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May 2009 Highlights
- Jamaica Bound!
- You Can Help His Way Out
- Our Office and Support Groups Have Moved!
- Make Us One! Exodus International Freedom Conference
- Pastor Phillip Lee LIVE at UBC
- First Presbyterian Church Sending Sunday
- Now on DVD: Homosexuality and the Reality of Change
- Our Role and Responsibility
- What's Coming Up?
- IT'S ABOUT LIFE: Food Ministry to Those Impacted by AIDS
- His Way Out Ministries Services
By Pastor Phillip Lee
Jamaica is the third largest Caribbean island, measuring 146 miles at its widest point and is the home of the world renowned Blue Mountain range rising over 7,000 feet. Perfect white-sand beaches surrounded by the myriad shades of blue of the Caribbean Sea create the perfect boundary for the beautiful island. The population counts over 2.5 million and is made up of a mixture of ethnicities, giving the island its motto, "Our of Man, We are One" and is responsible for the island's rich and diverse cultural heritage.
By invitation of Craig McNally, Director of WIRED Counseling Agency in Kingston, Jamaica, His Way Out Ministries (HWOM) will be traveling to Jamaica to offer a personal perspective through teaching and testimony regarding freedom from homosexuality in Christ Jesus. From the beginning, as it remains today, the interest, hope and focus of HWOM is to raise awareness, educate, and encourage the Body of Christ to minister to those who struggle with homosexuality. It is our belief that restoration and wholeness is possible through competent ministry, prayer, and a caring Christian community.
HWOM will be participating in a three-day Conference dedicated to educating and equipping individuals to be more effective in reaching and ministry to those with unwanted same-gender attraction. As well, HWOM will be meeting with professionals sharing the message of freedom from homosexuality in Christ Jesus. A television opportunity has been scheduled utilizing an interview-style format designed to offer a personal perspective regarding freedom from homosexuality and the opportunity to equip the Church with practical tools and information in reaching those bound by same-gender attraction. Church speaking/teaching opportunities have been scheduled each centering on homosexuality and the reality of change.
HWOM is extremely grateful for the opportunity to partner with the WIRED Counseling Agency, churches, and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ during our week-long stay in Jamaica. At HWOM, our hope and focus remains for a greater recognition, realization and embracement that homosexuality is not just about an 'issue'- this is about people. People whom God loves and people for who Jesus died. Please look for a full, detailed report in our July Newsletter. Your prayer support for our journey to Jamaica would be greatly, greatly appreciated. To God be the glory!
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 you life!
Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries
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You Can Help His Way Out
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:
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Other ways you can help:
- Add His Way Out Ministries to your prayer list.
- Ask your pastor to check out our website.
- Tell your friends about His Way Out Ministries and encourage them to visit this web site.
- 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.
- Show our teaching DVD or Video: "Homosexuality and the Reality of Change" to your Sunday School class.
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Our Office and Support Groups Have Moved!
New Office Location
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. Our new phone number is (661) 321-9551.
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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.
New Support Group Location
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!
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Make Us One! Exodus International Freedom Conference
July 14-18, 2009 - Wheaton, IL
The International Freedom Conference is Exodus' largest annual gathering where nearly 1,000 people impacted by homosexuality unite together for five powerful days of worship, teaching, and ministry. For individuals struggling with or affected by homosexuality, the conference promises to be a life-changing experience where you will find real answers, hope, and freedom. Pastors, ministry leaders, counselors, educators, and seminary students are also invited to attend this one of a kind conference to learn more about how to minister biblical truth and grace to a world impacted by homosexuality.
For more information about the conference or to register your attendance, please visit Exodus Freedom Conferences or call (888) 264-0877.
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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.
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First Presbyterian Church Sending Sunday
On Sunday, May 26, 2009, First Presbyterian Church in Bakersfield, CA, sponsored an incredible event titled Sending Sunday. Caroline Reid, Director of Missions at First Presbyterian Church, invited HWOM to participate in the event and share what God has been doing through His ministry called His Way Out. Since First Presbyterian Church has been as it remains today, a strong supporter of HWOM, we were only to glad and honored to participate. Aside from the opportunity to display numerous photographs of our travels overseas and locally, handout ministry information, and interact with an abundance of individuals, HWOM presented during the Sunday school hour offering a DVD presentation of our on-going ministry in Guyana, South America and enlist questions from those in attendance about the complexities of homosexuality.
Ultimately, we departed the event blessed, encouraged and more connected with the congregation at First Presbyterian Church. That's always a good thing!
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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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Our Role and Responsibility
By Pastor Phillip Lee
Our sexuality is a picture of the divine-human relationship that God intends us to have with Him. Contrary to what many would have us believe today, God does not create homosexuals. If He did, He would have no business judging their behavior as sinful and unnatural - something He spends a great deal of time doing in His Word. So, what are the facts, scripturally speaking, about homosexuality?
- We are created beings, created with a specific intent regarding our sexuality and sexual expression (Genesis 1:26-2:23)
- God's divine intent or human sexuality is fulfilled within the covenant of a monogamous and heterosexual union (Matthew 19:4-6)
- We are a fallen race, and the Fall has marred every part of our experience, including our sexual experience (Romans 5:12-19)
- Homosexuality is a manifestation of fallen nature and it violates created intent (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
- Homosexuals, like all people, are redeemable (1 Corinthians 6:11)
Why is it this topic (issue) has been so divisive to the Church with such an abundance of Scripture being so clear? Tragically, today, God's wisdom has been and continues to be pushed out with man's wisdom prevailing far too much of the time. How is it that the Church is bending more and more to the standards of the popular culture and shrinking back from setting societal standards?
The Church must not underestimate itself, it holds the only answer there is to the difficult and complex issues regarding homosexuality. The Church was never intended to operate according to the world's wisdom. Presently, the very foundations of the Church are under attack by those purposed to tear down and discard every righteous and moral principle that so many hold dear and sacred. We would do well to remember the words of Martin Luther - If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at the moment attacking, then I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is tested.
Since the days of Jesus' earthly ministry, the Church has been the true lighthouse and the conscious for society. Today, the light of 'tolerance' appears to be burning more brightly and offers the illusion of being more 'friendly.' Tragically, the Church has a long history of reacting badly to homosexuality. Far too often, it has condemned and rejected the homosexual person and has often branded the homosexual the 'worst of sinners;' a direct contradiction of Scripture. Clearly, neither condemnation or acceptance of sinful behavior is helpful to any person caught in the vice of sexual brokenness - homosexual or heterosexual. The way out of any sexual addiction, any compulsive behavior, or long-term, unhealthy lifestyle, often requires a long process of change which requires love, understanding and discipline from the Church.
Often, the person struggling with homosexuality finds they are in a place of confusion about the Christian viewpoint regarding homosexuality. Unfortunately, for some, when he or she tries to be obedient, some Christian influence is there to tell him he doesn't need to change, "just change churches." With so many personal opinions, voices and messages from the Church, the gay person often does not receive the correct reinforcement in his battle to obtain a pure life and a right relationship with God. Admittedly, we are living in a time when most everyone is looking for the 'easy road.' Helping someone out of homosexuality requires enormous effort in terms of time and emotionally speaking as well. Unfortunately, many have considered the cost and decide it's just not worth the effort.
Change requires a level of surrender, dedication, a level of Christianity that is not known to many Christians. Those truly desiring to see real, lasting change in their lives must dedicate themselves to God in a far deeper way than most Christians have themselves experienced. Not only must they have a personal relationship with the Lord, but they must learn of the Lord, both through their own investigation, and through the spoken word in their church. All of us need like-minded people around us to encourage and help us grow.
God desires to reach into the vast, enormous and virtually untouched mission field of those struggling with and combating same-gender attraction. Indeed, God Himself has said that he will seek the lost. As His Church, we must never back away from or apologize for the Truth of Scripture. Other books may be good, but only the Bible gives us the way to eternal life with God, and the true answer to victorious living here on earth.
Jesus Christ, the Lord, was to preach the good tidings of the gospel. But more than that, He was to heal the brokenhearted, deliver the captives, and recover the sight of the blind. And the Lord, when He came, did just that. With Christ as our perfect role model, can we His Church, do any less?
The bottom line - we, The Church, have The Gospel which is more than able to heal a person anywhere they may hurt; including those struggling with same-gender attraction. God has promised His Word never will return void. Offering His Word, tempered with a balance of both truth and grace, clothed and reaching in the spirit of restoration, produces - lives changed! Ultimately, peace comes from the assurance that God is always in the 'process' and that the end result will be a better life, one in right relationship with God.
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What's Coming Up?
Maintaining and Restoring Sexual Purity Discipleship Series
May 2nd - Emotional Dependency - Many people (no matter what their sexual orientation) have a problem with being emotionally dependent on others. What are the signs/evidences of being emotionally dependent and why does it seem the dependencies are so difficult to break?
May 16th - Celibacy - In this feeling-oriented world, the need for affirmation, affection and loving reassurance is undeniable. In many respects 'celibacy' has become a dirty word, unacceptable and even viewed by some as abnormal. What does Scripture have to say about celibacy? Is celibacy unattainable? Is it possible that temptation may be the only thing that motivates us to turn our attention and hope toward God?
"Sexual Purity" - Many Christian men and women strive for it and yearn for it. But our culture, our past, and our habits continually fight against us. Many Christian men and women have found themselves dealing with issues they never thought they would be...lust, pornography, homosexuality, inappropriate relationships...
"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.
If you are tired of fighting the battle alone, ready to take some major steps toward sexual purity, or you would like to become more versed in helping someone struggling with sexual and relational brokenness, make plans to join us on May 2nd and May 16th for "Maintaining and Restoring Sexual Purity." All meetings are held at Chester Avenue Community Church, 1509 South Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA. For more information, please contact His Way Out Ministries at (661) 321-9551. There is no fee for the teaching, discipleship, and support group series. All teaching materials are provided.
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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 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
- 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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