“Ex-Crack User Now Gets Rush From Helping Others In Need”. A few years ago, that was headline I clipped from a local newspaper. I seldom read the newspaper, but the article’s title stuck in my brain. When someone breaks free from drug or alcohol addiction, there is cause for celebration. There is even greater joy when that same person devotes their life to rescuing others caught in addiction. I kept the article as a reminder of the rescue mission God has placed before me. I am an Ex-Gay man who gets a rush from helping others leave their LGBT lives behind. There is no chance of that headline making it to print. In today’s world the headline might read:
“Ex-Gay People; Don’t Exist” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
“Gay People Can’t Change” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
“Ex-Gays Were Most Likely Never Gay At All”. (John 9:18)
These lies have been spoken over me by friends and enemies alike. Each one, a finely crafted, satanic weapon, discrediting the fact that God encouraged me to leave my gay life and then Jesus helped. The scripture proceeding our devilish headlines helps me discern the truth. Jesus used scripture to rebuke satan in the wilderness; I follow His example.
The secular world may be on the attack, but the modern-day church does damage by remaining silent. It is discouraging when a pastor acknowledges every other ministry from the pulpit, but avoids any mention of Ex-LGBT ministry. The work we do is vital. Some pastors applaud us behind the scenes, but more often than not, it is a lonely life for us in the church.
My ministry is an extension of a scriptural calling that God has placed on my life. Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound…”. I love hearing the testimonies of sexual healing and redemption and seeing hard, angry faces soften in response to the Holy Spirit.
Here are some honest questions Christian brothers and sisters.
What if God suddenly answered our prayers concerning the gay community?
What if when the church doors opened, thousands of LGBT men and women showed up ready to hear the good news of the gospel? How would you respond? With rejoicing or condescension? With love or indifference? More importantly, “Would you be ready?” The simple answer to that question is ‘No’.
Do we even understand what we are praying concerning the LGBT community? Are we praying for them to turn from their “wicked” ways or praying that they would encounter the transforming love of Jesus? Until the church deals honestly and openly with our own hurt and pain, we will never be equipped properly to deal with the hurt and pain of the gay community. When Christians trade “smiling faces” for “confessional hearts” revival will begin. We are often blinded to the hurt and pain of the LGBT community, by our judgement of their actions. Do we as a Christian community understand that the LGBT community is hurting? Do we care?
I can look back now and realize that as a gay man, satan offered me substitutions for real love. My early life experiences and the broken people around me were bad examples of real love. So much so that I had trouble distinguishing real love from the fake stuff. Scripture says that if a person is hungry, then even bad food tastes delicious. The same goes for love. I was so starved for someone to love and validate me, that I fell for the first person that stroked my hair, looked me in the eyes and listened. By the age of 18, I was gorging on relational garbage and treating it like a delicacy. The LGBT community is made of up of individuals just like me. They are your sons, daughters, aunts, uncles and on occasion, your parents. Each of them contains a soul, precious to God.
The full acronym of LGBT is LGBTQQIP2SAA. You won’t find an E in there for Ex-gay. Apparently universal inclusivity and tolerance has limits. For a second, though, let’s focus on the second ‘A’. It stands for Allies. “Allies are individuals who recognize that community thrives best with loving supporters.”* Wow! I got excited when I read that. How amazing would ministry to the LGBT community be if ministries like Big Fish had Christians in the church who weren’t afraid to stand alongside us as Allies. Christians who realize that ministry thrives best with loving supporters.
Until the headlines speak the truth, God calls us to share the good news. Whether through a march on Washington D.C., a simple conversation in Starbucks or a long distance call across the waves. The truth of the gospel will not be silenced. And neither should we.
*Definition of Allies found on the Website, Social Justice for All.
