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Welcome to His Way Out Ministries
February 2004 Highlights
- Gay Christians?
- Coming Up...
- In Closing...
- Video: "Homosexuality and the Reality of Change"
- IT'S ABOUT LIFE: Food Ministry to Those Impacted by AIDS
- His Way Out Ministries Services
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Send a Donation to His Way Out Ministries |
"How can we go on being ashamed of something that God created? Yes, God created homosexuals and homosexuality." Rev. Troy Perry, Founder, Metropolitan Community Church
When God is alleged to approve of and sanction the abominable, a religious travesty is being played out. Believers are falling into homosexual sin and legitimizing it while scores of heterosexual Christians are applauding them as they do. Prominent religious figures and Christian organizations are giving a friendly nod of approval, making Isaiah's warning more relevant than ever before: "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness" (Isaiah 5:20). Small wonder the gay Christian movement has made such strides, considering the weakness and moral uncertainty evident in many church bodies.
My work for the past ten years ministering to men and women combating same-gender attraction, and as a speaker to numerous churches and conferences, leads me to believe there is something amiss in conservative churches. By in large, many are taking a clear stand against gay philosophy, while at the same time, showing indifference to, or ignorance of, the many believers in their own ranks who struggle with homosexuality. When the subject is mentioned from the pulpit, it's usually presented as a problem "out there", yet few pastors add, "Perhaps someone here is wrestling with this sin, as well. Resist it - God will be with you as you do. And so will we."
As one who has known numerous men and women that have renounced homosexual practices, I can attest to the world of difference one remark like that from a pastor can make.
Special ministries exist in many churches for people dealing with chemical dependency, alcoholism, marital problems, emotional dependency, and eating disorders, yet the question I have heard hundreds of times, "Why don't they do anything to help us get over homosexuality?" remains largely unanswered.
Is it possible that many conservative Christians may simply be unable to believe that such a problem could be plaguing one of their own? "I've never run across that in my church," a local minister once told me when I tried to acquaint him with our ministry to repentant homosexuals. A sense of ethics kept me from informing him that two of his members came to me each week for counseling.
The gay Christian movement or a gay church can look very appealing to a man or woman struggling with homosexuality. It offers them acceptance and understanding that they may never have found in the church. However, that does not absolve them of responsibility if, like the many, they decide to embrace pro-gay theology. But if we have offered them little help on their way to making that decision, don't we bear some responsibility, too?
An excellent observation on this point is made by Ron Rhodes... "A person does not usually join a cult because he has done an exhaustive analysis of world religions and has decided that a particular cult presents the best theology available. Instead, a person generally joins a cult because he has problems that he is having trouble solving, and the cult promises to solve these problems."
Can't we, the Church, promise to solve the problems, too? We must confront the expanding gay Christian movement, refuting its false claims, and equip ourselves to answer its revisions of the Bible. We can promise to develop a more effective response to the repentant homosexual in our churches who desire and deserve our support.
In terms of how effective the Church of Jesus Christ will be in combating the gay Christian movement and homosexuality, will largely be determined by our willingness to be inconvenienced. It's inconvenient to study the gay theology and learn how to refute it. It will certainly be inconvenient to train Christians to stand for truth in our campuses, television studios, and sanctuaries. Establishing ministries in our churches to repentant homosexuals will be inconvenient and controversial. And...getting involved with them, through one-on-one discipling, will be a major inconvenience as well.
Heaven knows, I was truly fortunate. Pastors and loving Christians took me in when I repented. Strong brothers welcomed me into their fellowship. I was forgiven, accepted and restored. Maybe with an awakening to our need for each other no matter what our background or former sins, more men and women will find that they too, will be welcomed as they return to their father's house. It's not a pipe dream. It's entirely possible.
Gratefully Redeemed,
Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries
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Coming Up...
February 7th - L.I.F.E. (Living in Fellowship...Even in Tough Times)
The L.I.F.E. Support Group offers education and sharing for those choosing to leave the homosexual lifestyle, spouses, family members and friends of those struggling with homosexuality, and those desiring to understand the complexities of homosexuality. L.I.F.E. meets faithfully on the first Saturday of each month from 9am to 11am. On February 7th we will begin a new teaching series designed to help individuals and families deal with homosexual issues.
February 14th & 28th, "Time Out," a discipleship support group for men and women struggling with same-gender attraction. Although one need not be a Christian to benefit from Time Out, a primary goal of the group meetings is to help men and women discover the loving, powerful presence of God who is there on behalf of their struggle.
March 12-13, Christian Ministry Convention, "United We Serve:
Reaching the City Together" will be held at Olive Drive Church in Bakersfield. Over 80 workshops for Pastors and Church Lay Leaders, including topics on: Community Outreach, Special Needs, Intercessory Prayer, Youth, and much more. His Way Out Ministries will be leading two workshops: A Christian Response to Homosexuality and Homosexuality and the Reality of Change.
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In Closing...
Please do not forget to pray for my assistant, Darren Thompson, who is currently serving as a missionary in Guyana, South America. Darren departed the U.S. on January 5th and will be in Guyana until June 29, 2004. Darren remains on staff with His Way Out Ministries and will be assisting Pastor David Persaud in the ministry of helps at his church in Stewartville. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated as Darren assists Pastor David with evangelism and spreading the Good News about deliverance from homosexuality.
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Video: "Homosexuality and the Reality of Change"
Homosexuality and the Reality of Change presents a biblical perspective on the homosexual behavior with honesty and compassion. The 50 minute video contains information on: Can Homosexuals Really Change?, Will the Person Become Heterosexual?, How Long Does Change Take?, Exposing the Roots of Homosexuality, HIV and AIDS, Biblical and Scientific Evidence for Change, and much, much more.
This video is an excellent resource for teachers, churches, pastors, support group leaders, or anyone desiring a clear, comprehensive understanding of homosexuality.
The Good News of Jesus Christ and His love, acceptance, and forgiveness, His power to heal and restore has brought hope to many struggling with homosexuality. If you know someone struggling with same-gender attractions Homosexuality and the Reality of Change can help.
Videos are available at a cost of $20.00. To order your video...give us a call today.
We recently received, and watched, the video you sent us. It was excellent. We will be sharing it with other people at our church. One part that especially ministered to us was when Pastor Lee said from Philippians 1:6 that God is never going to give up His job of working in our life to conform us to the image of Christ. It helps makes sense of life's trials. Thank you for your ministry...Tom & Catherine
Preview "Homosexuality and the Reality of Change"
2min 38sec, 1.3MB, QT.mov
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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.
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
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)
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