Welcome to His Way Out Ministries

May 2006 Highlights

Preparing For Battle By Michael Ross

Good news! God is moving mightily in our community. In the past few months more and more men and women, including youth, have found their way to His Way Out Ministries seeking information and help regarding same-gender attraction. Our support groups are growing at a rapid pace and we are considering the possibility of adding additional support groups so the needs of individuals can be met.

In the past few months, and really on a daily basis, we receive phone calls or emails from individuals dealing with the issue of same-gender attraction. The individuals are calling for themselves or for a loved one whom they know are struggling with homosexuality.

At this very moment the enemy is raging a war against our families and the Church. Knowing that our sexuality is a potent part of who each of us are, he knows where to attack and when to attack endeavoring to push the Church off course. In the early 1980's when the HIV epidemic surfaced, instead of much of the Church running to individuals who were infected by this horrible disease, many ran the opposite direction making way for other religions, other than Christianity, to be the ones "reaching" out to them. I believe that was a huge blunder and to a large extent, the Church owes the homosexual community an apology.

Today, with the issue of same-sex marriage, same-sex adoption, and the acceptance of homosexuality by certain denominations throughout the Body of Christ, the enemy will try anything to destroy the Church. Where better to attack than the family unit? He knows if he can destroy the family unit then the Church will be weak and ultimately fall. We see families and Church denominations being torn apart, piece by piece, by homosexuality and numerous related issues. As the Church, we need to stand and proclaim the Word of God to all individuals regardless of what penalty society may put on us. We are never told in Scripture that standing up for the Word of God would be easy. Indeed, we are told that the world would hate us in taking a stand for Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:22).

If anything, it's not time for the Church to run away from any critical issue it faces. Instead, it is time for the Church to stand and put on the full armor of God and enter battle (Ephesians 6:11). I am not talking about a political battle. The battle will not be won in Washington D.C. I am talking about a spiritual battle. A battle where the Church kneels and repents to God for our wicked ways and seeks His righteousness and holiness. Yes, I am talking about a spiritual battle the likes of which has never been seen before in our lifetime.

No one in history has ever entered in to battle without knowing the cause for war and the enemy they would be fighting. We know that our enemy is Satan. But, do we know the cause for the battle? We know homosexuality is wrong because God clearly condemns it in Scripture (1 Corinthians 6:9). The Church has had the condemning part down for years and clearly, condemnation has not been effective in winning men and women in the homosexual community. If anything it has pushed them further away from God. Saying homosexuality is wrong as a cause is not enough. Our cause needs to be seeing individuals struggling with homosexuality restored back into fellowship with God. When they are restored back to God then God will, in His timing, begin to work in their lives to bring them back to a place of wholeness that He has always intended for their lives (Titus 3:7).

As a Christian, there are three things we need to do to prepare for battle. First, we need to turn to God and repent for our own personal wicked ways and ask Him to remove anything in our lives that is not of Him. Secondly, we need to ask for the protection and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Thirdly, we need to educate ourselves on the behavior and issues of homosexuality. When we are educated then we have a better understanding of what we are fighting for and against. When we have repented, asked for guidance and protection from the Holy Spirit, and educated ourselves on homosexuality, we then begin to combat the enemy with and in prayer. When we begin to pray, heaven will be opened up and an army of angels will come to fight the battle for us. Then and only then will the enemy begin to lose ground. Individuals will begin to be delivered from homosexuality, the family unit will be restored, and churches that have pulled away to accept homosexuality as normal will repent and return to teaching the uncompromised Word of God.

All of us at His Way Out Ministries remain excited about what God is doing in the lives of men and women, young adults, and our community at large. We know the battle has just begun in many respects, but we look forward to the day that we will stand in awe of our Lord Jesus Christ and shout "VICTORY!" (Philippians 1:28).

In Closing...

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.

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Notes of Encouragement...

Thank you, thank you, His Way Out Ministries, for the message of hope and freedom you brought to us at Vanguard University, all covered in the Lordship of Christ. You have not only brought us Christ's message in word, but with your life as well. May His favor, blessing, and provision continue to rest upon you and your ministry. Pastors Mike and Kriste DeVito, Campus Pastors - Vanguard University, Costa Mesa, CA.

I am blessed to see what God is doing through His Way Out Ministries in Guyana, South America. Be encouraged that this is your season for ministry in Guyana and I am convinced that God will fulfill the desires of your hearts because of your love for our nation. Your labor and sacrifices to Guyana have not been in vain. Pastor David Smith-Persaud - Stewartivlle, Guyana, South America.

I can't thank you enough for the impact you have had on our campus. I truly believe that God used you to work in souls of young people whose testimony we may never hear - but knowing God is doing a work. Pastor Carlos Fernandez, Pastor of Worship - Vanguard University, Costa Mesa, CA.

I wanted you to know just how much I look forward to the His Way Out Ministries newsletter each month because of your articles. You never disappoint! Thanks for the time you put into them. Rev. Pete Baker - Fairfax Assembly of God, Bakersfield, CA.

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Living Word Fellowship Church Training Seminar

Porterville, CA - Saturday, May 20, 2006

On Saturday, May 20th beginning at 8am, Living Word Fellowship will be hosting a His Way Out Ministries educational seminar titled "Homosexuality and the Reality of Change." By teaching, testimony and video presentation, some of the subject areas that will be presented are:

Biblical and Scientific Evidence for Change, Exposing the Roots of Homosexuality, How Should We As Christians Respond to Homosexuality?, Recovery is a Process, and much more. The seminar will conclude at 12:30pm and there is no fee for attendance. For more information about the seminar, please contact: Living Word Fellowship at (559) 781-0922.

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Answering Pro-Gay Theology

Since the 1950's, an increasing number of churches and denominations have begun embracing a different interpretation of the Scriptures on homosexuality. We want to present brief responses to some of the most common biblical and theological arguments heard in pro-gay religious groups. (The pro-gay arguments are stated in italics).

Leviticus 18:22 "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable."

"Christians are no longer under the Old Testament law." Jesus Christ said he came to fulfill the law - not abolish it. "Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:19).

Romans 1:24-27 "Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised, Amen."

"The Apostle Paul's statements are 'culturally bound.' They are addressed to first-century Jews; they don't apply to us today." Under this reasoning, we can toss out the entire Bible. This argument implies that God's standards change from era to era. But here is what the Biblical writers said: "The word of our God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8) and "All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal" (Psalm 119:160).

"Paul didn't understand the complexities of homosexuality as we do today. He never condemned permanent, loving homosexual relationships, just homosexual lust and promiscuity." Paul lived in a complex society, similar to our own in many ways. "New Testament authors could not have been ignorant of something so common as homosexuality in the Greco-Roman world," says Dr. J. Harold Greenlee, former professor of New Testament Greek at Asbury Theological Seminary. William Barclay, a well-known New Testament scholar, says that, although homosexuality permeated Greek society, "it was regarded as abnormal, and it was never legal." Paul could have easily drawn a distinction between various forms of homosexuality if appropriate, but he condemned all homosexual behavior, with no exceptions.

The Bible never speaks positively about homosexuality or any other sexual practices outside a lifelong heterosexual monogamous commitment. Difficult as this standard is to obey for some; it is the calling of Christ for all His followers, including those with same-sex attractions and desires.

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Coming Up This Month!

May 6th - L.I.F.E. (Living in Fellowship...Even in Tough Times). L.I.F.E. meets faithfully on the first Saturday of each month from 9am to 11am. Teaching materials are provided and all participants leave with a working knowledge of how to reach those bound by homosexuality and a greater understanding of the complexities of the homosexual behavior.

On Saturday, May 6th, we will be continuing our series titled Facing Crisis and Trauma as a Christian. If you have chosen to leave homosexuality, or you are a spouse, family member or friend of someone struggling with homosexuality, or you just want to learn...this group is for you!

May 9th - His Way Out Ministries Board of Directors Meeting

May 13th - Time Out A discipleship support group which meets from 9am to 11am is available to men struggling with same-gender attraction.

Guyana, South America Missionary Team Meeting

May 20th - Living Word Fellowship Church Training Seminar - Porterville, CA.

May 27th - Time Out A discipleship support group which meets from 9am to 11am is available to men struggling with same-gender attraction.

May 29th - Memorial Day His Way Out Ministries Office Closed

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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)

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