Welcome to His Way Out Ministries

September 2006 Highlights

A Christian Response to Homosexuality In Guyana, South America By Pastor Phillip Lee

Recently, myself and three members of the His Way Out Ministries Advisory Board, Ginny Mitchell, Donna Castello and Louis Steers, journeyed to Guyana, South America to share the good news that freedom from homosexuality is possible when Jesus Christ is Lord of your life. This particular journey was by no means the first trip for HWOM (His Way Out Ministries) to Guyana. Since 1999, HWOM has made numerous trips to Guyana conducting training seminars, conferences, developing friendships and ministry partnerships with each and every trip founded on the vision and hope of eventually establishing ex-gay ministry in Guyana.

Although Guyana is on the northern shoulder of South America, it is more culturally associated with the Caribbean than Latin America. With nearly 90% of its population made up of African and Indian ethnic groups, it is more closely related to Caribbean countries like Trinidad and Tobago than its Latin American neighbors Venezuela and Brazil. In addition, Guyana, as a former colony of the United Kingdom, is an English-speaking country.

Just last year, during a HWOM missionary trip to Guyana, God orchestrated a brief but divinely appointed meeting that ultimately enabled a ministry partnership between HWOM and Operation Restoration, a local Guyanese Christian ministry dedicated to educating youth about the values of abstinence and sexual purity. As a result of the ministry partnership between HWOM and OR (Operation Restoration), several seminars, conferences and leadership training events have been conducted in Guyana with each and every event focusing on freedom from homosexuality.

The day after our arrival in Guyana, HWOM facilitated a two-day conference largely for the leadership of OR with particular emphasis on equipping conference participants on the complexities of homosexuality and providing practical tools enabling effective ministry to those struggling with same-gender attraction. Immediately following the OR Conference, HWOM had the wonderful privilege and honor of conducting a five-night teaching series at the Wesleyan Bible University in Georgetown, the capital of Guyana. The invitation to teach at the Wesleyan Bible University was extended by Pastor Marlon Hestick, President of the Wesleyan Bible University and opened the door for HWOM to be the very first foreign ministry, church or Christian organization to have ever been invited to teach at the university. We were both humbled and honored by the invitation.

Numerous bible students, pastors and individuals interesting in learning about ministry to those struggling with same-gender attraction attended the series with various denominations being represented. Ginny, Donna and Louis each had opportunity to share their personal testimonies of how homosexuality had impacted their lives. It was truly remarkable to hear just how much their testimonies impacted those in attendance. Series participants made a point of expressing their appreciation about hearing how our God remains a God of mercy, healing and transformation. The final session which largely was dedicated to questions and answers, produced very engaging discussions and an admittance that it is the Church's responsibility and privilege to reach those struggling with homosexuality, not only in Guyana but worldwide.

We ultimately made our way to a community called New Amsterdam. Last January, HWOM had the wonderful privilege of opening and dedicating the very first children's home in Guyana for children impacted by HIV/AIDS. In ministry partnership with World Harvest Missions, the children's home opened last January has already become far too small to accommodate the overwhelming need of children abandoned by their families or parents having passed away due to AIDS. The children's home called Alpha Covenant Home is currently being operated entirely by faith and is in critical need of some of the basic necessities of life. I recall one little girl who was not quite four years old as yet and her little brother who is around one year old, had just very recently come to the home. They both had been living with their grandparents, both of which were unable to move about, even within the home. As a result, the little girl would wake up each morning and immediately begin to make every bed in the house, sweep all the floors in the house, and then begin to prepare breakfast for her grandparents and her little brother. Once again, this is a little girl not yet four years old. World Harvest Missions became aware of the two little ones, both HIV positive, and offered Alpha Covenant Home for them to really experience being a child and to receive the badly needed medical treatments for their HIV positive status. The two children are doing well and are greatly enjoying the company of the other children in the home and the opportunity to just be a child.

Unfortunately, just as is the case of other Caribbean nations, HIV/AIDS is a growing problem in Guyana. According to the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, approximately 3-7% of the population has been infected. This is the second highest prevalence rate in the Western Hemisphere next to Haiti.

Over the many years of ministry in Guyana, HWOM has developed numerous relationships with Guyanese Christians in various areas of the country. Two areas, Mahaica and Stewartville have embraced the teachings of HWOM and an open-door policy remains to this day to return and share the teachings of Christ on freedom from homosexuality and spread the Good News of the Gospel throughout each village community. Sadly, even the rural farm areas of Guyana are not exempt from both men and women struggling with homosexuality. Traveling within Guyana can at best be extremely difficult due to transportation issues; therefore HWOM has the opportunity to eventually plant extensions of our ministry in the outlying areas of Georgetown making the opportunity for those struggling with same-gender attraction to have easier access to counseling and support groups.

On the average, HWOM travels to Guyana three to four times each year. With a strong, solid foundation laid for ex-gay ministry in Guyana, we still have much to accomplish and certainly the need to minister and meet the basic needs of life for children impacted by HIV/AIDS in Guyana is critical.

Check out the photo collage of our recent trip. As the saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words and most definitely says it all." Your prayers for our continued outreach and ministry in Guyana would be greatly appreciated. Should the Lord lead you to send an offering specifically for our outreach in Guyana, please make your check payable to HWOM and note "Guyana" in the memo section. May God richly bless you!

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

Return To Highlights

Love Won Out Conference, Saturday September 23, 2006

Focus on the Family's Love Won Out conference is coming to Southwest Community Church in Palm Springs, CA on Saturday, September 23, 2006. Love Won Out exists to empower you to compassionately respond to the often misunderstood issue of homosexuality in our culture. To register, call 1-800-A-FAMILY or register online at LoveWonOut.com.

Return To Highlights

Guyana, South America Missions Yard Sale Saturday, October 21, 2006 - 7am to Noon

We would truly appreciate any and all donations to make our fund-raiser a success. All proceeds from our Missions Yard Sale will enable our continued teachings, evangelism, and outreach in Guyana, South America. It's not too early to start donating. Designated cash donations are also welcomed. Please make your check payable to HWOM and note "Guyana" in the memo section. All donations are tax deductible.

Return To Highlights

Prayer Requests

  • Please pray for the Alpha Covenant Children's Home in Guyana. The home opened last January, is already far too small. A much larger home is needed to accommodate the need for children impacted by HIV/AIDS.

  • Please pray for a backup generator for the Alpha Covenant Children's Home. Due to the frequent blackouts in Guyana, a backup generator is needed for security purposes and to keep necessary medications refrigerated for the children.

  • Please pray for support group leaders in Guyana. Individuals are needed to facilitate support groups for men and women desiring to leave homosexuality and lesbianism.

  • Please pray for HWOM finances. HWOM is ministering more and reaching out more than ever. However, this summer is proving to be a challenge for us financially.

  • Please pray for the many individuals and families that are presently connected with HWOM, whose lives have been impacted by homosexuality.

Return To Highlights

Argument/Answer

Argument: "The Bible is a good book, but it has been used to justify bigotry and certainly to clobber gays."

Answer: "Yes, the church has made mistakes. However, there is a clear and substantial difference between taking a moral stand on an issue and calling for the mistreatment of people that you disagree with."

Return To Highlights

Coming Up This Month!

September 2nd - L.I.F.E. (Living in Fellowship...Even in Tough Times). On Saturday, August 5th, we will begin a new teaching and discussion series designed to help families, spouses, friends, co-workers, siblings, etc. understand and face the complexity of emotions, actions and questions that everyone has upon learning of a loved one's homosexuality. Picking up the pieces of life after disturbing news is a difficult task. This series will help anyone face the reality of what has happened, let go of the person just at a time when we feel we need to hang on harder, accept responsibility for our own actions as they relate to the situation, and grow spiritually through it all. L.I.F.E. meets faithfully on the first Saturday of each month from 9am to 11am. Teaching handouts will be provided.

September 9th - "TIME OUT" - A discipleship support group for men struggling with same-gender attraction meets from 9am to 11am. On Saturday, September 9th, we will turn our attention to New Life in Christ. We are called to die to our old nature. In order to know newness of life, we must intentionally put to death our sinful natures. God calls us to not just manage our problems, but to surrender them to Him.

September 17th - Brimhall Road Assembly of God Church, 10700 Brimhall Road, Bakersfield, CA. During both Sunday morning worship services at 8:45am and 10:45am, Pastor Phillip will be sharing details about our ministry in Guyana, South America and a message about freedom from sexual and relational brokenness.

September 23rd - "TIME OUT" - A discipleship support group for men struggling with same-gender attraction meets from 9am to 11am. On Saturday, September 23rd, we will discuss The Battle for Our Souls. God empowers us through His indwelling Spirit to live a victorious life. In our own strength, we are unable to fulfill God's desires. He has given us the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and comfort us.

October 17th - HWOM Board of Directors Meeting

Return To Highlights

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.

Return To Highlights

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

Return To Highlights

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.

Return To Highlights

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

Return To Highlights

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

Return To Highlights

His Way Out Home | Our Mission, Our Position... | I'm Coming Out | Understanding Homosexuality | AIDS Education Guide | Support Groups | Workshops | Recommended Reading | Guyanese Ministry | Testimonies | Newsletter Archive

Web Site Administration