Many years before becoming Executive Director of His Way Out Ministries, my primary ministry focus was missions and evangelism; locally, here in Bakersfield and overseas in places such as Jamaica and Guyana, South America. Admittedly, within recent years, a massive shift has occurred in the way Christians take the Word into the world. Today, maybe more than ever, no Christian can choose to disregard the vast mission field often referred to as “the gay community.”

Gay men and women are not excluded or exempt from God’s love, grace, salvation, and healing. Ultimately, God’s passion should be our passion; that none should perish, but that all would have everlasting life (John 3:16).

God has given the responsibility of outreach to all of us. That said, I am acutely aware that some within the Church have begun to consider reaching the gay community as a ‘you just can’t win’ endeavor. Is it possible far too many have placed their view and attitude on recent events such as same-sex marriage and have thrown in the towel?

Certainly, many of us entertain the question – “Now why did God allow this and that?” Admittedly, I have experienced my own personal times of visiting the same. But then I remember that often what seems to be failure from man’s standpoint is often, very often, a tremendous triumph from God’s because God’s purpose is never man’s purpose.

Followers of Jesus make followers of Jesus. Be ready and available to minister God’s love and truth to a man or woman struggling with same-gender attraction. If God can trust you and me to love gays, He will also use you and me to win them.

I, for one, still believe in and have every confidence in the Church’s ability, through Christ, to win the gay community to Christ. We are all in this work together through Him, fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). I mean, how great is it that God is allowing us to be in on what He is doing and desires to do on this earth and specifically in gay communities around the world?

The Apostle Paul said, “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians.” (Romans 1:14) There is no doubt Paul understood and lived his life as a debtor to “everyone” on the face of the earth because of the Gospel of Jesus. Do we, as Ambassadors for Christ, realize that same debtedness to every unsaved soul which includes the vast, enormous and virtually untouched mission field called “the gay community?”

Regardless of recent events surrounding “gay,” The Church cannot – The Church must not – underestimate itself; it holds the only answer there is to homosexuality and related issues. Personally, I am convinced we have moved into a new era where each and every faithful follower of Christ Jesus must address and answer the following:

Do I accept the Bible as the Word of God, as the sole authority in all matters of faith and practice, or do I not? Do I accept Scripture as a revelation from God, or do I now trust in human knowledge, human learning, human understanding and human reasons? Or, putting it more simply, do I, as a faithful-follower of Christ Jesus, pin all my faith to, and subject all my thinking, to, what I read in the Bible – including what God has clearly stated with regard to His divine intent for human sexuality?

Presently, at His Way Out Ministries, we are continuing to experience a huge demand “to minister” to local and overseas individuals, families and churches, impacted by homosexuality. Homosexuality is not a hopeless condition. There is restoration, forgiveness and healing through Jesus Christ. No, the Gospel has not changed in 2,000 years. People were delivered from homosexuality in Paul’s day – and they still are today.

Our ministry partners in the Caribbean (Trinidad/Tobago, Jamaica and Guyana) continue to experience a considerable demand for ex-gay ministry often attempting to meet ministry requests with too few financial resources. Here in the States, His Way Out Ministries is blazing a trail to birth the first ex-gay ministry in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Although the Bible is clear that homosexual practice is against God’s pattern for humankind, would you please help us to continue to be the bearer of good tidings to those with unwanted same-gender attraction and not just announce that a certain lifestyle is sinful?

At His Way Out Ministries, we look beyond the “gay” or “lesbian” label to the whole person inside. Rather than seeing our friends, family members or fellow brothers and sisters in Christ as a homosexual, we see each individual as a person with a homosexual problem.

The goal and privilege of His Way Out Ministries is to continue sharing with everyone the transforming power of God’s love and forgiveness without compromising the truth. We are purposed to continue offering the message that many are trying to silence today: There is freedom from homosexuality through the unconditional love and grace of Jesus Christ.

Ok, I’m willing to address – If I’m Truly a Christian, How Can I Still Be Doing THIS? – how about you?

If you think about it, you will have to agree that sex is a subject frequently addressed in the Scriptures. Though the Bible handles this subject matter much differently than the secular world, it does have much to say on the subject. I can only think of one reason for matters pertaining to sex to be so frequently discussed in the Bible – sexuality must be very closely related to spirituality.

Whether heterosexual sexual brokenness or homosexuality, if we are to truly deal with these issues properly we must expose the lies and excuses that have been successfully used to deceive Christians in a variety of areas.

Today, many Christians prefer to avoid the topic of sexual brokenness, whether heterosexual or homosexual, because they are bound by guilt about past sins, or because they do not want to deal with current sexual temptations and sin in their lives.

Whether you are a Christian struggling with sexual brokenness or an individual desiring to equip yourself with practical spiritual tools to become more effective in ministering to an individual, please make plans to join us on Saturday, September 14, 2013, from 9:00am to 11:30am for If I’m Truly a Christian, How Can I Still Be Doing THIS? at His Way Out Ministries.

Does failing mean I am a failure? Is accountability enough? How do I really respond to a convicting sermon or passage in the Bible? Am I experiencing guilt or conviction? Am I seeing my situation as a struggle or a fight? Am I truly trying to move forward spiritually?

This is not a support group nor a lecture-style teaching, but rather an interactive class offered and designed to encourage, enlighten and support those affected by sexual brokenness and family members, spouses, and friends of those who struggle with sexual brokenness (homosexual or heterosexual).

For more information about If I’m Truly a Christian, How Can I Still Be Doing This?, please visit our Contact page for phone and email address.

There is no fee for the class. However, letting us know you will be attending would be helpful and may be completed by calling or emailing our office.

There is no doubt the winds of social change are blowing aimlessly across America with emphasis being placed upon “tolerance” – which is to be extended to everyone and anyone without limitation and to any and all kinds of sexual expression. Is there nothing wrong with sex as long as it is consensual? And if there is something wrong, what is it? Does it really come down to a matter of personal taste, of private sentiment and personal choice? Have we become a nation that gains our sense of purpose and meaning primarily from our sexual desires and behavior?

On every hand you find those “who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness…” (Isaiah 5:20). With all sorts of opinions consuming the airwaves, media and Internet, it appears everything is now up for debate – even the subject of homosexuality.

The moral status of America cannot be determined on the basis of population figures. There is no such thing as statistical morality. America’s blind, amoral pursuit of pleasure at any price, and in any form, has indeed perpetuated the social and dark spiritual dynamics which have birthed and inflamed the various forms of sexual perversion.

While there are those still attempting to make The Bible and Christianity socially and culturally relevant by rewriting and redefining biblical standards, I find tremendous comfort and strength in knowing God’s Word remains steadfast from generation to generation. Therefore, it remains crucial that each and every true faithful follower of Christ Jesus understand and embrace “thus saith the Lord” when it comes to homosexuality and other issues of our time. Ultimately, God is not and will not be mocked, and there is no way anyone can legitimately rewrite or circumvent what God prohibits.

Based upon my own personal experience with regard to homosexual practice, I know all too well that any individual choosing to practice homosexuality, in any form or to any degree, cannot glorify God and will eventually downward spiral as described by the Apostle Paul in Romans 1:21-27:

“For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in them the due penalty for their perversion.”

But the good news is “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8) – no matter how sinister, dark, rebellious or disobedient our heart may be.

How well I remember my first reading of 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the Kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

What hope, peace and comfort this passage gave me. Clearly, according to God, anyone can be cleansed from and overcome homosexuality by the blood of Jesus. It has been 28 years since I surrendered my life to Christ and 28 years of victory over homosexuality.

Today, there are those reluctant to call homosexuality sin. However, I would submit to call homosexuality sin actually offers hope to anyone that struggles with homosexuality. The Lord has not changed, nor will He ever alter His Word to accommodate man’s sinful desires and choices.

The reality of an across-the-board crisis of sexual and relational brokenness in America clearly points to an increasing inability, as a society, to make healthy and moral distinctions. Even those who place a high premium on tolerance are obligated to recognize that matters of various sexual lifestyles now threatens the very values and institutions on which a solid and vital society is built and sustained.

What matters morally should and must be determined on the basis of our best understanding about what constitutes human well-being. Today, more than ever, responsible American citizens who truly care for the greater social good of America are obligated to impose, if not place under the microscope, a moral gaze on their sexual behavior. Unfortunately, not every American is willing or responsive enough to such an obligation. What’s more they do not want anyone to hold them responsible.

Those who have the self-respect to recognize that a person is not reducible to his or her desires or behavior truly exhibit a concern for social justice, personal responsibility and a true love for this nation which seeks nothing higher than the welfare of people. When a person’s actions, no matter how well-intentioned or sincere, endanger the well-being of society, criticism is both appropriate and necessary. Irresponsible sexual behavior, is one of our nation’s most destructive realities. How is it in choosing to dismiss and disregard a moral compass, we are shocked by the state of our culture?

Speaking as someone that was trapped for many years in a behavior and lifestyle, thinking there was no way out, I completely understand how anyone might have difficulty in believing in and receiving God’s forgiveness and restoration. “But Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). God remains rich in mercy and remains willing to deliver anyone. “He is forever our great Sin-bearer and the God who forgives” (Psalm 99:8).

The Way Out

Jesus Christ is the alternative. He addresses the problem – man limited to self – and provides the way through which we can find fulfillment in God and His people. By releasing us from the dictates of the past, Jesus frees us to live as new creatures. The Holy Spirit carries on that process of change in our lives. His Way Out Ministries arose in response to those needs, with the aim of encouraging those with a same-sex attraction background on to wholeness in Jesus. His grace is sufficient, for His strength is made perfect in weakness. He proves the mooring point for a new identity – the center out of which a true sense of well-being can be achieved and enjoyed. As we close to Him we are enabled to reflect His image in our humanity more and more fully.

His Way Out Ministries believes such love is Christ’s intent for us and we affirm His capacity to carry it out in our lives and in the lives of those who seek to be free from homosexuality.

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.

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

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