Gene McConnell, the son of a pastor, was a naturally charismatic young man—full of life and passionate about his faith. But an early experience of abuse introduced deep wounds that led him into a decades long struggle with sexual addiction.
Everything changed when a friend extended genuine love and acceptance, offering a glimpse of God’s grace and the unconditional embrace of the Father seen in the story of the Prodigal Son. That moment marked the beginning of a ten-year journey of healing and restoration.
Along the way, Gene came to understand a profound truth: when shame and unmet emotional needs go unaddressed, they can keep people from experiencing the love they were created for. But he also discovered that real transformation is possible.
Today, Gene shares his story to bring hope to others walking through similar battles. His message is simple and powerful: no one is too far gone—healing is possible.
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00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:45 - Gene’s early challenges
00:10:02 - Covenant Eyes
00:11:05 - What tools would have helped your parents?
00:16:40 - First exposure to p*rn
00:20:26 - Good Ranchers
00:21:37 - Did anyone know about your addiction?
00:37:35 - EveryLife
00:38:35 - When did p*rn start to escalate into more?
00:56:00 - Major fallout at church
00:59:20 - How should churches handle pastor scandals?
01:05:59 - His wife’s response to potential r*pe
01:26:41 - 2 problems that drive addictions
01:28:40 - It’s not about stopping, but becoming
01:41:00 - Learning the most important principle
01:42:17 - How can family members help?
01:51:14 - Have you seen recovery and healed marriages?
01:56:14 - P*dophiles
02:14:35 - Solutions
02:22:54 - Top 3 practical resources
02:37:00 - This is a huge deal