Welcome to His Way Out Ministries

May 2007 Highlights

Just Below the Surface By Pastor Phillip Lee

Have you ever noticed how good many people are at masking crisis, trauma, fear, anxiety and "where is this thing called life going?" No matter how we might present ourselves, often, very often, buried just below the surface is an overwhelming sense that something isn't quite right or outright wrong. We become uncomfortable when someone puts us on the spot, we purpose to play things safe especially when something arises that we just don't understand, we talk about "those things" that tend to make us look really good, we offer the illusion that we are more spiritual than we really are, we avoid people and topics that tend to place us in uncomfortable surroundings and potentially bring unwanted and difficult emotions to the surface.

Scratch just below the surface and it only takes a split second to realize that regardless of just how much we have changed, we still have a very long way to go. Each and every one of us know things about ourselves that no one would ever guess happened or is presently going on. Things we have done behind closed doors, fantasies, considerations, thoughts, secrets that only God Himself knows. The sometimes overwhelming reality that something is wrong can be utterly consuming.

Oh, we are most definitely purposed to be and do better. However, the "one step forward and two steps back" seems to surface all too often. Tragically, the scenario brings huge amounts of shame, a desire to withdraw and isolate, to hide. We don't want to run the risk of being rejected one more time.

How well I remember when I was just a little guy, my stepfather taking me to a horror flick that so frightened and impacted my life, that I became convinced that the boogie-man had moved into our house and had set up residence directly under my bed. Admittedly, my fears were unfounded but they were also genuine. There was no boogie-man but there was definitely something wrong. Unlike the boogie-man, life's problems are real.

Have you ever spent a vast amount of time and energy pretending things are much better than they really are? When the world comes crashing through and reality hits we are often inclined to do whatever is necessary to regain a sense of well-being. Eat something sweet, join the church choir, read a book, surrender our life (again) to God - anything to relieve that nagging sense that something isn't quite right.

Frankly, when we fall into the trap of projecting "everything is all well," we prohibit ourself from facing everything that's going on inside. It's as though we enable a roadblock which ultimately lessens our capability to change what we do on the outside in any meaningful and lasting way. The end result is we compartmentalize and rearrange "the stuff" rather than change, and in so doing, we frustrate the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and we never become the transformed person God calls us to be.

To be sure, change of any kind or to any degree is a co-operative venture between us and God. The pathway to resolving deep wounds, addictive lifestyles, compulsive behavior, hurts of the past, is often marked by a daily surrender to the sovereignty of God and remembering that He is God and we are not.

Change as our Lord describes it involves much more than just cleaning up our visible act. Isn't it amazing how we can become so fixed and persuaded that if everything is looking good on the outside then the same must be true of what is going on within? God intends on each and every one of us doing much more than just spray washing the exterior. He takes us deep within to the nooks, crannies, and fathomless craters of our soul to experience His presence when we feel most alone and void of hope. The backside of the desert is often where God perfects His promises and enables us to face reality as it truly is which includes our hurts, fears, resentments and address certain motives that we often keep hidden so that we can emerge as changed people. Certainly, not perfect, but... more able to deeply and genuinely love other people as well as ourselves because we are more aware of His love.

Yes, indeed, life is trying, demanding, at times overwhelming, relationships too difficult, and responsibilities too difficult for any of us to just do what is expected of us and deny that we have problems and troubles. While I am a bit cautious of constant personal introspection, some understanding of what is happening and going on in the inside will often help us to see what changes need to occur on the inside in order to effectively and genuinely impact external changes.

Personally, I have found that my truly knowing God often occurs most when the winds of adversity are blowing and reality is confusing. Not being willing to weather the storms of life and ask myself the hard questions and face the hard issues all but dismisses intimate, wonderful transforming encounters with God. Ultimately, that which lies just beneath the surface and the sense that something isn't quite right becomes yet another opportunity for me and the Holy Spirit to deal honestly with "the stuff" and develop faith, hope, love and an awareness that I need to develop a trusting awareness of Christ Jesus more than ever.

Yes, the "recovery road" is often marked by numerous twists and turns and while just below the surface may be a sense that I have much more surrendering, relinquishing, and obeying to accomplish, deeper yet is the awareness, knowing and comfort that God will never keep His distance from me. I know what it is to catch a glimpse of the reality of God that often overwhelms me with His goodness, His majesty, His love. It is during those times that I become acutely aware that I am deeply, purely and profoundly loved by God the Father. That knowing - runs much, much deeper than just below the surface.

"My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26

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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Confronting Pro-Gay Theology: A Balance of Truth and Grace - Teaching Series

Have you ever wondered how gays attempt to get around the many passages in the Bible that condemn homosexual conduct as sin? Many have become incredibly sophisticated in the unholy art of sidestepping the Authority of Scripture and the Lordship of Christ regarding the practice of homosexuality. How many children are there in homes today, including Christian homes, who just might some day fear what the Bible has to say about homosexuality that they are willing to rewrite it, in order to get some misguided sense of God's acceptance?

During our L.I.F.E. Group meetings, which meet faithfully on the first Saturday of each month from 9am to 11am, a series titled Confronting Pro-Gay Theology: A Balance of Truth and Grace offers teaching and group discussion on some of the following subjects:

Reaching vs. Telling! focuses on the Church's role of not just "telling" a person homosexuality is wrong but "reaches" to the individual with the care, love and compassion of ministry in Christ's Name to help them resolve the issue of same-gender attraction. If all we do as The Church is just "tell," we run the risk of looking like a Christian community that is trying to do nothing more than win an argument.

How the Gay Christian Movement Began offers an explanation of just how much gay-rights and the gay Christian movement are so similar. Clearly, pro-gay theology attempts to blame or label conservative Christian teaching regarding homosexual practice as wrong, misguided and homophobic. With the subject matter of homosexuality being one of the most emotional and critical issues the world and the Church faces today, our willingness to educate ourselves and live up to the standards clearly defined in Scripture regarding sexual behavior will greatly impact and determine how we address and confront the gay Christian movement.

Other subjects included in the series are: Pro-Gay Arguments, The Bible and Homosexuality, A Right Way and a Wrong Way to Confront, and much more. Today, like never before, the Church is being challenged to remember the words of Christ regarding reaching the sexually broken - "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). To be honest and truthful and tempered with grace can be quite challenging but not impossible.

Please join us on the first Saturday of each month for L.I.F.E. and take advantage of a series we believe will both enlighten and equip you to be more effective in ministering to men and women struggling with same-gender attraction.

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Exodus Freedom Conference Concordia University - Irvine, CA June 26 - July 1, 2007

The Freedom Conference offers hope, encouragement, answers and support to: Men, Women and Students who personally struggle with same-gender attraction, Parents, Spouses, other Family Members and Friends impacted by homosexuality. The conference also offers training for Pastors, Student Leaders, Church Leaders, Counselors and Educators to be more effective in ministering to those struggling with or affected by homosexuality, and reaching the gay community with God's grace and truth. For more information on the conference or to register on-line, please visit: Revolution: Exodus Freedom Conference.

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Are You a Wife Who's Marriage Has Been Impacted by Homosexuality?

Every marriage will have times of stress and conflict but an issue of homosexuality is normally never even considered to occur within a marriage. While homosexuality in a marriage certainly produces a crisis, it may be that with the "secret" becoming known, the marriage has opportunity to survive. If homosexuality has impacted your marriage and you are in need of a safe environment enabling frank conversation companied with biblical guidance, please consider joining us for our L.I.F.E. Group on the first Saturday of each month beginning at 9am.

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Coming Up This Month!

May 2nd - Bakersfield Christian High School - Pastor Phillip has been invited by Principal Dave Meek to spend the day with faculty and students addressing such topics as: Are men and women born gay?, What about the biblical and scientific evidence for change?, What does the Bible have to say about homosexuality?

May 5th - L.I.F.E. (Living in Fellowship...Even in Tough Times) - On Saturday, May 5th, we will continue our teaching series Confronting Pro-Gay Theology: A Balance of Truth and Grace (Reaching vs Telling!) As a Christian community, if all we do is "tell" individuals that homosexuality is a sin without also offering ministry to help them resolve homosexuality; don't we run the risk of looking like a community that is doing nothing more than just trying to win an argument? If you have chosen to leave homosexuality, or you are a spouse, family member or friend of someone struggling with homosexuality...this group is for you! L.I.F.E. meets faithfully on the first Saturday of each month from 9am to 11am.

May 7th - Desert Christian School, Lancaster, CA - His Way Out Ministries will be conducting a training/educational seminar for the faculty and administrators of Desert Christian Schools in Lancaster. By invitation of Executive Director Cecil Swetland, HWOM is very honored and grateful for the opportunity to equip teachers and offer practical tools to help in reaching those struggling with same-gender attraction.

May 8th - Valley Baptist Church, Bakersfield, CA - Pastor Phillip has been invited to attend the staff meeting at Valley Baptist Church and offer a presentation on the ministry services of His Way Out Ministries and take questions from the pastoral staff on the complexities of homosexuality.

May 12th - TIME OUT Men's Discipleship Support Group - On Saturday, May 12th, we will turn our attention to Emotional Dependency. We will look at why we struggle with emotional neediness, what the legitimate needs are behind our wrong attempts at meeting them, and the idols we've created to take God's rightful place. Time Out meets from 9am to 11am.

May 19th - His Way Out Ministries "Advisory Board Meeting"

May 26th - TIME OUT Men's Discipleship Support Group - Levels of Relationship will be our subject focus. We will look at what it means to have a best friend, friendship as Jesus defined it between Himself and His disciples, and Christ's overall model of relating. Time Out meets from 9am to 11am.

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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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