A Prodigal Son's Story By J.M.

Thank you His Way Out Ministries, your supporters, and Pastor Phillip Lee for your prayers and help in bringing healing to my life in the area of sexual brokenness. It has been a long time coming and this has not been my first attempt in trying to get help in this area. Everything seemed to come together for me in the blessing of His Way Out Ministries.

Availability, understanding, and affordability, had been a problem in the past. I had reached out in many ways only to have no one there to understand. The services had been unaffordable and sometimes the views too liberal. I don't blame anyone. Too often, homosexuality is a dark subject, even to the most learned institutions of this world and even in the highest order of Christendom. However, His Way Out Ministries offers a balance of biblical truth and compassion, tempered with such grace, that my life will never be the same again.

I was forced to move back to Bakersfield from Nashville because of unseen legal problems. I have been a Christian for over twenty years. In the last four years, I started going to gay clubs out of desperation for love and acceptance. These unnatural affections had been a part of my struggle against sin since childhood...an identity I could not let go, nor embrace.

Like the prodigal son, I left my Father's house for the excitements and pleasures of the big city. I found out that the gay lifestyle is not all that it promises to be. Sin always has a way of promising you much, but leaving you with a lifetime of pain and regret. I played every hand I had and wasted my fortune on wild living, never thinking about tomorrow...only on the pleasure of the moment.

The alcohol, cocaine, and the sex was not working any more and all of the enticements of this world could no longer drown out the voice of the Holy Spirit, I had been grieving. The conviction was tearing me apart. How could I do this to my Heavenly Father who has done so much to prove His love for me? I knew better. Ultimately, I came face-to-face with the truth of God's Word.

There are many people in the gay community who knew God at one time. Or at least, knew about Him. Many have become hard and bitter with no hope of real change because families and churches have given up on them. At His Way Out Ministries, I found a place of hope, healing and prayer.

You might be saying...How can someone who has known Jesus Christ as their personal savior as long as I have, still have problems? How could I have turned from Him to live a life of sin again? I have asked myself the same question over and over again. This is what I have come to learn. God's love is not like mans. His love is not a conditional love. God's love passes all human reasoning and intellect. I have come to know a love that would leave the 99 to look for the one that was lost. A love that will forgive and forget 365 times a day if asked. A love that looks at the heart and not the outward appearance.

I have learned not to judge a book by its cover...before you read the whole story. I have learned that only God forgets the wrong that has been done and rewards you like it never happened. I have learned to never question God's power to forgive sins, nor try to fully understand His love. His love must be experienced and is revealed to me by the Holy Spirit. I have learned that I must spend quality time in building a relationship with Him and learning to hear His voice every day of my life, for the rest of my life. I am never going to fully comprehend all He has done for me. I have learned that God is the only true judge and I should never confuse His judgments with the judgments of others. Who am I to question His sovereignty in choosing me? Who am I to deny His shed blood?

The Apostle Paul said it like this...I care very little if I am judged by you or any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore, judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. A that time each will receive His praise from God. 1 Corinthians 4:3-5

I am looking forward to a New Year with hope and expectancy. With Jesus Christ and His Way Out Ministries by my side, I can truly do all things. May God richly bless you.

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Bakersfield AIDS Walk-A-Thon

Saturday, May 4, 2002
10AM to 3PM
Bakersfield's Beach Park

Join the His Way Out Ministries team and show your support for those who live with HIV/AIDS in our community. AIDS is an equal opportunity disease and has not spared Bakersfield or Kern County. Come lend your support for those infected and help prevent further infections.

In this moment, God has called us to respond.

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11 Men Pursuing Wholeness In Christ

On February 25, 2002, eleven men entered our Time Out Discipleship Support Group Series, to receive biblical teaching, support, hope, prayer and accountability, to resolve same-gender attractions. The men span a wide range of age, denominations and nationalities.

As with any obsessive or addictive behavior, a person must want to change before permanent change can take place. There is no quick and easy recipe to freedom from homosexuality. There is no magic pill that a man or woman can take in order to be instantly healed. It is the development of a personal relationship with God the Father. Like any relationship, it takes time to really get to know and appreciate the Father. However, every day that is spent in pursuit of Him will be a day of receiving more healing and restoration. Therefore, if it is the will of God to supply all of our needs (and indeed it is His will), and if we get anything we pray for that is according to His will, then we have a sure-fire answer to the need for healing in the area of sexual dysfunction.

Time Out began on February 25, 2002 and will conclude on May 20, 2002. Each of the eleven men has entered this series to seek the Deliverer and not just the deliverance. Since time in and of itself does not heal wounds, it is our prayer and expectation at His Way Out Ministries, that as each man actively works towards recovery, that God will meet each one at their point of need.

Each of the eleven men has humbled themselves by coming to Time Out. I am convinced that God can work with a humble heart and spirit. Frankly, when last I checked, the criteria for Christian excellence has never been moral perfection. No, the criteria for Christian excellence has always been and remains...humility.

Please join me in prayer for each of the eleven men. Each of their faces displays a hunger and a hope in Christ. Their willingness, transparency and honesty humble me.

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Breaking Free of Sexual Addiction

In cooperation with Mike Evans and Wholeness Ministries, I will have the pleasure of participating in a teaching series which addresses breaking free of sexual addiction. Beginning in April, some of the topics to be covered are...

What Is Sexual Addiction & How Does It Operate?
Root Sources For Improper Sexual Development
Why People Remain In Sexual Sin & Bondage
Rebuilding The Spiritual House

All of the teachings will be held at the Wholeness Ministries office which is located at 4301 Stine Rd., Suite H (New Life Center), in Bakersfield. For further information regarding the series, please contact Wholeness Ministries at (661) 833-2920.

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His Way Out Ministries Services

Consultations

Family Support Group

Individual Prayer Ministry

"Time Out" Discipleship Series

Ministry Support Network

Speakers available to address Christian groups

"Moving On" Advanced/Closed Support Groups

"It's About Life" Ministry to Those Impacted by AIDS

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IT'S ABOUT LIFE:
Food Ministry to Those Impacted by AIDS

AIDS profoundly impacts one's life whether that person has been infected by it or they are a family member or a friend of someone who has. The social stigmas, fears and especially the "aloneness" associated with AIDS makes it oppressive to live with. "IT'S ABOUT LIFE" is a crucial part of His Way Out Ministries. Because His Way Out Ministries is committed to compassionately communicating God's heart through a caring Christian community, His Way Out Ministries will be a receiving house for non-perishable food items. This will assist those with AIDS to maintain a balanced diet and good nutrition. Two major considerations in food donations for folks with AIDS are speed and ease of preparation. An appetite sometimes doesn't last long and the item has to be readily accessible and speedily prepared for the patient to be able to enjoy it.

We invite churches, companies, ministries, corporations, individuals, and the entire City of Bakersfield to join with us in caring. Offer your support by donating the below listed items.

Canned tuna	Canned soups
Canned ravioli	Canned pasta products, e.g.Spaghettio's
Hamburger Helper	Peanut butter
Hamburger Helper	Peanut butter
Jams and jellies	Breakfast cereals
Breakfast bars	Fruit cocktail
Canned peaches	Top Ramen
Cup o' Noodle soups	Canned potatoes
Canned corn	Macaroni and cheese mixes
Rice 'o Roni type mixes	Chili beans
Tomato paste, Tomato sauce	Spaghetti sauce
Potted meats	Canned stews
Instant potato mixes, e.g., scalloped	Instant oatmeal variety packs
Kleenex	Paper towels
Toilet paper	Popsicles (not frozen)
Instant breakfast drinks	Spaghetti

His Way Out Ministries is located at Brimhall Road Assembly of God. Items will be distributed in cooperation with other outreaches in our community. This is a continuous, on-going ministry. For further information, please call 661-589-4262. God Bless You for your giving.

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Send a Donation to His Way Out

In your own church, and throughout this entire world, people are in need of God's clarity about their relationships and their sexuality. Participating in the work of H.W.O.M. is one way to acknowledge Christ's healing power for the sexually broken.

Through your financial support or volunteer involvement, you can add your voice to those who are speaking the truth of God with integrity.

His Way Out Ministries is a nonprofit, tax exempt Christian ministry associated with Exodus International.

You can donate using PayPal...

Or send a contribution to:
His Way Out Ministries, 10700 Brimhall Road, Bakersfield, CA 93312
(Checks should be made payable to His Way Out Ministries)

Copyright � His Way Out Ministries

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Welcome to His Way Out Ministries

April 2002 Highlights