Today, we want to share with you a powerful testimony from Rich Witmer, a 76-year-old warrior who’s been on both sides of the battle against pornography. His story is a testament to the fact that it’s never too late to find freedom and help others do the same.
The Early Days: A Personal Battle
Rich’s journey began in middle school when he first encountered masturbation. Like many, he found himself trapped in a cycle, a binge-purge pattern that he couldn’t shake. He tried, oh man, did he try, but it wasn’t until marriage that this cycle took a backseat. But the battle wasn’t over. Like many, marriage wasn’t the solution to an addiction to masturbation and, soon to be, pornography.
In his late 20s, an abandoned stash of magazines by a renter introduced him to the world of pornography. And a decade later, while living in Brazil, the easy access to uncensored content tempted him once again. Later Rich eventually found freedom and has held onto it since.
But, what keeps Rick on the path of freedom? 
A Heart for the Youth
Rich has been deeply involved with mentoring the youth for over half a century. In his early 70s, a student from his high school group reached out, seeking guidance for his struggles with moral purity. Having walked that path, Rich felt a deep connection and embarked on a mission to find resources that could help without adding layers of shame. He realized that his personal path to freedom wasn’t really reproducible for those he was trying to help.
Rich stumbled upon Ted leading a webinar on Covenant Eyes. As a result of this, he dove into Ted’s book, “The Freedom Fight: The New Drug and the Truths That Set Us Free,” and found this material to be a beacon of hope. It gave him a comprehensive look at pornography and its effects on our brains and our relationships.
Armed with new tools and resources, Rich continued mentoring the student mentioned above, who, during his college years, opened up to Rich about his own challenges with porn and masturbation. This student found his freedom through consistent meetings and guidance, honesty, and accountability.
Expanding the Mission
Rich’s passion didn’t stop there. When another group of high school boys expressed their struggles, he introduced them to the 25-week Flagship Freedom Fight program. But the journey had its bumps. Rich learned that talking openly about pornography and addiction was often met with resistance from parents who were well-intentioned. But knowing the value of community and accountability Rich pressed on and found individuals who were eager to continue. This even included a young church leader who confessed his own addiction to pornography as he journeyed through the program.
The Ripple Effect
Rich’s dedication and discipleship focus bore fruit. From guiding young men admitting deeper addictions to helping a middle-aged man rebuild his life and marriage, Rich became a beacon of hope for many. The men he mentored started meeting together, sharing their struggles, and lifting each other up in prayer. Rich’s current focus? Meeting with these warriors weekly, emphasizing spiritual growth, and encouraging them to give back and be leaders in vulnerability and accountability.
The Road Ahead
Rich’s commitment to the fight for freedom is unwavering. He believes in the power of the 25-week program, even for younger individuals. He dreams of guiding fathers first, equipping them to support their children. But he acknowledges the challenges, especially if the fathers aren’t walking in freedom.
With the support of pastoral staff, Rich is ready to lead a new group, emphasizing discipleship. Resistance remains, but if there’s one thing Rich’s journey teaches us: with persistence, understanding, and the right resources, freedom is achievable. And it is something that can be passed on to others.
Whether battling personal demons or guiding others, remember, it’s never too late to seek freedom and to disciple others to freedom in Christ.
