A Message to the Church
WELCOME TO BEACON MINISTRIES!
Beacon Ministries is an Apostolic-based outreach for all men and women who desire and seek for themselves freedom from a life of homosexuality. Many believe that homosexuality should be either unconditionally accepted or, to the other extreme, completely condemned as an “unforgivable sin.” Beacon Ministries, however, holds to God’s biblical truths concerning sexuality while offering God’s unconditional love and support to those who struggle with same-sex temptations. It is our desire to help gays and lesbians discover the awesome power of God’s love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness.
History
In the past and even today, many churches view homosexuality as “worse” than any other sin: that it is “unforgivable” and that a person could not be set free from homosexual actions and behaviors. There was so much stigma, stereotyping, fear, and ignorance which paralyzed the Church. Everyone hid their head in the sand and hoped this issue would go away. Well, it has not gone away and pastors from all over the country have had to deal with the issue with seemingly no help or support.
Churches and society have vacillated between two “extremes:” either the homosexual is hopeless and going to hell (they hate the sin AND the sinner), or it’s OK to be involved in homosexual activities and behaviors, having total acceptance, ordaining Gay pastors, and approving of gay “unions and marriages.”
The Truth
What those with same-sex temptations really need is a “new” message of hope. It’s not a “new” message at all. It is simply the truth of God’s Word: 1) Homosexuality is sin, just like a thousand other behaviors that separate us from God; 2) All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God; 3) Jesus loves you, He died on a cross for you, and He wants to save you and deliver you from your sin; 4) Victory over sin is through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ; 5) We, the church, love you and are willing to help you and support you, while you grow in Christ.
The Church must stop trying to “sweep homosexuality under the rug”. Though it may be uncomfortable at first, we need to start talking about it openly as we do with any other sin. We need to teach the truth of God’s Word, what it really says about all sin, and we need to educate and disciple people who want to be saved.
In the past we treated alcoholics, drug addicts, prostitutes, and unwed mothers much the same way that we continue treating gays and lesbians today. Today however, we have church-endorsed programs to help people through addictions and other sins in their lives. We love them and we support them. Now it’s time to take the next step and open our arms, our love, and our church doors to those who struggle with same-sex temptations and who seek to live a life of holiness by the power of the Holy Ghost!
Demographics
Homosexuality is not an isolated issue. It’s in all our churches, in every State, and in every foreign country. It’s not “just in the church down the road.” It’s at every level within the Church from those sitting on the back pew all the way up to Elders and Sunday School Teachers; Music Directors, Youth Pastors, and Assistant Pastors, and yes, even some of Pastors and Missionaries. Sin knows no bounds. Homosexuality has an impact not only on the individual who struggles with it, but it also has a tremendous emotional impact on their family members, parents, children, spouses, and fellow church members.
The two largest groups of individuals with same-sex temptations that we work with are:
1. Those who used to be in our churches, baptized in Jesus Name, and filled with the Holy Ghost. They were full of fear: fear of rejection and fear of being made fun of. They hung on for as long as they could, all alone. They were not able to share. They did not have support. Eventually they left the church and made their way into the world. They want to come back to God and they want to come back home.
2. Those who are baptized in Jesus Name, filled with the Holy Ghost, and presently attending our churches. They are doing the best they can while still struggling with same-sex temptations, all alone, and without any support. It’s only a matter of time until they too will leave the church and turn to the arms of the world.
Both groups want help. They want to be right with God and be a part of the Church. What they are looking for is a message of hope: a message that says “we wish to help you gain victory over your struggle.”
What Can the Church Do?
Salvation begins in the House of God. It must begin with us changing our mindset. What good does it do if we reach out to the gay community and bring them in if the Church is not prepared to support them?
Someone suggested: “It is perhaps less important to know what is ‘right and wrong’ morally speaking, than to know how to act toward those we consider ‘wrong”; We have failed to offer Christ to the gay and lesbian community. We have also failed by giving the impression that orientation change and reparative therapy is the solution. Sanctification is not getting rid of our temptations but pursuing holiness in the midst of them. If our goal is making people straight, then we are practicing a false gospel. The opposite of “homosexuality” is not “heterosexuality”, it’s holiness!
Ministry and outreach to the Gay community must begin with the local Pastor. It is time to stop making fun of the “queers and fags” from the pulpit. It is time to stop listing the “top 100 reasons” why gays are so bad and going to hell. It is time to start adding homosexuality to the list of sins from which God can deliver people. It’s time to change to a message of hope: a message that says with God it is possible.
Evangelism and Revival
Effective evangelism to homosexuals begins in the pulpit and flows into the congregation and then to those who are struggling. There is a revival just waiting to take place. The revival will begin with those within our churches who are struggling and then to the backsliders and then to those who have never known the full truth as we know it. It will be a revival of those who are “undesirable:” the outcasts and the misfits, the drug addicts, alcoholics, prostitutes, homosexuals, unwed mothers, homeless, mentally ill, etc. Jesus said to go into the highways and byways and compel them to come. It’s called revival!
What Can Beacon Ministries Do for the Church?
There are several services that Beacon Ministries provides to individuals, Pastors, and churches:
1. Support to the individual who is struggling with same-sex temptations, through our website and individual email support and counseling.
2. Support to family members and friends of individuals who are struggling with homosexuality.
3. Serve as an information, support and resource center for Pastors and churches.
If you would like more information about Beacon Ministries, please feel free to contact us. We are here to support our churches with a balanced and effective approach to reaching out to gays, lesbians, and their loved ones.
We understand how important it is to hold true to the Word of God while at the same time, reaching out with “love and compassion” to those who are desperately wanting to be set free from sin.
