Exodus: Live Out Loud

Alan Chambers in New Man Magazine

New Man: You struggled with same-sex attraction yourself. Did that experience lead you to the ministry you’re in today?

 

Alan Chambers: Definitely. When I was growing up the only thing you ever heard about from the Bible regarding homosexuals was that they don’t inherit the kingdom of God. That’s the one thing that rings in my head from childhood. So when I found out that there was a local Exodus ministry, that there was help for people like me, I jumped at it.

 

New Man: So years later you have come back to be the president of Exodus?

 

Chambers: Yes, I’m the president of Exodus. Really from the time I was 18 until now—I’m 36—I’ve never left the ministry. I started out as someone who was participating and someone who needed help and then I was a volunteer, than on staff at a local ministry and worked through the ranks and to where I am now.

 

New Man: Your ministry is inherently controversial. You have been interviewed by a number of news outlets and you’re unapologetic about trying to change homosexuals. What is your response to someone who says, “They can’t change”?

 

Chambers: Well my first response is that we don’t change people. I want to be very clear about that. We are people who simply point to the truth and Scripture, to the truth of our testimonies and to the grace of a God who promises He’ll free anyone who submits his will to His Lordship. It will be different for different people. I know a lot of people that didn’t experience a change in their feelings. They didn’t experience the same freedom I did, which is sometimes hard to understand.

Read the whole interview >>

South FL High School Doesn't Have to Allow GSA on Campus

Okeechobiee, FL:

Okeechobee High School no longer needs to allow the Gay-Straight Alliance to meet on campus while the club’s lawsuit is pending, a judge ruled Tuesday.

Recent court filings in the federal case have revealed the club no longer has any more members at the school and a judge recently agreed to take the club’s name off the lawsuit. The suit still continues in the name of former president Yasmin Gonzalez, though the school district is trying to have her removed from the case because she already graduated.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed the suit on behalf of Gonzalez and the club in November 2006 under the Equal Access Act, saying their rights were violated by not allowing them to meet on campus. The school district has argued the school’s principal had the authority to ban the club because it conflicted with the school’s abstinence-only teaching policy and also raised concerns about sexual discussions occurring at club meetings.

Read the whole article >>

APA: No Consensus on Cause of Homosexuality

From CitizenLink:

Group gives credence to the view that both nature and nurture are involved.

The American Psychological Association (APA) may be shifting from its view that homosexuality is inborn. The group now says both nature and nurture are involved, and clients have a right to self-determination.

In a new brochure, the APA concedes that there is no scientific consensus on what causes same-sex attraction.

“They are starting to have the integrity of reporting accurately about the condition of homosexuality," said Randy Thomas, executive vice president of Exodus International. "We find this to be a very exciting move and hope that it indicates future movement toward recognizing that people can and do overcome homosexuality.” 

Glenn Stanton, director of global family formation studies at Focus on the Family, said the brochure has an activist bent, but he sees a ray of hope.

“This doesn’t mean that we’ve completely succeeded in all the things that we’ve wanted to," he said, "but it’s a move in the direction that we’ve wanted them to move in, and I think that’s very positive news.”

Homosexuals Appose Evangelical Youth Event

From Journal Chretien:

A public row concerning an evangelical youth festival and homosexuality has developed in Germany. The federal Parliament, the Bundestag in Berlin, has discussed the subject twice during question time.

Approximately 20,000 young people are expected to attend Christival in Bremen, April 30 – May 4. One of numerous seminars and workshops was supposed to deal with the subject of a change of sexual orientation for homosexuals who are disenchanted with their lifestyle.

But Volker Beck, Parliamentary whip of the Greens in the Bundestag and a practicing homosexual, took offense. He regards “therapy” for homosexuals as “dangerous charlatanism”.

Read the whole article >>

Exodus Representatives Participate in Documentary Screening

"For the Bible Tells Me So," a documentary about Christian families who were faced with a homosexual child, and ultimately grew to embrace their homosexuality, was presented at an open screening at Stetson University last week. The screening was followed by a discussion panel featuring the film's director, Daniel Karslake. Among the other panelists were Mike Ensley of Exodus Youth and Dr. Julie Hamilton, a professional counselor affiliated with Exodus.

From the Daytona Beach News-Journal Online:

Overall, the movie won praise from both the conservative and liberal panel members.

"I loved that the core of it was families' stories," said Mike Ensley, a counselor with Exodus Ministries, which helps youth wanting to overcome homosexuality.

The documentary focuses on five Christian families coming to terms with a gay son or daughter. Just released on DVD, it's becoming a popular movie for church screenings, said filmmaker Daniel Karslake...

...Dissenting about some of the movie's science was Julie Harren Hamilton, a Palm Beach psychologist and president-elect of the National Association for the Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, which helps clients change their sexual orientation.

She disputed the suggestion that homosexuality is simply genetic, arguing that the causes are more complicated.

Karslake, the filmmaker, defended his research but agreed with Hamilton that everyone should study the issues for themselves and draw their own conclusions.

Meet an Exodus Ministry

Like many of Exodus' local Member Ministries, New Creation Ministries in Fresno, California serves people struggling with a broad range of sexual issues, not just homosexuality. Here's an excerpt from the most recent monthly letter from NCM's Director, Russell Willingham:

People come here at every stage of their healing journey. Some are brand new and terrified. Others have been in recovery for awhile but experience a huge breakthrough. Still others are in a place of spiritual and relational health for the first time in their lives and praising God for it...

"William" has been here for a year. Raised in a violent, alcoholic home he experienced things that no boy should ever see. It taught him not to trust anyone or ever let them in. In his loneliness he turned to any woman who would have him (being attractive and likable enabled him to have many such women). A few years ago he came to Christ and eventually came to NCM for help with his sexual sin and brokenness.

William devours his Bible and has a thirst for God bust has never really felt God's personal love for him... Being in counseling and group has helped but the biggest breakthroughs have come through worship. During the regular worship times in our weekly groups he has felt the Lord draw nearer and nearer. William beams now as he shares about God's love for him...

I don't have time to tell you about "Nancy" who has struggled since childhood with lesbianism and a hatred for her body--who is now in love and letting a man into her heart for the first time; or "Eric," the Mormon elder and life-long sex addict who is finding answers that years of therapy and church involvement never gave him.

These are the kinds of people you enable us to help through your giving and praying...

The real ministry of Exodus International takes place at the local level through our many affiliates who support, encourage and challenge the struggling individuals and families who come to them for help. Please prayerfully consider finding the Exodus affiliate in your area and asking the Lord if and how he would like you to support their vital work.

Russell Willingham has also written two outstanding books, Breaking Free and Relational Masks, both of which are available at the Exodus Bookstore.