don’t remember the exact year—perhaps when I was 15 or 16—but during a summer youth camp, I experienced an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Inside a chapel nestled in the Rocky Mountains, the sermon that night focused on sexual purity. Afterward, most attendees were at the altar or in the pews, weeping under the Spirit’s presence. Accepting this calling, I committed to a life of purity, waiting until marriage for sexual intimacy.

Upon returning from camp, life continued. Although I managed physical temptations, the lust of the eyes persisted. At 19, I joined the Army, pursuing my childhood dream of flying the Army’s attack helicopters. Six months later, I entered flight school. For the first time in my life, I had an apartment to myself—and, not surprisingly, my ongoing struggles intensified.