Welcome to His Way Out Ministries

January 2007 Highlights

"Oh, Those Memories!" By Pastor Phillip Lee

Recently, I was asked, "When will my 'past' stop being my 'present'?" The question caused me to re-examine and ponder some of my own thoughts regarding the past and even how I see myself today.

To be honest, it seems that regardless of how much time has gone by, too often my past does it's best to bring huge amounts of pain - even now, some twenty years down the road of being a Christian and same-gender attraction no longer being an issue. Frankly, it does seem a bit unfair. I suppose to some degree that shouldn't be all that surprising when you still remember clearly words being hurled at you like: fag, queer, sissy, pansy, and gay. Tragically, even today, many men and women struggling with homosexuality or lesbianism continue to be viewed and labeled as the most sinful, and the most despised. Is it any wonder the homosexual community devised a powerful and dramatic paradigm to win public approval and acceptance in doing their utmost to convince the world they were created with an unchangeable sexual orientation?

While memories can be painful, they can also be strangely wonderful. Maybe it's all because a new year has rolled around but I have found myself regularly reflecting on just how gracious God has truly been to me. In some respects, it's as though my eyes opened fully. I know, I know. While I may be a bit slow, I'm still worth waiting for!

Admittedly, there are times when I still find myself riding the emotional roller coaster of being HIV positive. However, I have been challenged to really live life to its fullest, to embrace the wonders of life and the possibilities that God has to offer. To date, I have been places, met people, and done things that most men and women will only dream of doing and experiencing. Yes, I have been up and down the sliding scale of wondering what news or disappointing test results would send me wondering, "Where do we go from here God?" I have known and know the overwhelming love, encouragement and support of friends, family and partners in ministry, had the privilege of witnessing God's restoration and healing power at work in many lives, shared the Gospel and love of God with hundreds and thousands of people through the power of my testimony and teaching, seen the establishment of ex-gay ministry in Guyana, South America, and have every need met in my life. Not too bad for someone who thought his life was over fourteen years ago when he was diagnosed with HIV. Yes, God has been good to me and it really has been through the tests and trials of life that God has refined and brought healing and closure to much of my past. Yes, would I, like so many others, like to "go back" and have a second chance at doing some things over? You bet 'cha! While that is not at all possible, I have found that some memories do at least fade with time. Also, a person can hasten their demise by choosing not to dwell on them or seeking avenues to reinforce them.

The lies of our past must be replaced with the truth of God's Word. It's not just the reading of God's Word but the application that enables a man or woman to discover the reality of God's love for us as individuals and His desire to forgive us for all sin - including homosexual thoughts and actions. The wonderful truth's contained in the Bible, when acted upon daily in our lives, can and will profoundly change the way we see our past and serve as a compass for our future.

Trust me; there was a time when my entire identity was wrapped up in homosexuality. However, when I became a Christian some twenty years ago, I found that my true identity would never be found by looking backward to my past or towards my sexuality. Past events, regardless of how many or to any degree, do not have to control us forever. Although the process of healing from the past may take much time and effort, it is entirely possible to find inner release and freedom.

I never thought I would be free from some of the haunting memories of my past. While I can still recall certain events, in many respects it's as though they happened to someone else. I thank God I am free from the power of my past; my past no longer controls my life. With God's help, that kind of freedom remains available today to any man or woman.

God desires that we all live free from the harmful effects of our past. Free to love and serve Him with purpose and full of hope, joy and expectation for the future. "What would have become of me had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord." Psalm 27:13-14 (Amplified)

Memories? Yes! However, I choose to view them as a steppingstone rather than a stumbling block. Right now, the view from where I sit looks pretty dog-gone good!

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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A Journey to Sexual and Relational Wholeness

Men's Discipleship Series Begins March 10, 2007

God never has nor will He ever create a man or woman to be homosexual. A struggle with same-gender attraction is the result of many factors, which ultimately culminate in combating a distorted self-image. On Saturday, March 10, 2007, we will set out by faith to take back our true identities in Christ as His sons. The foundation of who we are, that ground, then becomes a solid place for us to build for our futures - a future that reflects Christ's intent for our lives.

A Journey to Sexual and Relational Wholeness includes such subjects as: What Does Healing Look Like?, Boundaries, Disclosure, Dealing With Failure, Emotional Dependency, Addiction, Pornography, and much, much more! Each topic is intended to challenge men to grow beyond their own limitations and find the strength found in Christ. Many men have experienced the benefits of this series and are now walking in freedom from addictions, self-hatred, self-centeredness and gender confusion. There is no fee for the series, however, registration is required and may be completed by calling the His Way Out Ministries office - (661) 589-4262. The series beginning in March will ultimately conclude on December 22, 2007.

All of us at His Way Out Ministries invite you to join with others who have gone before you, to experience the life-giving power of the love of Christ. Journey with us as we seek to be His disciples.

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Argument/Answer

Argument: People are born gay!

Answer: To date, there is still no evidence that genetic or hormonal factors play any role in the development of homosexuality. Even if a biological causative factor were one day identified, the conclusions of the pro-gay position would not follow. For two very important reasons: (1) The biblical prohibition of homosexual behavior of any kind would still be in place. The homosexual would simply be in the position of any unmarried person with regard to sexual expression. (2) The possibility of a change in sexual attractions would be just as realistic as it is now.

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Continuing to Spread the Good News in Guyana!

On January 31st, Pastor Phillip Lee will be departing for Guyana, South America. This particular trip will be packed with numerous teaching opportunities with each and every opportunity centered on the biblical truth that "Freedom from homosexuality is indeed possible when Jesus Christ is Lord of your life!" By invitation of Pastor Marlon Hestick, President of the Wesleyan Bible University in Georgetown, Guyana, the capital of Guyana, Pastor Phillip has once again been invited to facilitate a teaching series for bible students, pastors and Christian leaders on freedom from homosexuality. This is an incredible opportunity for which His Way Out Ministries is truly grateful as fifteen different denominations send their leaders and students for training to the university. It was just last July 2006 that His Way Out Ministries had the wonderful opportunity to share testimony and teach at the Wesleyan Bible University with the teaching module being extremely well received. In November 2006, many bible students graduated opening the door for new bible students to enroll and requesting Homosexuality and the Reality of Change and There's Something I Need to Tell You! (What Do You Say/Do When a Loved One Confesses They Are Homosexual) be offered at the university once again.

World Harvest Missions, directed by Pastors Lucius and Esther Bruyning, have scheduled a one-day teaching and educational conference in a community called New Amsterdam for pastors, Christian leaders and bible students of all denominations to be held on Saturday, February 3, 2007. The conference titled "A Christian Response to Homosexuality" will include such topics as: Can Homosexuals Really Change?, How Long Does Change Take?, Will the Person Become Heterosexual?, Answering Pro-Gay Arguments, and much more. This is the third time World Harvest Missions has taken the lead and been very instrumental in inviting and enabling His Way Out Ministries to raise awareness, educate and encourage the Body of Christ in Guyana to minister to those struggling with same-gender attraction.

While Pastor Phillip is in New Amsterdam, time will be spent visiting the children of Alpha Covenant Children's Home, a home for children impacted by HIV/AIDS. Recently, His Way Out Ministries and World Harvest Missions partnered together to open the first children's home in New Amsterdam for children struggling with the effects of HIVAIDS. Many of the children at Alpha Covenant Children's Home have been abandoned by their families or shunned by society.

For quite some time now, His Way Out Ministries has partnered with Operation Restoration, a local Guyanese ministry dedicated to teaching the values and biblical principles of abstinence and sexual purity. During Pastor Phillip's trip to Guyana, several morning sessions have been scheduled to train Christian leaders on How to Facilitate Support Groups for men and women struggling with same-gender attraction and model support group facilitation as well.

Please look for a full report of Pastor Phillip's journey to Guyana in an upcoming newsletter. Your prayers for our continued outreach in Guyana would be greatly appreciated.

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Coming Up This Month!

January 6th - L.I.F.E. (Living in Fellowship...Even in Tough Times).
On Saturday, January 6th, our teaching focus will be Is There a Way Out? God is the only one who can bring about change in the homosexual. He will do this by creating faith within the person that He does desire to heal. Through obedience in walking away from the old lifestyle and identity and building a new lifestyle and identity, men and women experience healing.

If you have chosen to leave homosexuality, or you are a spouse, family member or 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.

January 20th
His Way Out Ministries "Advisory Board" Meeting.

January 27th - Men's Fellowship Breakfast - 9am to 11am.
Past, present our future "Time Out" Discipleship Support Group Series Men, please consider yourself invited for a relaxed time of fellowship and breakfast. Our time together is offered as a prelude to the new "Time Out" Discipleship Series beginning March 10, 2007.

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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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