One difficult problem, understood through research, counseling, pastoral ministry, and writing.

Published researcher

The research came before the Oaks framework

Dr. Ade’s sustained focus on pornography and shame reaches back to his doctoral research. In April 2014, Liberty University accepted his Ph.D. in Counseling dissertation, Pornography and Sexism: The Role of Shame in the Relationship Between Pornography-Use and Sexist Attitudes.

The study examined pornography use and sexist attitudes alongside two shame-related variables: Trait-Shame Proneness, a person’s tendency to experience shame, and Other-Attack Tendencies, a shame-coping pattern that turns blame or hostility outward. It also considered moral objection to pornography and participants’ belief that they were addicted.

The results were not reduced to a convenient slogan. The proposed three-way interaction among pornography use, Trait-Shame Proneness, and Other-Attack Tendencies did not significantly predict sexist attitudes. Other-Attack Tendencies nevertheless contributed to the regression model under the study’s specified conditions, and believing oneself addicted showed a significant direct relationship with sexism. Those mixed findings reinforced a conviction that pornography cannot be understood responsibly through behavior alone; shame, belief, coping, identity, and relationship all deserve careful attention.

Clinical counselor

Listening carefully to the complexity beneath the behavior

Clinical and pastoral counseling education gave Dr. Ade sustained exposure to the complexity of human suffering and the responsibility of caring for people wisely. His work as a clinical counselor brought the research questions into contact with real people: not only what someone was doing, but how shame, secrecy, relationships, beliefs, suffering, and patterns of coping shaped the struggle.

This perspective still informs Oaks. It supports careful questions, honest distinctions, appropriate referrals, and humility about what a ministry program can and cannot do.

Biblical counselor and pastor

Bringing the whole person under the care of Scripture

Over time, Dr. Ade became persuaded that Scripture is not merely one helpful voice among many. It is God’s sufficient and authoritative Word for understanding the person before God and directing the ministry of soul care. His movement from clinical counseling toward biblical counseling was therefore not a rejection of careful observation or compassionate listening. It was a decision about final authority, the meaning of the human problem, and the hope offered in Christ.

Pastoral ministry located that care in the life of the church. People need more than information or isolated behavior management. They need gospel truth, wise relationships, accountable practice, appropriate pastoral oversight, and a faithful community in which they can learn to walk in the light.

Pastor and author

Turning long study into resources people and churches can use

The questions first formalized in doctoral research continued through counseling rooms, pastoral ministry, personal testimony, writing, facilitator formation, and church-based groups. As an author, Dr. Ade translates that sustained work into Scripture-governed resources for participants, spouses, counselors, facilitators, and churches.

Oaks of Righteousness grows from this convergence of perspectives. Its aim is not to build an online substitute for the church or to claim that one lens explains everything. It is to help churches and trustworthy people understand hidden sexual struggle more fully and accompany one another from shame and secrecy toward gospel-rooted freedom and fruitful service.

OaksOS supports that calling through approved resources, guided Journeys, private reflection, prayer, groups, gatherings, and carefully governed AI. The relationship remains primary; the technology serves it.