Fashioning A Compassionate Response ~ One Day Seminar Concerning Homosexuality ~ by First Stone Ministries – April 10, 2010
What to Expect
Have you ever wondered how to address homosexuality in your church, community or family? Having over 25 years of experience with this issue, First Stone Ministries, in partnership with Bryant Avenue Baptist Church, is offering a one-day seminar to cover these topics so you too can Fashion a Compassionate Response. Seminar will include worship, teachings, testimonies, panel discussion, resources and lunch.
Sessions will include:
- Understanding Homosexuality
- How to Minister to the Person Struggling with Homosexuality
- Theology: Ours and Theirs – Answering the “Gay Christian” Question Biblically
- Answering the Need – How Then Shall We Respond?
Schedule
8:00 – 8:30 – Worship
8:30 – 9:30 – Session One
9:45 – 10:45 – Session Two
11:00 – 12:00 – Q & A
12:00 – 1:00 – Lunch at Church
1:15 – 1:45 – Worship
1:45 – 2:45 – Session Three
3:00 – 4:00 – Session Four
4:15 – 5:00 – Panel Discussion
Cost
Love offering will be taken
Registration Required
(we need to reserve resources and lunch)
Register with First Stone Ministries at Eventbrite.com OR (405) 236-4673
Appropriate Minimum Seminar Age Attendance: 14 with parental/guardian presence or prior written consent; (otherwise 18 and above).
When
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Where
Bryant Avenue Baptist Church
4748 S Bryant Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73135
(405) 672-4511
Freedom from Homosexuality – A Letter to OKC Gazette Editor
Several years ago I meet Louis Hommel who had already started his journey with God in walking away from homosexuality. I had the honor and privilege to spend time serving Louis in discipleship care and support group ministry within First Stone Ministries. I am so proud of how consistent and diligent Louis has been in seeking Christ as Savior and Lord of his life and his sexuality. Many of us who have left homosexuality behind embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ Gospel communicates clearly that we must deny ourselves and live our lives separate from the desires of the world, the flesh and sensual powers. As people who used to identify as gay; we are on a journey looking for eternity and not the momentary pleasures of this life that is offered by the “gay” Gospel proponents. The “gay gospel” is a false gospel and a dangerous message Biblically. However, there is hope! I want to share with you the excellent letter written by Louis Hommel that he shared with the Oklahoma City Gazette. The letter was published a few weeks ago, however it was edited down. Therefore I asked Louis’ permission to post the entire letter, here it is:
—
A Letter to the Editor by Louis Hommel
In his letter last week Thomas Furlong makes a valid point, homosexuals are no different from other sinners and since all of us have fallen short of the glory of God, this is a message of hope! For many people who are Christian by identity and troubled by a homosexual inclination, the church’s message that it is sinful is a message of hope because God can help you stop sinning. The Church does not condemn people with a homosexual inclination by labeling it sin, it empowers them to gain control of their lives. This is not a theoretical argument because there are people who choose to leave homosexuality and have chosen the church to help them. Tolerance and respect for diversity is not a one way street and we should practice real compassion by giving them the respect they deserve. They have not been “led astray” by the church and “tricked” into adopting so called “homophobic” attitudes. They are discouraged by their experience of living a gay life and have chosen to leave of their own free will. When we blame the church we overlook these people and fail to realize that the church is meeting their demand to provide ministry for them.
In Mr. Batchelder’s letter he claims that the American Medical Association, The American Psychological Association, The American Psychiatric Association, and the National Association of Social Workers claim that homosexuality is neither sickness nor sin. Sin is not a topic for psychology, psychiatry, social work or medicine. It is a topic for theology, which is a legitimate field of study and an authentic body of knowledge. Since theology is not a matter of opinion, we can no more decide for ourselves what is and is not sinful than we can redefine the value of pi as 3.17. All the major world religions are in agreement on the sinfulness of homosexuality, even though they made the decision separately thousands of years ago. It is this consistency in doctrine that has made religion so important in people’s lives for so many centuries.
Meanwhile psychology is less than 150 years old and has changed its mind several times on many topics including homosexuality. (Anyone remember lobotomy surgery or LSD enhanced psychotherapy, how about nude encounter groups?) Now some psychologists imagine that they are the governing body for religion? They must still be running around stoned and naked!
Religion is the guide most people choose for deciding how to live their lives. If you doubt this drive around your neighborhood and count the number of churches versus the number of counseling centers. Most psychologists can only dream of filling an arena like Billy Graham did, let alone write a book as popular as Rick Warren’s “A Purpose Driven Life” As for these organizations that claim that homosexuality is a natural trait and not a mental illness, it should be pointed out that they are professional associations and not governing bodies. It is individual states that govern licensure through licensing boards. The truth is that many psychologists offer reparative therapy for unwanted homosexual inclinations. To find out more visit the National Association for Research and Treatment of Homosexuality (www.narth.com) . Here you can find out what scientific research really shows about homosexuality. For those who may be interested in learning about 12 step recovery from homosexuality you can visit Homosexuals Anonymous at: www.ha-fs.org. (There is also help with an entire network of Christian ministries world-wide called Exodus International www.exodus.to).
For anyone who is offended by this letter, let me be the first to welcome you to America where all people have their first amendment rights to freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion and freedom to petition. I know all five rights very well because I use them on a regular basis and encourage others to do so too!
Louis Hommel is a contact person for Homosexuals Anonymous in the Oklahoma City area. He is an advocate for the right of people to choose to leave homosexuality and embrace heterosexuality. Louis is a graduate student of psychology and is working on his internship in reparative therapy. Louis can be contacted at: okccourage@yahoo.com.
—
First Stone Ministries’ Staff Proclaims Freedom from Homosexuality!
There Really Is Something to Celebrate this Month! The Gospel of Jesus Christ!
—
Staff in photo from left to right:
Stephen Black, Andrew Franklin, Laura Leigh Stanlake and Joseph Thiessen.
Freedom from Homosexuality!
Ex-gay Leaders Speak Out about FREEDOM from Homosexuality! There is help! There is freedom!
The Coming Out 4 Good YouTube Ex-gay videos have launched, with many more to come! I am very excited for the truth to be told. There is freedom in dying to this self-centered world we live. Jesus has called us to deny ourselves. There are many who are walking in denial of what Christ says, and are embracing deception in a “gay gospel.” They teach God loves you as an indication of approval for their sinful lifestyles. This was prophesied to happen in the last days, people running after teachers to tickle their ears and give them “another gospel” which is one of selfish indulgence. There is no gay gene that we are aware of to date with millions of days spent to prove it! All of this deception of denial about sexual sins only leads to destruction as is written in the Scriptures.
“You can be certain of this, you should be sure of this: that no person practicing sexual vices or impurity in thought or in life, or one who is covetous [who has lustful desire for the property of others and is greedy for gain]–for he [in effect] is an idolater–has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. You can be sure of this that no one who practices adultery, fornication, homosexuality, prostitution, lying, stealing, reviling, idolatry, covetousness or things like this will have any inheritance in God’s Heaven.” Eph 5:5 (Amp, and modern versions). (click to see 1 Cor. 6:9-11)
I really like what the late Keith Green used to say, praying prayers isn’t what saves you! Everyone prays prayers in every religion, it is loving and adoring Jesus Christ as God and King; surrendering to HIS LORDSHIP, believing in HIS sacrifice that saves us. Truly believing in HIS sacrifice alone and not in ourselves. We surrender ourselves to HIM! This is salvation to have true fellowship with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus loves us so much. He gave Himself completely to save us from the penalty of death and hell. The Scripture goes on to tell us the truth about being in denial.
Let no one delude and/or deceive you with empty excuses and groundless arguments [for all these sins], you cannot practice these sins and love God, for through these things sinful practices the wrath of God comes upon the sons of rebellion and disobedience. So do not associate or be sharers with them. For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light. Eph 5:6-8
It is not how you start a race but how you finish determines IF you win. Let us run the race in such a way as to win!
He who overcomes will receive the crown of life which the Lord promises to those who love and obey Him. James 1:12-13 & Rev. 2:10
—
click picture to watch First Stone Ministries Freedom from Sexual Brokenness Video
Left to right: Joseph Thiessen, Laura Leigh Stanlake, and Stephen Black
There is hope for those who desire freedom! Jesus Christ did not die in vain. He died so that we can live a life free now, and to have eternal life. His compassion reaches to the Heavens. God does not desire for anyone to suffer but for all to come to Him in full surrender. He loves us all. He wants us to love Him in return, with our wholeheart and with our whole-life.
A Promise from God to the False Prophets
The morning of March 28, 2009 at WWW.IHOP.ORG
I feel deep grief and brokenness over several people I have known in ministry and served who are now living under a Gospel of Self Indulgence ~ The Gay Gospel. I truly mourn over the coming judgment of those who perpetuate this false gospel, and say, “peace, peace when there is no peace” for then there will be sudden destruction with no remedy.
False Prophets of Hope Denounced: reading from Jeremiah 23:9-15
My heart is crushed within me, all my bones shake; I have become like a drunkard, like one overcome by wine, because of the LORD and because of his holy words.
For the land is full of adulterers;
because of the curse the land mourns,
and the pastures of the wilderness are dried up.
Their course has been evil,
and their might is not right.
Both prophet and priest are ungodly;
even in my house I have found their wickedness, says the LORD.
Therefore their way shall be to them
like slippery paths in the darkness,
into which they shall be driven and fall;
for I will bring disaster upon them
in the year of their punishment, says the LORD.
In the prophets of Samaria I saw a disgusting thing:
they prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray.
But in the prophets of Jerusalem
I have seen a more shocking thing:
they commit adultery and walk in lies;
they strengthen the hands of evildoers,
so that no one turns from wickedness;
all of them have become like Sodom to me,
and its inhabitants like Gomorrah.
Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets:
“I am going to make them eat wormwood,
and give them poisoned water to drink;
for from the prophets of Jerusalem
ungodliness has spread throughout the land.”
