            |
November 2008 Highlights
- Sexual Purity and the Christian
- We Need Your Help!
- New Office for His Way Out Ministries
- New Location for All His Way Out Ministries Support Groups
- Pastor Phillip Lee LIVE at UBC
- RiverLakes Community Church / Height Street Baptist Church
- Coming Events At HWOM
- How You Can Help
- Now on DVD: Homosexuality and the Reality of Change
- IT'S ABOUT LIFE: Food Ministry to Those Impacted by AIDS
- His Way Out Ministries Services
By Pastor Phillip Lee
How should a follower of Christ, living in an increasingly amoral society, behave concerning sexual activity? Frankly, I believe one way to recognize a Christian today should be by his or her sexual purity. Admittedly, it becomes more and more difficult to maintain purity in a culture which is obsessed with sex and permissiveness toward all forms of sexual expression. That difficulty makes sexual purity a good test of who really is a follower of Christ.
What constitutes sexual immorality and how does a Christian walk in purity when temptation seems to be around every corner? According to the Bible, sexual immorality includes adultery, fornication, homosexuality, incest, prostitution, rape, and lust. Often, and tragically, the culture that surrounds us suggests that anything short of sexual intercourse is not sex and therefore is not sinning. But that definition of sex does not line up with the Bible. Jesus said, "Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28).
Yes, God Himself did create human beings with sex drives therefore individuals do become attracted to one another; however, that does not mean we are free to behave sinfully in order to satisfy every drive and appetite of the flesh. In God's eyes, there is only one place that sex is appropriate and that is between a man and a woman who are bound to one another in marriage - period.
I don't know about you, but I know in my body (which includes my mind, feelings, and emotions) I can feel fifty different ways about the same thing all in one day. Have you ever thought about what the world would be like if everyone acted on every thought, feeling, and desire they experienced - we would have complete and total chaos.
For example, if someone wrongs you in some way, you may experience a moment of hot anger in which you have a strong desire to punch that person in the nose. But, being the very wise and intelligent person you are, you control your desire because you "fast-forward to the end" of your considered actions and you realize that the consequences of your action would be harmful and damaging for many, many reasons. What am I saying? I'm saying the principle of expressing and/or controlling our natural desires and drives also applies to sex.
Clearly, every Christian must exercise the fruit of self-control and yield to the Lord's will. Listen to 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 - "It is God's will that your should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God." The verse is about as clear as it could be regarding God's will. We just have to decide if we will walk in the ways of Christ who understands each of our struggles because He faced the same temptations, or in the ways of this world that constantly pressures us to disobey Him.
The Bible tells us clearly that the price Jesus paid for our salvation and that the grace of God provided for our sins through the sacrifice of His Son, are more than enough reasons for us to present our bodies as living sacrifices to God. Therefore, God's call, plan, purpose and will for each of His followers to surrender to sexual purity is not too hard because the Holy Spirit lives within us and we know we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).
Today, it is easy enough for anyone to reason, if "everyone is doing it" and no judgment has fallen, maybe the biblical standards regarding sexual purity are outmoded and outdated. But God's standards of morality have not changed, and He blesses those who obey and live within His wise holy boundary lines which are clearly defined and set up for our preservation and well being.
I believe that God is calling His people to purity and holiness in these last days because the world is falling deeper and deeper into immorality and we are His witnesses. Our lights must shine so the world can find Jesus through us. After all, if Christians do not live Holy lives, who will?
From All of Us at His Way Out Ministries...
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. To each of you who continually bless us by your encouragement, ministry participation, monthly financial support, offerings and prayers...we remain truly grateful!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Prayerfully Yours,
Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries
Return To Highlights
We Need Your Help!
His Way Out Ministries is one of the few places people can go for sensitive help regarding same-gender attraction and related issues. Your financial support enables us to fight the good fight. Without a doubt, we at His Way Out Ministries need to be stronger than ever, ready to face the challenge of this generation with truth and integrity. We are more committed than ever to proclaiming the Lord's transforming power through our lives, and equipping the Church to authenticate that healing. Your support helps us to make known the relevance of Jesus and His Church to broken lives. Would you please prayerfully consider sending a donation?
Send your check to:
His Way Out Ministries, 1412 17th Street, Suite 313, Bakersfield, CA 93301
(Checks should be made payable to His Way Out Ministries)
Or use your credit card:
VISA / MasterCard / American Express / Discover Card
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
New Office for His Way Out Ministries
We have moved! For some time, His Way Out Ministries has been in need of additional office space for the daily facilitation of our ministry and room to grow. As a result, we have relocated our office to downtown Bakersfield, the Haberfelde Building, 1412 17th Street, Suite 313, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Below is our new address and office phone number.
His Way Out Ministries
1412 17th Street, Suite 313
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 321-9551
All of us at His Way Out Ministries remain truly grateful to Brimhall Road Assembly of God for the many, many years of housing our ministry. The congregation's generosity and contributions have been and remain significant.
Return To Highlights
New Location for All His Way Out Ministries Support Groups
Beginning Saturday, November 1, 2008, all His Way Out Ministries support groups will meet at Chester Avenue Community Church located at 1509 South Chester Avenue (corner of Ming Avenue and South Chester Avenue). Chester Avenue Community Church has been an integral part of His Way Out Ministries from our beginning and has graciously offered their facilities for the expansion and facilitation of our support groups. We are very grateful!
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
RiverLakes Community Church / Height Street Baptist Church
River Lakes Community Church Training Seminar
Recently, His Way Out Ministries had the privilege of facilitating a three-hour training seminar titled Freedom From Homosexuality for lay pastoral counselors at River Lakes Community Church. The training seminar offered under the banner of People Encouraging People, the ministry offers encouragement to help individuals find and follow Jesus through the transitions, challenges and struggles of life. The seminar offered by His Way Out Ministries was extremely well attended and received and offered teaching and discussion on such topics as: Can homosexuals really change? What are the dynamics of change? Will the person become heterosexual? What about pro-gay theology? And much more! Many expressed their appreciation for such an enlightening and educating seminar. Below, is just one note of thanks we received.
"The things you had to say were a real eye-opener, and for the first time I feel as though I actually understand about homosexuality. I have always felt that sexual sin, particularly homosexuality, was a worse sin than most of the others we know about. Not until your direction to 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 did I see the truth about how God sees ALL sins. Thank you for helping us with this very complex and little understood issue."
Height Street Baptist Church - Sunday, November 2, 2008
On Sunday, November 2nd, His Way Out Ministries will have the privilege and opportunity to share a message titled A Christian Response to Homosexuality with the congregation at Height Street Baptist Church in Bakersfield, CA. By invitation of Pastor Jonathan Morgan, Pastor Phillip has been invited to share his testimony, the ministry focus of His Way Out Ministries and the above mentioned message which focuses on the Church's role and calling regarding homosexuality and related issues. Height Street Baptist Church is located at 1010 Height Street in Bakersfield and the Sunday morning service begins at 10:45am.
Return To Highlights
Coming Events at HWOM
L.I.F.E.
(Living in Fellowship...Even in Tough Times)
Please join us on Saturday, November 1, 2008, as we welcome our special guest teacher, Pastor Pat Tanner, Assistant Pastor of Grace Chapel in Lancaster, CA. Our L.I.F.E. Group is available and appropriate if you have chosen to leave homosexuality, if you are a spouse, family member or friend of someone struggling with homosexuality or you desire to learn about the complexities of homosexuality and become more effective in helping those struggling with unwanted same-gender attraction. L.I.F.E. meets faithfully on the first Saturday of each month from 9am to 11am. Our meeting will be held at:
Chester Avenue Community Church (Chapel)
1509 South Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA
Maintaining and Restoring Sexual Purity
(A Discipleship/Support Group Series)
Begins January 3, 2009
Many Christian men and women strive for sexual purity but our culture, our past, and our habits continually fight against us. Many have found themselves dealing with issues they never thought they would be...lust, pornography, homosexuality, inappropriate relationships...
Thankfully, God does provide us with what we need to fight the battle. And one of the weapons He provides is a group of Christian men and women you can get real with. Maintaining and Restoring Sexual Purity is available to men and women that struggle with sexual and relational brokenness (heterosexual and homosexual), wives whose marriage has been impacted by pornography, adultery, or homosexuality, and parents rebounding from the shock and dismay of a child or loved one involved in homosexuality.
Beginning Saturday, January 3, 2009, our meetings will be held on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month from 9am to 11am. Some of the series topics/teachings and group discussions include: Sexual Addiction, Why People Remain in Sexual Sin, Pornography, Surviving Sex Abuse, Emotional Dependency, Failure and Condemnation, Sexual Identity Confusion, and an extensive Game Plan for Sexual Healing. Each meeting will begin with worship, followed by an informative teaching and culminating in a variety of group discussions which enable and provide the means for accountability, honesty, transparency and prayer support. For more information, or to register your interest in taking part in this life-changing experience, please contact our office at (661) 589-4262.
Series Schedule
January 3 - Series Introduction
January 17 - Lesson 1 "A Sure Foundation: The Authority of Scripture"
February 7 - Lesson 2 "Grace vs. Performance"
February 21 - Lesson 3 "God's Plan for Human Sexuality"
March 7 - Lesson 4 "God the Father"
March 21 - Lesson 5 "How Did We Get Here"
April 4 - Lesson 6 "Sexual Identity Confusion"
April 18 - Lesson 7 "Grief, Disorientation, Loneliness"
May 2 - Lesson 8 "Emotional Dependency"
May 16 - Lesson 9 "Celibacy"
June 6 - Lesson 10 "Surviving Sex Abuse"
June 20 - Lesson 11 "Sexual Addiction"
July 18 - Lesson 12 "Pornography"
August 1 - Lesson 13 "Why People Remain in Sexual Sin" (Part One)
August 15 - Lesson 14 "Why People Remain in Sexual Sin" (Part Two)
September 5 - Lesson 15 "Failure and Condemnation"
September 19 - Lesson 16 "A Game Plan for Sexual Healing" (Part One)
October 3 - Lesson 17 "A Game Plan for Sexual Healing" (Part Two)
October 17 - Lesson 18 "A Game Plan for Sexual Healing" (Part Three)
November 7 - Lesson 19 "Using What We Know/Application"
November 21 - Lesson 20 "Christ In You"
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
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.
His Way Out Ministries Services
Copyright © His Way Out Ministries
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