Daily, the Exodus team is asked to explain who Exodus is, what we do, and why we do what we do? As we begin to explain, we often start seeing that puzzled look that we’re so used to seeing. And then the usual responses begin with, “you mean there are really people who struggle with unwanted homosexuality? People can find freedom from that?” Then, we’ll either get the response of “well, that’s just not possible” or “I didn’t know people could struggle with same sex attractions.” On a few occasions, we’ll get the positive response of a quick, “thank you for your ministry” or “yes, I’ve heard of you guys and I have a friend who was helped by one of the ministries in your referral network.” The latter is obviously what we would like to hear more of, but overall most people have never heard of or met anyone struggling with homosexuality.
Recently, I received an e-newsletter from one of our member ministries, Clean Heart Ministries in Charlotte, NC. I’m very familiar with the leaders of this ministry and continue to be encouraged by their humility and commitment to providing ministry support to people affected by homosexuality in their local community. In this newsletter, a guy named Graham shares what the Lord has done in his life through their ministry.
For the first 20 years of my life I kept a shameful secret in my heart that I refused to share with anyone. The secret made me feel unclean, unwanted and unlovable. Some nights I would weep myself to sleep begging God to take the unwanted desires away – to make me like the other guys. I just wanted to be normal. I was pretty good at hiding this secret. You’d never guess it from my outward appearance. Only when you started asking too many questions would I throw up walls or change the subject. My greatest fear was for people to find out the real me. If they only knew I was attracted to other men, I feared my life would be over. Fear of rejection from friends, family or co-workers – even Christians. I slowly allowed fear to rule my life. Apart from a few close friends that the Lord blessed me with to share our burdens, things may have turned for the worse.
Last March, a friend recommended I contact Clean Heart. I met individually with some of the lay counselors and we began the journey of soul restoration. While I had been a Christian since a young age, I had never discussed many of my life experiences and feelings that contributed to same-sex attractions with anyone. They helped me unpack many of the lies I believed about myself and directed me to the source of truth and healing – our Lord Jesus Christ. The more I realize what a dreadful sinner I am, the more I cannot seem to fathom how great the love of Christ is for me, that he would take the penalty for my sin upon himself.
The most important thing I learned at Clean Heart was to focus my eyes on Jesus and develop my relationship with Him – not the lies, temptations and desires of the flesh. It is only Christ that can heal the deepest wounds of our hearts and restore us to new life in Him
I love that Graham shared that it’s only through Christ that we can discover true healing, restoration, and redemption. Exodus doesn’t “change” people. Only God can change a person’s heart, identity, perceptions, motivations, and desires. We simply surrender ourselves to His lordship as His humble servants to minister to people who desperately need a Savior. We’re facilitators who provide basic discipleship and biblical guidance to a group of people who are often overlooked or unknown in the body of Christ.
Graham isn’t alone and he’s certainly not the only story I could have shared. Every day, there are thousands of people impacted by the ministry of Exodus through our member ministries, Churches, and counselors. So, the chance that you too may meet or already know someone who is struggling or has overcome homosexuality is pretty great.
Today, would you prayerfully consider contacting your local Exodus ministry, Church, or counselor and share a word of encouragement to them? Please pray for and thank the leaders who are serving on the frontlines and providing ministry support to people, like Graham, in your local community.
About David Fountain
