Ex-Gay Ministry Expands Reach Through Merger
"The compassionate truth of the gospel is still the hope of the world today," said Alan Chambers (pictured), president of Exodus International. "Together, we hope to advance a new era in the global Christian church that is defined by God's truth as well as His heart for hurting individuals experiencing confusion and conflict about their sexuality."In recent decades, both denominations have seen increasingly vocal segments of their memberships lean toward a more liberal theology that embraces homosexuality. But Exodus leaders say the merger could help the ministry better reach those groups with more effective resources that promote a biblically orthodox view of sexuality.
Transforming Congregations and One by One will function essentially as departments within Exodus' church-equipping ministry.
"Part of the merger understanding is that we will retain our own identity and focus on missions," said the Rev. Karen Booth, executive director of Transforming Congregations, which has been affiliated with Exodus since 2000. "We still will be working within the United Methodist Church or with churches from the Wesleyan heritage. ... I hope with Exodus working with us, we will be a bit more strategic in our outreach."
Randy Thomas, executive vice president of Exodus International, said the ministry also hopes to reduce the culture-war dichotomy that casts Christians as either condemning homosexuals or uncritically embracing the gay lifestyle.
"While the culture war has taken us into a polarization of either condemning the sin or condoning the behavior, Exodus and these groups are speaking into it redemptively and we're saying we can hold on to truth but at the same time have compassion, have grace, have mercy and have resources available to those who do want to overcome homosexuality," he told Charisma.
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