Welcome to His Way Out Ministries

February 2006 Highlights

Getting Practical By Pastor Phillip Lee

I am convinced that more men and women would find freedom from sexual and relational brokenness if they would stop being told what they want to hear, instead of what they need to know. God is more than able to bring good out of trouble and no matter what the issue may be regarding a person's sexuality, God can heal it!

Too often, I find myself warning men and women against solutions that are more magic than miracle and sow confusion in the hearts of Christians. I have spent too much time trying to pick up the pieces of disillusioned Christians who have unsuccessfully tried some instant cure. Our healing, deliverance and restoration does not come from a method or a program, but through a living Savior whose name is Jesus Christ.

Frankly, I do believe there are times when we over spiritualize things when what really needs to take place is our "taking a practical step." One of the chief obstacles to healing is our obsession with the immediate. The "itch" for the instantaneous pervades much of our Christian thinking. We tend to think that unless a healing is immediate, it is not of God. Maybe you've noticed. We have become impatient with things that take time. Isn't it amazing that people will go to a lot of trouble to learn French, or physics or scuba diving? They have the patience to learn how to operate a car but they won't be bothered learning how to operate themselves. It has been said, "He that would get weeds destroyed must plant the ground with contrary seeds." We cannot walk in God's ways unless He teaches us, but it is deception to ask Him to teach us unless we resolve to obey Him as He instructs us.

With any obsessive or addictive behavior, a person must want to change before permanent healing or restoration can take place. God, indeed, will give us the strength we need, when we need it. But it all revolves around the intimacy that we develop with Him and the diligence and hunger with which we pursue Him.

When we begin to develop an intimate relationship with God, He will begin to speak to us through inner impressions and sometimes through a small still voice that seems to go directly into our heart and mind without the benefit of our ears. Sometimes God will cause us to hear the same message over and over, or even have a number of people come up to us and share the same thing about something that is appropriate to what has recently been on our heart and in our prayers.

It's a given...within the process of healing, restoration and deliverance from any heterosexual sexual addiction or homosexuality, God will no doubt point out certain places, people, and activities that He wants a man or a woman to avoid and eliminate. If pornography has been part of your problem, God will undoubtedly require you to destroy it and not buy any more. But He may also tell you to avoid magazine racks and even avoid driving down streets where they are located. At least until you have become strong enough to resist such temptations and enticements. Don't be surprised if God tells you not to buy certain magazines, even "socially acceptable" ones, like store catalogs, knowing that most of your time is spent gazing at the good looking men and women rather than the clothes.

God may tell you not to rent or view certain videos or even watch television shows (you know...the ones that emphasize your former heartthrobs.) The Lord may tell you to no longer drive in neighborhoods or frequent places where you used to go to stare at the "beautiful people." He may tell you to forget about the gym or the health spa.

This is a truly hard one: God may tell you to give up certain friends...people who He knows will only pull you back into bondage or in some way impede your healing. You must trust God that He knows exactly what He is doing. Take a tip: Always do what God asks you to do. He never asks you to do something that isn't for your good.

Practically speaking, adopt and apply the following:

* Starve the old nature to death! Avoid the people, places and things that God reveals as feeding troughs for your sin nature.

* Frequent men's/women's fellowship groups in addition to regular church services so that you can receive the kind of healthy support, modeling and acceptance that has been missing in your life.

* Find someone with whom you can be accountable.

* Increase the amount of time you spend seeking God in prayer and crying out to Him for help.

"God rewards those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

The greatest danger we all face is our tendency to forge ahead of God to conquer things on our own. That is a big mistake and you and I will probably fall flat on our face, each and every time, if we try it. Save yourself a lot of time, effort and grief. Wait on the Lord to tell you when and how to deal with the various components of your situation. "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it" (Psalm 127:1). Jesus Christ is the only One in this world or any other who will ever be worthy of glory or praise, and for anyone of us to act outside of His direction is a subtle but arrogant challenge to that fact.

From All of Us at His Way Out Ministries...

To each of you who continually bless us by your encouragement, ministry participation, monthly financial support, offerings, and prayers...we remain truly grateful. His Way Out Ministries is proclaiming to, educating, and impacting the world with the biblical truth that freedom from homosexuality is possible when Jesus Christ is Lord of your life.

Prayerfully Yours,

Pastor Phillip Lee

Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

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NARTH Membership

His Way Out Ministries is now a member of NARTH (National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality). With over 1,000 members, NARTH recently completed a very important project - a survey of individuals who have experienced change in sexual orientation and therapists who conduct sexual-orientation therapy. Nearly 1,000 participants have claimed a degree of sexual orientation change and a substantial improvement in life functioning. NARTH is the only professional organization actively fighting for the right of therapists to help homosexuals change. His Way Out Ministries is very proud and honored to be in partnership with NARTH agreeing that reorientation therapy is ethical, and that it can be effective for those who seek it. For more information about NARTH, please visit their web site at: www.narth.com

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A Brief Note from Rev. Steven Yeary, President of HWOM

His Way Out Ministries continues to grow on all fronts. You make it possible for us to bring the healing power of Jesus Christ to the many seeking a way out of homosexuality. Today, confusion about sexuality, homosexuality in particular, is all too common. While some continue to say people are born gay, others say they are not. Thousands of people who were told they were homosexual have found the gay life to be less satisfying. People desire and deserve godly answers to their questions. It is not at all unusual for us to spend 2-3 hours each day email counseling men and women from all over the world that do not have access to an ex-gay ministry or church regarding the complexities of homosexuality. Our web site continues to receive thousands of visits each month. With our home base of operation in Bakersfield, HWOM now has extensions of our ministry in Lancaster, CA and Porterville, CA, and a branch office in Guyana, South America.

To those of you who do support us prayerfully and financially, we continue to thank you. Your generosity continues to enable His Way Out Ministries to reach out to the many thousands of people that it does while greatly encouraging us also. I cannot begin to tell you the number of times that we have been told that HWOM is a life-line, not only to individuals but families and churches as well. Recently, we received the following from a participant in our Time Out discipleship program.

"Thank you so much for being a counselor, teacher, mentor and friend. The Time Out meetings have been a tremendous help to me. His Way Out Ministries has brought me such a great understanding on the issue and I believe that God loves me through all the trials and tribulations."

Will you help us to continue speaking His truth in love and integrity? Information on giving is available at this link.

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Canyon Hills Assembly of God "Teaching Series" Begins in March!

In March, during the Adult Sunday School hour at Canyon Hills Assembly of God in Bakersfield, Pastor Phillip will begin a teaching series on the reality of change from homosexuality and how to reach those bound by homosexuality. Teaching handouts will be provided for each class and the series will take approximately six weeks to complete. Everyone is welcome to attend as we turn our attention to one of the most critical issues the world and the Church faces today. For more information regarding the series, please contact our office at (661) 589-4262.

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In Appreciation...

On behalf of all of us at His Way Out Ministries, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the following churches for inviting HWOM during the month of January to share teaching and testimony.
  • University Baptist Church
  • East Hills Christian Church
  • Grace Assembly of God (Bakersfield, California)

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Coming Up This Month!

February 4th - L.I.F.E. (Living in Fellowship...Even in Tough Times). On Saturday, February 4th during our L.I.F.E. group meeting, we will continue the teaching and group discussion regarding "How should we respond to trauma and crisis?" Homosexuality is always someone else's problem - until it hits home. Therefore, when a crisis occurs, how should we as Christians respond? How do we handle the avalanche of emotions? Who do you say? What do you do?

If you have chosen to leave homosexuality, or you are a spouse, family member of friend of someone struggling with homosexuality, or you would just like to attend and learn about the complexities of homosexuality...this group is for you! L.I.F.E. meets faithfully on the first Saturday of each month from 9am to 11am.

February 7th - HWOM Board of Directors Meeting

February 8th - Canyon Hills Assembly of God (Youth Department) During the evening service, HWOM will be sharing teaching and testimony regarding freedom from homosexuality when Jesus Christ is Lord of your life.

February 11th - "Time Out" A discipleship support group for men struggling with same-gender attraction meets from 9am to 11am. On February 11th, we will continue our series on Discovering Your Spiritual Gift.

February 25th - "Time Out" A discipleship support group for men struggling with same-gender attraction meets from 9am to 11am. On February 25th, we will continue our series on Discovering Your Spiritual Gift. During Time Out, ample time will be provided for sharing life's victories and struggles.

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How You Can Help His Way Out Ministries
  • Ask your pastor to check out this website.

  • Encourage your pastor to consider hosting a seminar or inviting His Way Out Ministries to speak at your church.

  • Ask your church to consider adding His Way Out Ministries to its missions budget.

  • Add His Way Out Ministries to your prayer list.

  • Tell your friends about His Way Out Ministries and encourage them to visit this web site.

  • Give to His Way Out Ministries, either a special one-time gift or on a monthly basis.

  • Show our teaching DVD or Video: "Homosexuality and the Reality of Change" to your Sunday School class.

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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 on VHS or DVD 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.

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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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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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