Breaking Shame & Finding Freedom: Nick Stumbo on Pornography & Healing in the Church

How can the church create safe spaces for healing from pornography and sexual brokenness? In this powerful conversation, Nick Stumbo from Pure Desire Ministry joins hosts Karen Potter and Rob Stoddard to talk about shame, recovery, and the hope of freedom in Christ.In this episode of The Covenant Eyes Podcast, Karen Potter and Rob Stoddard sit down with Nick Stumbo, Executive Director of Pure Desire Ministry. Together, they explore how the church can respond to pornography and sexual addiction with grace, truth, and community.Nick shares his personal story of transformation and how Pure Desire provides resources, small groups, and counseling to help men, women, and couples find lasting freedom. The discussion covers:• Why shame keeps people silent and how churches can break that barrier• The importance of shifting our language from “you” to “we” when addressing sexual struggles• How generational differences impact views on pornography• Why both men and women need healing from sexual brokenness• Practical steps for pastors and church leaders to start recovery groups• How Pure Desire partners with Covenant Eyes to equip families and churches💡 Whether you’re a church leader, parent, or individual seeking freedom, this conversation offers hope and a clear pathway forward.🔗 Resources & Links:Pure Desire: https://puredesire.orgBook: Hope, Healing and Freedom by Nick Stumbo & Ashley JamesonLearn How Covenant Eyes Works: https://cvnteyes.co/4gb6xme#CovenantEyes #PureDesire #PornRecovery #FreedomInChrist #ChurchLeadership #OvercomingShameChapters:00:00 – Welcome & Introduction00:50 – Who is Nick Stumbo and Pure Desire Ministry?02:30 – How Pure Desire equips churches05:00 – The power of in-person groups & community06:50 – Breaking shame in the church09:10 – Changing the pronouns: from “you” to “we”12:30 – Generational differences in pornography struggles16:00 – Stories of healing across generations18:10 – Key findings from Beyond the Porn Phenomenon study20:45 – The rise of porn use among women23:30 – Helping Gen Z return to the church26:00 – Why silence in the church feeds shame28:20 – Building safe, structured communities33:00 – Paradigm shifts for pastors and leaders35:10 – Easy next steps for starting Pure Desire groups39:00 – New book: Hope, Healing and Freedom41:00 – Closing thoughts & resourcesSend us your feedback!Try Covenant Eyes for FREE today!Use Promo Code: FreePodcast © 2026 Covenant Eyes, All Rights Reserved