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KEYNOTE ADDRESS: “Change of Desires: A Journey in Jesus.”
Alliance Operations Manager, Pastor Daren Mehl, delivered this powerful and compelling keynote address. Daren summarizes his journey as follows:
"...Daren Mehl, once a cultural Christian, found salvation in Jesus at 17. He later embraced "gay Christianity", living as a practicing homosexual. Through God’s grace, he married Rhoda, who also came from the LGBTQ+ community. After years of struggle, healing, and encounters with truth, Daren no longer identifies as homosexual, no longer experiencing same sex attraction, experiencing God’s transformative power. This powerful journey highlights Jesus’ ability to redeem and restore those who genuinely repent, even when they once identified as homosexual."
The keynote address was a beautiful testimony to the persistent grace of Jesus, delivered through His Spirit and people, was followed by a brief panel discussion with the evening’s presenters responding to questions. We then enjoyed a delicious “Lunch House” catered meal of soup and sliders.
Following the meal, attendees could choose two of the three breakout sessions for a 7:30 – 8:30 pm and 8:30 – 9:30 pm time slots...
BREAK-OUT SESSION A - ‘Understanding Same Sex Attraction.’
Was a video (2021) presentation by former Alliance Board President, Dr. Julie Hamilton, followed by a discussion moderated by Clinical Social Worker/College Professor, Donna VanPeursem. The content stressed that Sexual ‘orientation’ has been unscientifically promoted as unalterable by activists opposing change. Thus sexual ‘orientation’ has become ‘who’ one is, rather than ‘what’ one experiences or has. An excellent review of attachment dynamics, from early childhood on, was shown to be hugely instrumental in shaping post-puberty same sex attraction. ‘Gay’ identity is not supported by robust empirical science, nor does the gay loud shouting provide hope for those frustrated with a sense of isolation, loneliness, and unwanted same-sex attraction.
BREAK-OUT SESSION B - ‘LGBTQ+ Doctrines & Helpful Resources’
A second presentation by our esteemed Alliance Operations Manager, Pastor Daren Mehl. He reviewed the major doctrinal positions currently present in church bodies in our cultural moment. Unique labels including Side A/Side B Gay Christianity, Side Y, and Side X were exposed and resources helpful to discern the times were shared. Daren reported on extensive consultations with leaders from different denominations as they seek to audit their own church / denomination’s positions with the goal of correcting toward biblical faithfulness. A Q & A discussion wrapped up this breakout.
BREAKOUT SESSION C - ‘Jacob’s Well: Hospitality, Credibility & Truth’
This breakout was presented by Andy Visser, Alliance Ethics, Family & Faith Division, chairperson. Truth promotes LIFE! Satan’s lies lead to death! The historical Christ provides a life-giving model for dealing with sexual brokenness. The woman Christ meets is awestruck as Jesus gently recounts her relational history – ‘married five times and the man she now was with was not her husband!’ We are called as friends, spiritual mentors, and family to replicate Christ’s humble hospitality. Our culture bombards hurting sexually confused people with a ‘radical autonomy’ filled with lies and false ‘community.’ Desperation mounts as satisfaction, centered on all kinds of patterns of sexual acting out, proves hopeless. Jesus teaches us to intervene with hospitality, gentle truth and the understanding that He alone brings true healing and grace – often through the hands, hearts, and listening ears of Jesus’ family.
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