What happened when porn-star cried, ‘Jesus, Buddha, God, whichever one of you is real, save me.’

Once regarded as a world-famous porn star, Brittni De La Mora (professionally known as Jenna Presley), spent seven years in the industry before a divine call saved her life. Along with husband Richard, Brittni now leads Love Always Ministries.

As a university student, De La Mora worked at a Santa Barbra strip club. One night she was approached by producers and asked if she were interested in making “romance movies.” In September 2005, she started in the adult film industry at 18 years old. Five years later, Maxim named De La Mora one of the top 12 female stars in porn, while Complex ranked her 17th in its 2011, Top 100 Hottest Porn Stars list.

Initially empowered, De La Mora’s career soon plunged her into a deep depression

Initially empowered, De La Mora’s career soon plunged her into a deep depression “when you continue to objectify yourself, sooner or later, you will feel it. It takes a toll on your soul.”

She recalls her most prominent memories being fuelled by dark days of despair, only surviving using drugs and alcohol. De La Mora told the Mighty Pursuit podcast that she used GHB as a sleep aid, that’s how much she hated her life.

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“I journaled a lot when I was in porn, I still do to this day, and I wrote Jesus, Buddha, God, whichever one of you is real, save me. Show me a sign, let me know that everything is going to be all right. I always knew that God existed, but I didn’t know exactly what that meant, which one is it? And Jesus came to me – God in the form of Jesus, and I felt like God was telling me Brittni, I love you so much and this is not the life that I have for you. The life that I have for you will overflow with so much love, peace and joy, and if you quit this business today, I will bless your life.” De La Mora took this spiritual ultimatum as a step of faith and immediately quit porn in December 2012.

Within churches, porn is a shame filled topic, this makes it difficult for Christians to address. Many leaders preach against it, rebuking anyone who’s indulged and calls individuals to repent. Those in the congregation trying to quit, leave church feeling chastened. The Freedom Fight believes churches should establish a restorative culture that de-shames the issue and equips individuals with the help to overcome addiction. Brittni De La Mora saw this attitude in XXX Church.

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The New Jersey based Church understands that porn or sex addiction are serious issues that require genuine support. Their aim is to empower sexual integrity through mental wellbeing and freedom from unwanted sexual behaviour. The churches Pastor, Rachel Collins was an influential figure in De La Mora’s life; she now works for the church, travelling around the world, preaching the gospel and sharing how God set her free.

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In 2016, De La Mora married her husband Richard, the couple felt it was important that they stay true to biblical teachings, abstaining from sex until they were married. They made this decision to protect their purity and focus on their marital commitment, four years later, Brittni and Richard founded Love Always Ministries. The organisation helps people to walk in their calling, by discovering God’s love and leading them away from a life of sin.

De La Mora doesn’t see purity as being external, she believes that purity is an ‘internal thing’ that shouldn’t focus on abstinence. It should centre around relationship with God and the standing that we have in his Kingdom. On social media De La Mora said it was God’s love that won her heart, but his kindness led her to repentance. Her story is one of transformative restoration, after seven years of brokenness Jesus rescued her from shame - demonstrating his unconditional love. When the world dictated, she was broken, He came to De La Mora, washing her clean and giving her a new life of purity. In God’s name nobody is forsaken.