UPDATE 7:30pm EDT: 7 names added: Joe Dallas, Karen Booth, Dean Greer, Patrick Kennedy, Jason Thompson, Katherine Allen, Nancy Brown and links to Exodus blog coverage and other resources added.
UPDATE March 25th, 12:15pm EDT: 5 names added: Ron Dennis, Tammie Blanchette, Leslie Gunby, Tye Gamey and Bonnie Doebly, list formatted to read easier.
—Begin—
Due to the continued threat of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009, introduced before the Ugandan parliament on October 14, 2009, and bills like it in other nations, the Board of Directors of Exodus International and its North American membership felt a vital need to issue the following statement ( This statement is still open to Exodus International North American leaders to add their signature. If you would like to do so please email Alan at acha...@exodusinternational.org ):
“Exodus International believes that every human life, regardless of an individual’s sexual behavior, is of inestimable worth to God and that defending this principle is foundational in offering a Christian response to any issue. As such, Exodus International has not and will not support any legislation that deprives others of life and dignity including, but not limited to, Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009. We stand with all who are defending this basic, biblical tenet and remain committed to sharing the compassion, hope and life-giving truth and grace of Jesus Christ.
“In November of 2009, several of us sent a letter to Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and First Lady Musenevi expressing our concerns regarding The Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009. The legislation would render some homosexual practices crimes punishable by life imprisonment and possible death. We believe that sexual crimes against children, whether committed by someone of the same or opposite sex, are the most serious of offenses and should be punished; we consider same-sex behavior in consensual adult relationships another matter.
Since the Bible clearly states that homosexual behavior was not part of God’s creative intent for human sexual expression, the Christian church must remain a safe, compassionate and confidential place. If homosexual behavior and knowledge of such behavior is criminalized and prosecuted, as proposed in this bill, church and ministry leaders will be unable to assist hurting men, women and youth who might otherwise seek help in addressing this personal issue. The Christian church must be permitted to extend the love and compassion of Christ to all, regardless of an individual’s adherence to scripture. We believe that such legislation would make this mission a difficult, if not impossible, task to carry out.
Many of us, and those we know and work with, have personally struggled with same-sex attractions and some have lived as gay-identified individuals, but we have since found a new identity in Jesus Christ. We now live our lives to reflect the transformation that is available to those who submit their mind, will and emotions to the Lordship of Christ. We sincerely believe that such transformation cannot be achieved in an environment of government coercion where the vital support, care and compassion of the Christian community is discouraged and prosecuted. In addition, it wasn’t through coercion that Christ set us free, but through the gracious invitation He extended to us for relationship and the freedom He gave us to choose our own path.
Alan Chambers
President
Exodus InternationalRev. Bob Ragan
Director
Regeneration of Northern Virginia
Chairman of the Board, Exodus International
Exodus Membership CouncilMike Goeke
Counseling Pastor
Stonegate Fellowship
Vice Chairman of the Board, Exodus InternationalJayson Graves, M.MFT
Christian counselor & Neurotherapist
Healing for the Soul
Secretary of the Board, Exodus InternationalRon Dennis
Director
Theophilus Ministries
Board Member, Exodus International
Also a Founding Board Member of Exodus InternationalClark and Martha Whitten
Pastor
Grace Church
Treasurer of the Board, Exodus InternationalJeff Winter
Board Member, Exodus International
Founder, One by OneDon and Diana Schmierer
Board Members, Exodus InternationalBob Stith
National Strategist for Gender Issues
Southern Baptist Convention
Chairman of the Board , Living Hope Ministries
Board Member, Exodus InternationalMelissa A. Ingraham, MA, NCC
Mental Health Counselor
Christian Counseling CenterMcKrae Game
Executive Director
Truth MinistryDave and Diane Rasmussen
Co-Directors
Simon MinistriesTony Moore
Mid-Atlantic Regional Coordinator
Exodus InternationalTommy Corman
Executive Director
Love In Action InternationalJim Katsoudas
Executive Director
Clean Heart MinistriesKenny Warkentin
Resource Outreach Coordinator
Living Waters Central RegionGregory C. Wallace
Executive Director
Hope & New Life MinistriesMark Culligan
Founder
New Hearts OutreachTammi Wilds
Interim Director
New Hearts OutreachRyan Ortega
Client Relations & Technical Support
New Hearts OutreachBob Jones,
Executive Director
Fresh Word MinistriesRon Smith
Director
New Hope MinistriesRussell Willingham
Executive Director
New Creation MinistriesMike Levenhagen
Director
Reclamation Resource CenterRichard Holloman
Executive Director
The Sight MinistryBillie Jimenez
Florida Regional Coordinator
Exodus InternationalJudy Williams
Co-director
In His Time MinistrySonia Balcer
Director
Safe PassageWarren Lamb, Th.M.
Pastor, Truth In Love Fellowship
Director, Vancouver Bible InstituteStephen Black
Director
First Stone Ministries
Exodus Membership CouncilJim Venice
Executive Director
Pure Heart MinistriesJerry Armelli
Director
Prodigal MinistriesMichael R. Newman
Executive Director
Christian Coalition for ReconciliationAllen Hildreth
Director
Walking in Freedom MinistriesLewis E. Palmer & Carol A. Palmer
Director and Co-Director
Love and Grace MinistryJim Duran
Lead Pastor
The River CommunityJoe Dallas
Genesis Biblical Counseling
Tustin, CADean Greer
National Coordinator, Living Waters USA
Desert Stream MinistriesPatrick Kennedy
Co-Director
Bright Hope MinistriesJason Thompson
Executive Director
Portland FellowshipKatherine M. Allen
Founder/Executive Director
Sought Out, Inc.Nancy K. Stanfield Brown
Exodus Regional Co-ordinator -Texas Region
Life+Guard Ministries Office ManagerTammie Blanchette
Damascus Road Ministry Director
Park Avenue Baptist ChurchLeslie Gunby
CEO
Waiting Room Minister
Exodus International Regional CoordinatorTye Gamey
Director
Living Waters Canada Central RegionBonnie Doebley
Director
Out of the Depths MinistryRandy Thomas
Executive Vice President
Exodus InternationalPaula Mcnabb
Director of Business and Public Affairs
Exodus InternationalDavid Fountain
Senior Director of Communications and Events
Exodus InternationalLeslie Chambers
Director of Ministry Events
Exodus InternationalChris Stump
Director of Exodus Books
Exodus InternationalJeff Buchanan
Director of Church Association
Exodus InternationalAngela Buchanan
Director of Communications
Exodus InternationalKristin Tremba
Director of One By One
Exodus InternationalKaren Booth
Director of Transforming Congregations
Exodus InternationalDr. Marc Dillworth
Director of the Professional Counselor Network
Exodus InternationalTerri Brown
Director of Exodus Membership
Exodus InternationalKaren Eaglin
Director of Equipping Events
Exodus InternationalPaul Webster
Director of Ministry Advancement
Exodus InternationalYvette Schneider
Director of Women’s Ministry
Exodus InternationalAmber Russelburg
Exodus InternationalMelissa Condrey
Exodus International
MORE:
Soulforce Agrees with Exodus about Uganda
President Obama & Secretary Clinton Speak Out Against “Odious” Ugandan Bill
New York Times Picks up Uganda Story
Rick Warren Graciously and Strongly Denounces Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Rachel Maddow vs. Richard Cohen – Interview Review & Missing the Point About Uganda
Rachel Maddow, Uganda and Me – Guest Post by Don Schmierer
Don Schmierer Added to Letter Opposing Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Charisma News Online Picks Up Ugandan Story
Exodus International Sends Letter Opposing Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Martin Ssempa Should Renounce Support for Proposed Ugandan Criminalization of Homosexuality
Ugandan Government Poised to Harshly Prosecute Homosexuals
PLUS:
Dr. Warren Throckmorton has started a Facebook group as a central point for news and information on the subject.
About Alan Chambers
Does Exodus also oppose the Mosaic Law, which called for the death penalty for homosexual behavior?
It’s sad that Exodus can’t see that legalizing homosexuality in the United States has resulted in disease, addiction, depression, suicide and earlier death among those with homosexual desires.
The law defines what is acceptable within a culture and the Bible states homosexuality is not something that should be acceptable or legal.
Dear Ones All,
Stoning never saved a soul or redeemed a sinner. We live under the New Covenant in Christ. I am with the Exodus board on this, mercy and love in Christ must provide refuge and redemption for every sinner.
Dear Ones All,
Stoning never saved a soul or redeemed a sinner. We live under the New Covenant in Christ. I am with the Exodus board on this, mercy and love in Christ must provide refuge and redemption for every sinner.