Illinois Pro-Family Group Plans Christian Outreach at 'Gay Games'
by Mary Rettig
July 14, 2006
(AgapePress) - - The president of the Illinois Family Institute (IFI) says Christians will be countering the upcoming Gay Games events in Chicago with a "Truth and Love Offensive." The Gay Games, a loose interpretation of an Olympics, strictly for homosexuals, will run from July 15 through July 22 in the Windy City.
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Peter LaBarbera |
Peter LaBarbera, president of IFI, says his organization was determined not to stand by and let the Gay Games pass without telling homosexuals there is freedom in Christ. One of the ways the group hopes to get this message across is by involving individuals who have left the homosexual lifestyle and who now minister to others struggling with unwanted same-sex attractions."We have three former homosexuals who will be coming to our Truth and Love Offensive," LaBarbera notes. "One is Linda Jernigan, a former lesbian who was in the lifestyle for 19 years and now ... has a website called 'RescuingHomosexuals.org.'"
Also lined up, LaBarbera says, is James Hartline, whom the IFI spokesman describes as "a wonderful former homosexual who is rooting out the corruption in the gay community in San Diego," and Greg Quinlan, "a former gay man who runs the Pro-Family Network in Ohio."
Others taking part in the Truth and Love Offensive include local church members, who will be present at the Gay Games, handing out bottled water and tracts and talking with the athletes and spectators. The purpose of all these efforts, LaBarbera emphasizes, is to show homosexuals that Christ offers hope and that no one has to be "gay."
The Illinois pro-family leader is hopeful that, through this outreach, people at the homosexual athletic event will encounter people reaching out to them in love rather than condemning them. Unfortunately, he points out, some groups claiming to be Christian have confronted homosexuals with a very different approach.
"The message that Fred Phelps has -- you know, the 'God Hates Fags' message -- is erroneous and it's not Christian," LaBarbera asserts. "We know that people like that will be out at the Gay Games," he says, "and so we're trying to come out with an articulate response."
Also, LaBarbera notes, several former homosexuals will be involved in the effort, taking the opportunity to testify to God's deliverance from the dangerous, homosexual lifestyle. The IFI spokesman believes that by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ at the Gay Games, they will be able to confront many people with the truth about homosexuality in a way that will both demonstrate love and offer them hope.
Mary Rettig, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
