Welcome to His Way Out Ministries

August 2008 Highlights

Same-Gender Marriage in California
(Items for Reasonable Consideration)
By Rev. Pete Baker

Implementation of the recent court ruling on same-gender marriage was so uncharacteristically swift that little time was given to public discussion of key issues. Because of the rapid implementation we have too quickly entered into a season of name calling, misinformation and acrimony. As a cultural issue, marriage and altering our understanding of it is too important to have it decided in such an atmosphere. The abruptness of the court ruling leaves the following issues largely unaddressed.

1. According to proponents of same-gender marriage, full marital recognition is essential in validating the homosexual couples' own experience. While the primary focus has been on the rights of homosexuals, this issue has not been addressed: If marriage is to become solely a matter of contract law between any two consenting adults, what legal limits can be placed on marriage? With same-gender marriage, a key restriction has been removed - one partner must be male and one female. If right to privacy, due process and equal access are the bases for accepting same-gender marriage, what logical reason can be given for other existing restrictions?

a) On what basis can a child be denied entry into the contract?
b) If all consenting adults claim that recognition of a group marriage is essential to validate their particular experience, on what basis can the contract be limited to only 2 parties?


If the basis for limiting marriage to one man and one woman is removed, on what logical or legal basis can any restrictions be recognized? If the remaining basis is simply "we think it is best for children or society" the restrictions will certainly be challenged as has the one man, one woman restriction.

2. The clear will of the people expressed by popular vote on a legal proposition was ignored by judicial fiat. This is clearly not in our democratic tradition. The constitutionally guaranteed balance of power is sabotaged when courts enter into the legislation process. Courts may insure the fairness and legality of elections and referendums. They are not constitutionally directed to make law or disenfranchise voters.

3. Adequate public debate on the issue has not taken place. Judicial tyranny by a handful of judges has squashed a process that, for most citizens, has hardly begun. If the marriage laws of the state were so egregious and unfair, those same judges, upon recognizing the unfairness, could have sponsored a proposition for the citizen's consideration.

4. No regard has been given for the massive complications California's action will cause those states not recognizing same-gender marriages. Many non-Californians will be issued a California marriage license. Certainly non-California homosexual couples will challenge their home states for legal recognition of their marriage performed in California. The problems will work in two directions. Those states who have not yet adopted a marriage protection act will be forced to recognize and issue licenses without the consideration of their citizens. Law will be created by decree and not by the ballot box. In states that have adopted marriage protection measures, homosexual citizens holding a California license will be disenfranchised. Their license is valueless. In those same states, a challenge resulting in recognition of same-gender marriage will disenfranchise citizens who supported marriage protection, and they will have been disenfranchised by the courts of California.

5. Among the various states there is nothing approaching unanimity on the issue of same gender marriage. New York's highest Court of Appeals has ruled 4-2 against same- gender marriage, saying that denial does not violate constitutional guarantees of equal protection and due process. The court further stated that the ban was not irrational nor based on prejudice toward or ignorance of homosexuals. Georgia's Supreme Court supported a lower court ruling that a state referendum banning same gender unions is not a violation of law.

6. Some proponents of same-gender marriage point to an increased revenue stream for California. If the California ruling stands and other states recognize same gender marriage, that revenue stream will become a trickle. There will be no need for homosexuals to travel to California for a legal marriage. Until the matter is settled, this should not be used as an argument since any benefits from increased commerce or taxes will be short lived. Additionally, such a large issue is clearly capable of producing some massive cultural shifts and should not be considered simply because it may be a money maker for florists, bakers and rental stores or bring dollars into the state treasury.

These points beg to be addressed without the usual rancor that attends most divisive issues. Opponents and proponents agree that same gender marriage will have massive social and historical implications. It is too important to be settled by pressure groups, protestors and simple slogans, and the questions raised here are too vital to go unanswered.

Rev. Pete Baker

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

Growing Pains!

His Way Out Ministries is blessed to be a part of God's answer for adult men and women and teenagers struggling with same-gender attraction, and to families looking for hope and encouragement as they walk an emotional path of healing and understanding. Your trust in our counsel and care means a great deal to all of us.

May we ask for your kind consideration of a need? As HWOM continues to expand its ministry offerings to meet the needs of a growing list of people seeking counsel and hope, the administrative needs of HWOM continue to grow with ever-increasing requests for ministry. HWOM is underwritten by the gifts of love and monthly support of individuals and partner churches. If HWOM is not written into your personal or church missionary budget - would you kindly consider doing so from this point forward? Only eternity will show the effect of such commitment on all our parts.

Thank you for your time in reading this and may the Lord continue to richly bless you in your efforts to advance the Kingdom of God in this generation.

You can send a offering to:
His Way Out Ministries, 1412 17th Street, Suite 313, Bakersfield, CA 93301
(Checks should be made payable to His Way Out Ministries)

You can also send a secure offering with your
VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card by using PayPal:



Why use PayPal?
It's free to send money and shop online.
You can shop without sharing your financial information with merchants.
Over 50,000 online merchants accept PayPal.
Return To Highlights

Guyana, South America
August 26 - September 4, 2008
Operation Restoration & His Way Out Ministries

On August 26th, Paul Mitchell, an HWOM Board Member and I will depart for Guyana, South America. While in Guyana, a joint effort between Operation Restoration (a local Guyanese ministry) and His Way Out Ministries will offer awareness, teaching, leadership equipping and training, and testimonies on freedom from homosexuality during a two-day conference in Georgetown, the capital of Guyana, several radio and television opportunities sharing the Good News about freedom from homosexuality in Christ Jesus, two days of training on how to facilitate support groups, and visits to several village communities within Guyana to equip and encourage the Saints and spread the Gospel. Your prayers for our journey to Guyana would be greatly appreciated! God Bless, Pastor Phillip Lee

Return To Highlights

Dear His Way Out Ministries...

I love your newsletters and the stories of life-change that they contain. - Rev. Charles Revis

Too often, it seems no matter what church you go to, you can rest assured the reaction is pretty much the same in terms of what the congregation thinks about homosexuality. How is it they fail to see that sin is sin no matter what the degree and if they are looking down on homosexuals with disgust or arrogance, they are committing a sin as well? It's not easy living in this world being someone who has always felt that who he is, is just short of subhuman destined to burn in Hell with the approval of both saved and unsaved. I love those who hate who I am and I also pray for the same. I pray that they change the hatred they harbor because if my sister (being a Christian) hadn't shown me the love that she always had, I would have looked for comfort in what was familiar to me. Today, my walk with Christ is very real. While I am far from being sinless, I willingly and lovingly follow the teachings of Christ and I have found that living for God and pleasing Him instead of trying to please man and living in fear feels great! God bless you and I pray this letter might help others on the same journey as me. - Edward Barron

We want to say thank you for your ministry. We know that it's in our trials that our faith grows. - The Kings

Return To Highlights

Pastor Phillip Lee LIVE at UBC

On Sunday, October 10, 2007, Pastor Phillip Lee spoke to the congregation of University Baptist Church on the subject What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality?

You can Listen LIVE to the 6.2 MB, 36min, MP3 at this link.

Give it a few moments to begin downloading and it will play. Windows 95/98 users make sure your Windows Media Player (or other MP3 software) is up to date. Right-click and choose "Save Target As..." to save it on your computer. (If Internet Explorer attempts to save as .mpga you can change it to an .mp3 file type.) You can then play it later or copy it to any MP3 portable player.

Return To Highlights

Argument/Answer
Genesis 1:27-28; 2:18-24

Argument: The Genesis account does not specifically forbid homosexuality; it simply doesn't refer to it.

Answer: While it is true these passages do not specifically forbid homosexual relations, they do provide the primary model for sexuality by which other forms of sexual expression must be judged. The male-female union, introduced in Genesis, is the only model of sexual behavior consistently praised in both the Old and New Testaments.

Return To Highlights

Coming Up This Month!

L.I.F.E. Group

On Saturday, August 2nd, from 9:00am to 11:00am, our L.I.F.E. Group will meet and is available to men and women that have chosen to leave homosexuality, wives whose marriage has been impacted by homosexuality, family members or friends of someone struggling with homosexuality and anyone desiring to learn about the complexities of homosexuality.

Our L.I.F.E. Group objectives:

To understand and face the complexity of emotions, actions and questions that all parents have upon learning of a child's homosexuality.

To encourage faith that God is able and willing to bring wholeness to the homosexual person.

To educate and equip all Christians on the complexities of same-gender attraction thereby enabling the Body of Christ to more effective in ministering to those bound by homosexuality.

To face the reality of what has happened, possibly 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.

Consider yourself invited!

Return To Highlights

How You Can Help His Way Out Ministries

  • Ask your pastor to check out our 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

Ministry Update - Ricky's Retreat

Just a couple of month's ago, HWOM was invited by the Bakersfield AIDS Project to facilitate a bible study at Ricky's Retreat, a home in Bakersfield for men and women impacted by HIV/AIDS. Thrilled by the invitation, we gladly accepted. As a result, HWOM now conducts a bible study at Ricky's Retreat on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month. Presently, we are journeying through the Book of Matthew with several individuals in faithful attendance. Wonderfully, so far, one lady rededicated her life to Christ and one man became born-again. Glory to God! All of us at HWOM want you to know that it is through your prayers and support that we have been able to come along side of Ricky's Retreat in tangible ways by supplying nonperishable food items, clothing, bedding, furniture and financial support for many years now. However, it just doesn't get any better than an individual surrendering their life to Christ.

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 in The Haberfelde Building in downtown Bakersfield, California; 1412 17th Street, Suite 313. 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) 321-9551. 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

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