Conferences Slated to Equip Pastors, Laity for Ministry to Homosexuals
by Allie Martin
March 31, 2006
(AgapePress) - - A North Carolina-based ministry is planning a series of conferences geared toward church pastors, staff members, and lay leaders in an effort to better equip them to minister to those who want to leave the homosexual lifestyle.
Tim Wilkins is a former homosexual who now runs Cross Ministry, which helps to equip churches to evangelize and disciple the homosexual. One of the ways Cross Ministry achieves its goal is through conferences that convey -- through personal testimony, workshops, and literature -- the reality of change for those struggling with same-sex attraction. This summer, Wilkins' ministry will hold a series of one-day conferences under the banner of "More Than Words."
Wilkins explains that the conferences will equip Christians how to better ministry to homosexuals. "The conference itself is [subtitled] 'Walking People Out of Homosexuality' -- not ... 'Walking Out of Homosexuality,'" the ministry leader explains. "If we used the title 'Walking Out of Homosexuality,' the implication ... would be that the conference is only for those who are dealing personally, in their own lives, with homosexuality."
But that is not the case, Wilkins says. "[T]his conference is for everybody -- pastors, associate pastors, church staff, professionals, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, neighbors, coworkers." The ministry website promises to get conference attendees to the "bottom line" where they can make a difference in the lives of homosexuals by "witnessing the grace, love, and power of Jesus Christ who makes 'all things new.'"
Wilkins says while Christians know homosexuality is wrong, most of them do not have the knowledge to refute homosexual propaganda -- and churches and schools, he says, are being bombarded with such misinformation in order to legitimize homosexuality.
"The emphasis [of the conference] is walking people out [of the homosexual lifestyle] rather than talking them out," he says. "Therefore, we'll be dealing with such issues as what's a parent to do when a mother, father, or guardian, or some family member learns that a son or daughter or loved one is dealing with homosexuality."
In addition, says Wilkins, the conference will touch on such issues such as untwisting so-called "gay theology." Wilkins has run up against that quite often. "Over the last 20 or 30 years, there are those who are trying to rewrite scripture in order to say that the Bible condones homosexuality," he notes.
Other topics that will be addressed at "More Than Words" include debunking the "gay gene" theory, counseling the homosexual, and offering a biblical bridge out of homosexuality. The conferences are currently scheduled to take place in Dallas, Texas (First Baptist Church, May 6); Cleveland, Ohio (Eagle Rock Church and Lakewood Chapel, July 8-9); and Raleigh, North Carolina (First Assembly of God, August 12).
Allie Martin, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
