Jesus Gets a Witness at KC's 'Gay Pride' Event
by Dwight Widaman
July 10, 2006
(AgapePress) - - Kansas City is only 60 miles west of Topeka, home to the nationally renowned -- even if not universally respected -- Rev. Fred Phelps and his "gay"-antagonist church. His website, GodHatesFags.com, leaves no one to doubt his stand on homosexuality any more than do the homosexual-bashing placards he and his flock display shamelessly at homosexual gatherings. But it was a clown, not Phelps, who brought a Bible message to the revelers on June 6 at "Gay Pride Kansas City."
The clown, who will only identify himself as "JM" ("Jesus' Messenger") talked like he actually had a good time as he strolled the grounds, dressed in a rainbow-colored shirt that announced "Jesus is still SettingCaptivesFree.com" on the back. During an interview, our clown says he encountered no resistance as he blanketed better than 200 windshields with business cards announcing the website "PeopleCanChange.com" and a peppermint candy kiss attached.
Q: Why would you even try to penetrate such an event?
JM: Well, why not? Would you refuse to share Jesus at a state fair?
Q: Well, no. But the state fair isn't promoting and glamorizing sin.
JM: True. So are you saying you might consider passing out tracts in a bar, but you would never enter a gay bar? Have we forgotten that without Jesus, none of the nice people at the state fair is sheltered from the wrath of almighty God against sin? People aren't lost because they engage in sex with a same-sex partner. We all do that which grieves and breaks the heart of God because we are born in a compromised state, thanks to Adam.
Gay people won't get to heaven if they merely were to get married [to an opposite-sex partner] any more than a promiscuous playboy goes to heaven because he finally settles down and marries. It's not married, church-going people who go to heaven; it's the redeemed, the born-again. Jesus is our ticket -- our only ticket, if you will. And theirs as well.
Q: But why this approach? Doesn't it underplay the seriousness of sin and repentance?
JM: You may have noticed that the gay world is becoming organized, vocal, and, shall we say, ready to pick a fight. But I wasn't sent to rain on their parade -- any more than Jesus went to the Cana wedding to lecture on drunkenness. (By the way, either more guests appeared at the wedding than expected or else the ones invited were drinking more than anticipated, for the wine to have run out.)
The gay world is used to and prepared to hear that their lifestyle is offensive. But it's hard to hate a clown!
It's not that most of them wouldn't change if they could -- they would! But (1) they don't know how, and (2) I've never seen victory come to a homosexual's life without Jesus being prominent in the equation.
Bottom line: Don't tell them something they've already heard time and time again. Tell them something they haven't heard. Tell them that Jesus loves them -- despite the fact that they've lied, cheated, gossiped, slandered -- oh yes, and engaged in sex outside of marriage. Tell them they don't need to die gay! Not all of them are activists. Many of them still want out, as they have ever since they recognized their proclivities.
Q: Do you believe there is a gay gene?
JM: Nonsense. If the Word of God was silent on this issue, we might want to line up with the rest of them and "wait and see." But there is no gay gene waiting to be discovered. Nor ever was. Neither are there little green men on Mars.
Q: What would you want to say to the rest of us who don't regularly minister to homosexuals but might encounter a sincere gay struggler sometime?
JM: Something anyone can do is to have memorized a web address so that you can share it at an appropriate time. You don't have to have all the answers. You don't have to beat them in an argument. Share a website with them where they can get help if they're interested/open/curious. And then pray for them. It's that simple!
Q: Do you suggest "Exodus" maybe?
JM: Exodus Ministries is good -- excellent, actually. But I don't use them as a first resort, simply because they are so well known. The gay world is aware of Exodus and has already thrown its full weight into discrediting Exodus' ministry. If your gay friend has already heard of Exodus, what he heard was slanted to "warn" him of this "dangerous" organization. Hopefully though he will eventually make contact with Exodus. They are a good group. [See suggested website resources below]
Q: Would you do anything differently if you were to attend Gay Pride next year?
JM: You mean, other than take 600 cards and candy next time? Yeah! I'd wear lots of sunscreen in addition to face paint. That way my nose won't remain red when I remove the paint!
RESOURCES FOR THOSE MINISTERING TO THE HOMOSEXUAL COMMUNITY
Cross Ministry
Exodus International
INqUEERY
Love In Action
Love Won Out
Pure Life Ministries
Steven Bennett Ministries
Dr. Warren Throckmorton
Dwight Widaman is editor of the Metro Voice, a 17-year-old, award-winning Christian newspaper based in Kansas City, Missouri. This article is printed with the permission of the newspaper.
