NEWPORT, Tenn.–It took a broken heart for Michele Washam to finally realize that she was breaking the hearts and lives of countless women.

In 1995 while living in Delaware, Washam designed what may have been one of the first “ladies only” adult pornographic websites, Just4Ladies.com.

That site still exists 10 years later, but with a new focus — Jesus Christ.

Washam, who now serves as the secretary for West End Baptist Church in Newport, Tenn., is not proud of the fact she designed several adult websites. She readily admits she was not “addicted” to pornography. For her, it was all about money.

“It was a huge industry at the time,” she recalled. “My income was incredible — an average of about $24,000 a week.”

Washam said that though she felt some guilt — being raised by devout Catholic parents, she knew better — the money kept her from pulling the plug on her lucrative website.

She realized that what she was doing was destroying the family values she cherished. Still, the money was hard for her to give up.

It finally took a major, life-changing event “for me to realize I needed to change,” Washam said.

Washam, who had three children from a prior marriage, had been engaged for three years to a man she loved very much. Out of the blue he called her one day and told her he did not love her and was leaving.

“I had the rug pulled out from under me,” said Washam, who readily admits she considered suicide.

One day, while walking alone on a Florida beach and looking out over the ocean, Washam “called out to God and He answered.”

“I said, God if you’re really there, please help. Instantly I felt Him plant seeds of faith in my heart. I knew instantly He was going to help me,” Washam said.

She also knew that if she was going to ask God for something she needed to do something in return. “I immediately took down my porn site and refunded thousands of dollars,” she said.

Washam is convinced now more than ever of the evil of pornography and the need to protect one’s home from it. She’s remorseful that she helped contribute to people’s addiction to pornography, but she has turned it all over to God.

“I have forgiven myself because I know the Lord has forgiven me and I am doing my best to make up for it,” Washam said.

Washam’s former porn site now offers hope and encouragement to both women and men who have been hurt through broken relationships.

She noted the site is “dedicated to helping men and women cope with, overcome, survive and restore their broken hearts by combining faith in God and knowledge of His word.”

Washam has designed a workshop which includes her book, “A Course in Heartbreak,” and she recently launched HeartbreakUniversity.org where she shares the course with men and women around the world.

“Women’s [and men’s] hearts break the same, no matter where they live,” Washam observed.

In addition to teaching online classes, Washam also writes an “advice” column on the web. She is careful to point out she is not a counselor. The book and online/live course are elements of her website that are fee based, but she does waive the cost of the book when there is a real need.

“It’s God’s book, not mine,” she said.

At the height of her pornography career, Washam had about 7,000-7,500 paid members. About 1,200 of those have since signed onto the Christian site, which has grown from 12 members to about 57,000. There is no charge for membership to the Christian site.

Washam estimates she has about three million “hits” (people who go to the site) each month. The hits have doubled in the last six months, she said.

The underlying theme of the site is to “reach people by getting them to look up,” Washam said.

“I can’t solve their problems and I don’t want them to think I can. Little by little I introduce them to God and gently guide them through the Gospel.”

The site includes information on how to be saved and helps lead a person through a prayer of salvation. Washam also follows up on those decisions and tries to help the individuals find a church home.

Washam is driven by the desire to use the pain of her broken relationship to help others. “If I had not had my heart broken, I could not help others the way I do now,” she said.

“I like knowing that my pain was not in vain — that I am helping someone else.”

Washam’s story gets even better. She eventually met her husband, Michael Washam, who she lovingly describes as her “angel from heaven.”

“He is very supportive and helps me with my ministry,” she said.

Looking back she realizes now that God does not choose the wrong mate for people.

“We do. We have to ask God into our situation and when we are in communion with Him, I believe He will send the right mate.”

Last year the Washams decided to move to Newport.

A lifelong Catholic, Washam never dreamed of attending a Baptist church. Her husband, who was raised as a Baptist, convinced her to at least attend West End in Newport, Tenn., just once.

She recalled that when they drove up to the church she had made up her mind “to hate it.”

“[But] I walked through the door and knew I had found my church home. I never looked back,” she said.

“God definitely has a sense of humor,” she said, smiling. She jokes that at times she still “slips” and calls her pastor, Tom Mooty, “Father Tom” instead of “Bro. Tom.”

Mooty baptized Washam. In the days that followed all three of her children professed faith in Christ and were baptized as well. Both Washam and her husband began to get involved with the church, and he is now serving as youth director. Michele became the church secretary this summer.

“The church needed a secretary and I needed something to do,” she said, laughing. “It’s not a job. I have gotten more from here than I could describe.”