Category — former homosexuals

There’s a new pecking order of  gay christians in town. As defined by the gay christian network (GCN), individuals who believe you can be gay, have unrestricted sex and the whole nine are called “Side A” gay christians. The ones who believe you should just call yourself gay but refrain from sex for an unspecified amount of time are labeled “Side B” gay christians. But after a visit from Alan Chambers, the public face of Exodus International to a GCN conference Jan 6th in Orlando, we are prompted to add one more class of gay christian and name it “Side C”.

The C is for compromised, confused, careless and carnal. One thing is ironically clear: statements about homosexuality by Alan Chambers rarely result in clarity.

Over a roughly two hour period, Chambers rattled off a stream of statements seemingly more in sync with trending progay theology than the biblical position Exodus claims to uphold for the last 30-odd years.  In response to a question about the Exodus slogan “change [from homosexuality] is possible”, Chambers said:

“The majority of people that I have met, and I would say the majority meaning 99.9% of them, have not experienced a change in their orientation or have gotten to a place where they could say that they could never be tempted or are not tempted in some way or experience some level of same-sex attraction. I think there is a gender issue there, there are some women who have challenged me and said that my orientation or my attractions have changed completely. Those have been few and far between. The vast majority of people that I know do still experience some level of same-sex attraction.”

Reflections, Reactions and Rebranding

The aftermath of Chamber’s appearance with the self declared homosexual christian group set off a firestorm of support, sharp criticism and everything in between.

Randy Thomas, a former Exodus official: “This isn’t shocking to me because Alan has always had a heart for those that oppose the work of Exodus and the truth of Alan’s testimony (which directly and indirectly represents thousands of us in some way shape or form.) I trust Alan and know his strength of conviction is completely wrapped up in God’s redeeming grace … I wasn’t worried for him or them. I was actually quite proud of him.”

Haydn Sennitt, a Syndey based ministry leader: “However, being outnumbered on such a huge scale would have put psychological strain on him to obfuscate, weaken his position, say things which- in hindsight- he might regret.  In the first 5-6 minutes he did exactly that: his first comments were to joke about drinking martinis and smoking cigarettes at an Exodus conference and laughed at a joke by the ‘gay Christian’ conference convenor that tacitly mocked Exodus conference attendees.  I was shocked. ”

Debbie Thurman, Christian journalist and former lesbian,  “I commend Alan for his honesty and clarity. Is that [Chamber's statement] an earth-shattering statement, as some are interpreting it to be? Not for me, and not really for Alan. “I have said similar things before. The fact of the matter is that 100 percent of humanity is fallible and we will be until death parts us from our flesh,” he told me. “I cannot speak for others who say that temptation or attraction don’t equal orientation. As a layman with regard to that issue, I tend to link them all together, and that is where that 99.9 percent, non-scientific/anecdotal/experiential statement comes from,” Alan added.

Exgaywatch, a blog that primarily criticizes Chambers and Exodus: “Playing to both sides on this issue of gay Christians is not new for Exodus International. In March last year, Chambers enthusiastically affirmed the existence of gay Christians in an interview with the Oprah network’s Lisa Ling, only to water down his statements when challenged by his conservative evangelical constituents. What is new is that some gay Christians are now taking him at his word.”

Nakisha Thomas, an Orlando based ministry leader:  “I was a supporter of Exodus in the past. I had a wonderful time when I attended the national conference and encouraged my church to join their network. However – I am severing all ties with them because as the Bible has instructed – I have gone to the group privately on several occasions. I have reached out with witnesses – but I believe now is the time to warn the church of the danger of embracing an organization that will lead people into confusion and not to the light.”

Just who’s side is he on?

Imagine the president of Pepsi going  to a meeting of Coca Cola employees and saying to them that he only knew about 3 people who really liked Pepsi.   That probably would never happen in the dog-eat-dog cola wars, but Exodus’ president  expressed the same sentiment to the GCN who are admittedly hostile to the message of change, Exodus’ signature mantra.   The meeting was reported by the antichange website Exgaywatch,  and has subsequently sparked sharp debate even among homosexual activists. Chambers reportedly requested to be a guest on a panel session with the Gay Christian Network. For more about the GCN and its founder Justin Lee read here.

The panel discussion moderated by Lee also featured former Exodus leader John Smid, former Exodus leader Wendy Gritter and former Exodus leader Jeremy Marks. All of the aforementioned  now advocate prohomosexual theological positions.

While some are attempting to spin the appearance as “bridge building” and “being light among darkness”, the discussion doesn’t confirm that. Chambers didn’t spread light, he compromised truth to gain some sort of emergent church-like unity. Can supporters of Exodus now expect some reciprocal appearance by a gay christian at the Exodus “Freedom” conference?

If you want to review the entire 3 hour discussion, feel free: part one, part two

Flipside

Aside from the appearance itself, Chambers statement is problematic for several reasons:

1. The monkey wrench in mature discussions about change from homosexuality is the  “sexual orientation” theory. You can not argue biblical truth by attempting to juxtapose it with cultural ideology.  Sexual orientation is a linguistical misnomer created by the gay community to frame homosexuality as an immutable trait.  But the bible speaks from a different perspective. It tells us without equivocation that there is nothing that cannot change by the power of God. Not even death is permanent under his supernatural power. What’s more the Gospel itself is HOPE for change from whatever binds us. That Chambers cannot follow the biblical script is a sign of spiritual immaturity. And spiritually immature people have no place attempting to lead such a critical ministry outreach.

2. Chamber’s comments are a betrayal of biblical truth namely: (a)change or deliverance is fundamental biblical truth,  (b)the process whereby a person is changed once they confess and follow Jesus Christ is sanctification and (c) the ultimate consummation of change which occurs when Christ returns is (glorification). There is no separate trajectory for those who struggle with same sex attractions. The stark difference between the bible and gay christian theology is the definition of the word sin. They believe homosexuality is not a sin, the bible says it is.

3. Change in “sexual orientation” is a false –not to mention unbiblical– goal. The bible doesn’t make “changing sexual orientation” the goal of the Christian because there is no such thing. If God required the homosexual has to change his “orientation” then the heterosexual would have to likewise change his. But this is foolish carnality on display.  Biblically, there is only one “orientation”. Man to woman and woman to man in covenant marriage. Anything else is sin. Thus, our goal is to reject sin and embrace original intent holiness. Chamber’s assertion that 99.9% of people he’s met have not changed their “sexual orientation” is either a brazen lie or its a stunning testament to the failure of Exodus.  Its my belief that our goal should be the same goal as every other believe: to be holy. Our goal should be God’s goal for us, since we are his children.

4. Sexual orientation has no bearing on temptation. Temptation is allowed by God and used a tool to sharpen, strengthen and test the believer’s devotion to God’s standards. Temptation is not a sin and never will be. If it were,  Jesus Christ himself would be a sinner. Unfortunately, in the unyeilding black-white world of gay theology, even the slightest glimmer of  homosexual temptation is viewed as proof that the individual is still homosexual.

As a recognized “leader”, Chamber’s serial inconsistency has deeply affected the quality of ministry to individuals seeking freedom from homosexuality through faith in Christ. Chambers is quoted on a NARTH website as saying “I am one of tens of thousands of people whom have successfully changed their sexual orientation.”. But now, almost no one has changed? Not even him? This type of schizophrenic commentary is damaging and a disgrace to the legacy of the great pioneers of the freedom movement.

Be it resolved: The Exodus board should relieve Alan Chambers of his duties until he has satisfactorily completed comprehensive bible study.

GCM Watch was the first to tell you about Kiana Dennis, the former Detroit-based lesbian nightclub owner who left a highly successful career in gay entertainment to follow Jesus.

More good news to report.  Dennis has branched out with a new ministry and website to reach others who want to leave “the lifestyle” and follow Jesus. Called Blood,Sweat and Tears the ministry aims to “to help lead women and men out of homosexuality into the hands of The Savior Jesus Christ.”

Blood = Sacrifice
(“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” – Romans 12:1)

Sweat = Work
(“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” – James 2:26)

Tears = Pain
(“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’ – Matthew 16:24 & Luke 9:23)

Hands (symbolizing Gods Hands)
(See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me” – Isaiah 46:16)

Visit Blood, Sweat and Tears ministry.

In Ferndale, a suburb of Detroit, a new club had everybody excited. The new owners had set out to make it the hottest interactive gay nightclub in the state of Michigan and judging from the consistently packed crowds, for the most part, they had succeded.  Michigan’s top gay magazine Between The Lines, hailed the owners and the club as a major attraction.
Club 9 attracts one of the most diverse crowds of any gay club in Ferndale, with Monday night football, Hump Night on Wednesdays for the boys, Trend-Sexy Fridays for hip-hop lovers and Sweet Saturdays, when a predominantly female crowd kicks it to the latest top 40 jams.

The club also attracted a pair of young and ambitious women. In October of 2009, Kiana Dennis, who is just 29, and Angela Vincents, who just prefers “thirty-something,” purchased the business and expanded it. They added TV’s, dance poles, a T-shaped stage for fashion shows and a new sign out front. They painted the walls and made the events calendar more diverse.

They also brought in talent from out of town, including the sexy dancers from the 2012 club in Windsor and Spinderella, the turntable genius from the iconic rap group Salt-n-Peppa.

Dennis and Vincents also worked to make Club 9 a part of both the gay community and the Ferndale scene. The club was a gold-level sponsor for Motor City Pride, a participant in the annual Ferndale Pub Crawl, and a club sponsor for Hotter than July, an LGBT celebration organized by the Black Pride Society.

But about a year ago, all of that changed. Club co-owner Kiana Dennis closed the venue, gave up the women, the fame and all the benefits of sin to follow Jesus. Now she’s telling her story to help others know that there is nothing too hard for God. See the videos below.

WATCH: Video testimonies of other men and women who have come out of homosexuality.

Earlier this year, GCM Watch reported that Baltimore pastor Jamal Bryant was moderating a “conversation” about homosexuality at his Empowerment Temple Church. Slated on the guest list was gay christian cleric Dennis Meredith of Atlanta and former lesbian Brenda Burton of Jacksonville, NC. The event was billed as “Homosexuality in the House of God”.   Per the graphic flyer that was released by the ministry, Meredith got the “featured” billing. But after the GCM Watch article, the graphic was amended and rereleased with Burton’s name added. You can see both graphics from the event here.

Videos of that  exchange have now been uploaded to Youtube but only five of the seven parts are available. Part 1 is Bryant presumably giving some historical background and context but the actual “conversation” doesn’t begin until about 5 minutes into part 2.

We have not reviewed all the videos, but feel free to add your comments and insights as you view them.

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Michigan Live reported the passing of Roberta Laurila, 80, who pioneered ministry to homosexuals even before the Exodus Movement began. Roberta began her struggle out of  lesbianism at a time when homosexuality was barely spoken of publicly. Yet, she believed God and fought her way through to help liberate thousands of others.

“Roberta Laurila, went to be with Jesus and her many friends and loved ones on Thursday October 20, 2011. Her parents were, Bert and Rosella Meyers, she was the youngest of five siblings, raised near Lake Odessa, MI. Later in life, after receiving Jesus as her Savior she was called by her Lord to minister his love to the rejected and lost who were searching a new life in salvation. Knowing there would be consequences, she plunged into God’s plan for her life by writing a testimony of her own life, which was published in 1975. Soon after she received many letters for help to be delivered from their life style, plus salvation. A few years before, in December of 1967, God had shown her a spiritual vision or dream, her desire to reach many rejected internationally would come to fruition after nine years. The ministry of “EXODUS” was born and shortly thereafter became “Exodus International.” Her prayerful hope of many years, only God had performed, in his plan for her life.”

In her own testimony Roberta knew her call was not to the limelight of leadership but to pray and intercede.

“Much has happened since that time. While I continued to intercede, God began calling forth former gays to minister. God has blessed my friendships with many of the “pioneers” in the Exodus movement, such as Frank Worthen, Robbi Kenney, Ed Hurst and others. I have been blessed also to see many ministries begin in foreign soil. What a wonderful God he is!

God has kept me at a low profile. At times, I have rebelled concerning this. But deep down, I know I was called to intercede for others to be led by the Holy Spirit into all the world.

Even as I write these words, tears are flowing down my cheeks. Surely God will complete His perfect plan to reach the many millions of the lost who have been so rejected and lonely so many years. I weep for the church, blinded by the enemy so it cannot see the need to reach gays. So many Christians cannot truly believe that God can set these people free. My great desire now is to reach those in the gay church. I am believing God to also work a miracle there.”

Bob Davies, former president of Exodus International told Exodus International’s blog that Roberta prayed many of them out of homosexuality and was a major influence on early leaders.

“Quiet faithfulness.” Those are the two words that come to mind when I think of Roberta Laurila.  I first heard about her 30 years ago when I read her testimony—one of the first books to be published from a “former lesbian.” I was even more impacted when I heard “the rest of the story”:  As a new Christian, Roberta began praying for others caught in homosexuality, that God would also free them. One day God gave her a vision of whole stadiums full of people who had left homosexuality.  She began quietly praying for the fulfillment of that vision—and within a couple years, Exodus was born.

For the past 30 years, Roberta continued to pray for the fulfillment of her vision, and her beloved Exodus has grown into a worldwide movement. Her little Exodus ministry in a suburb of Grand Rapids was never well known; few people even knew of her. But, over the decades, she continued to serve in her own quiet, gentle way.

I am humbled by her faithfulness—and feel overwhelming gratitude for the years of prayer that she invested in me and other Exodus leaders. Roberta Laurila will always be one of my heroes in the faith.  I am greatly indebted to her—and I thank the Lord for “every remembrance” of this faithful servant of God.

Roberta’s prayers are yet reaching the throne of God as he calls out men and women who have been trapped in homosexuality out to a new life of faith in the Son of God. The fervent, effectual prayers of the righteous availeth much.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. Rev 2:17

God called Jaye Thomas out of homosexuality and sin. Because he is no respect of persons, he will do the same for you.

Video courtesy of CBN