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| | ''See also:'' [[Stephen Black]] and [[First Stone Ministries]] and [[Ex-homosexuals]] | | ''See also:'' [[Stephen Black]] and [[First Stone Ministries]] and [[Ex-homosexuals]] |
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| − | Reverend [[Stephen Black]] was ordained through International Ministerial Fellowship in 1994. Stephen left a [[homosexuality|homosexual]] lifestyle in 1983 after spending 8 years gay identified. Stephen is now the Executive Director of [[First Stone Ministries]] which is a [[Christian]] discipleship pastoral care ministry offering support groups, literature, educational seminars and public speaking. First Stone Ministries was also a member ministry of [[Exodus International]] which was, until closing its doors in 2013, the largest network of agencies dedicated to the ministering to the issues of homosexuality from a Christian perspective. Stephen Black has been ministering full-time with First Stone Ministries since 1993 and became the executive director in 2000. | + | Reverend [[Stephen Black]] was ordained through the International Ministerial Fellowship in 1994. Stephen left a [[homosexuality|homosexual]] lifestyle in 1983 after spending 8 years gay-identified. Stephen is now the Executive Director of [[First Stone Ministries]] which is a [[Christian]] discipleship pastoral care ministry offering support groups, literature, educational seminars and public speaking. First Stone Ministries was also a member ministry of [[Exodus International]] which was, until closing its doors in 2013, the largest network of agencies dedicated to ministering to the issues of homosexuality from a Christian perspective. Stephen Black has been ministering full-time with First Stone Ministries since 1993 and became the executive director in 2000. |
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| | He married his wife, Robin Dawn in 1986, they have three children and one grandchild; they have always resided in the Oklahoma City area.<ref>http://www.stephenblack.org/</ref> | | He married his wife, Robin Dawn in 1986, they have three children and one grandchild; they have always resided in the Oklahoma City area.<ref>http://www.stephenblack.org/</ref> |
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| | Pastor D. L. Foster, an [[Ex-homosexuals|ex-homosexual]], states the following regarding overcoming homosexuality: | | Pastor D. L. Foster, an [[Ex-homosexuals|ex-homosexual]], states the following regarding overcoming homosexuality: |
| − | {{cquote|Former homosexuals joyfully point to one definitive Scripture that mentions them and the redemptive process they are embracing: "Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites ... will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" ([http://nasb.scripturetext.com/1_corinthians/6.htm 1 Cor. 6:9-11]). | + | {{cquote|Former homosexuals joyfully point to one definitive Scripture that mentions them and the redemptive process they are embracing: "Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites ... will inherit the [[kingdom of God]]. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" ([http://nasb.scripturetext.com/1_corinthians/6.htm 1 Cor. 6:9-11]). |
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| | When I met and married my wife, Dee, almost 12 years ago, she and I both were clueless about what my post-homosexual life would be like. As painful as my past sin was to me, my wife was not the cause of my change; rather, she was the fruit of my change... | | When I met and married my wife, Dee, almost 12 years ago, she and I both were clueless about what my post-homosexual life would be like. As painful as my past sin was to me, my wife was not the cause of my change; rather, she was the fruit of my change... |
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| | "Jeanette, stand in front of the mirror every morning and thank God that He's made you a woman." This challenge came from a teacher at the Bible school I attended as a young Christian. What a ridiculous task! I thought, but reluctantly agreed. The next morning I got up and struggled to look at myself in the mirror. Try as I would, I could not acknowledge myself as a female.... | | "Jeanette, stand in front of the mirror every morning and thank God that He's made you a woman." This challenge came from a teacher at the Bible school I attended as a young Christian. What a ridiculous task! I thought, but reluctantly agreed. The next morning I got up and struggled to look at myself in the mirror. Try as I would, I could not acknowledge myself as a female.... |
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| − | Then came a breakthrough during a retreat in February, 1989. "You have believed a lie", [[God]] told me, "but I'm going to change your name". From now on, He showed me, I was to be called "woman". This was God's intention for me from my conception. | + | Then came a breakthrough during a retreat in February 1989. "You have believed a lie", [[God]] told me, "but I'm going to change your name". From now on, He showed me, I was to be called "woman". This was God's intention for me from my conception. |
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| − | In faith I received my new name. Almost immediately I felt a weight fall away from me. In amazement, I looked around at the other women. No longer did I feel distanced from them; we were united by a common bond in Jesus Christ. | + | In [[faith]] I received my new name. Almost immediately I felt a weight fall away from me. In amazement, I looked around at the other women. No longer did I feel distanced from them; we were united by a common bond in Jesus Christ. |
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| − | That day, the wall I had erected as a child came tumbling down. I entered into my rightful role as a woman of Christ. I felt as though I belonged-at long last. | + | That day, the wall I had erected as a child came tumbling down. I entered into my rightful role as a woman of Christ. I felt as though I belonged -- at long last. |
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| | As I have entered into my identity as a woman, God is healing my views on men. Now I see them as having a major role in my life. We complement each other, and I realize now that my life has been enriched because of them...<ref>Testimony formerly posted at Leadership University website</ref> | | As I have entered into my identity as a woman, God is healing my views on men. Now I see them as having a major role in my life. We complement each other, and I realize now that my life has been enriched because of them...<ref>Testimony formerly posted at Leadership University website</ref> |
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| | ==Testimony of Ex-Lesbian Luanna Hansberger== | | ==Testimony of Ex-Lesbian Luanna Hansberger== |
| − | Ex-Lesbian Luanna Hasberger stated the following regarding conquering homosexuality: | + | Ex-lesbian Luanna Hasberger stated the following regarding conquering homosexuality: |
| | {{cquote|I prayed every night for years that God would undo the mistake He had made: "God, please make me a boy." | | {{cquote|I prayed every night for years that God would undo the mistake He had made: "God, please make me a boy." |
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| | Most of the people who knew me when I was growing up would probably have a hard time believing what my life was like during my twenties, when I became involved in the seemingly hopeless morass of a lesbian relationship... | | Most of the people who knew me when I was growing up would probably have a hard time believing what my life was like during my twenties, when I became involved in the seemingly hopeless morass of a lesbian relationship... |
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| − | My friends encouraged me to contact Regeneration, a local ministry which reaches out to those seeking a way out of homosexuality. Thus, in January 1981, the healing process was accelerated. | + | My friends encouraged me to contact Regeneration, a local ministry that reaches out to those seeking a way out of homosexuality. Thus, in January 1981, the healing process was accelerated. |
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| | When I first came to the ministry I was extremely shy and introverted. I bounced back and forth between a masculine and a feminine identity... | | When I first came to the ministry I was extremely shy and introverted. I bounced back and forth between a masculine and a feminine identity... |
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| | The friends I first shared with continue to be a great help and support for me. That support has carried on literally from around the world as they have moved about with the military. At the end of March 1985, I got out of the Army to go to work for Regeneration. During the time since entering full time Christian service, I can really see the changes the Lord has made in me. Through Him I can now not only accept, but rejoice in, my femininity. I am now joyfully preparing for marriage. I praise the Lord for the work He has done in my life. When I was born female, God didn't make a mistake!<ref>Posted at the former website stonewallrevisited.com</ref>}} | | The friends I first shared with continue to be a great help and support for me. That support has carried on literally from around the world as they have moved about with the military. At the end of March 1985, I got out of the Army to go to work for Regeneration. During the time since entering full time Christian service, I can really see the changes the Lord has made in me. Through Him I can now not only accept, but rejoice in, my femininity. I am now joyfully preparing for marriage. I praise the Lord for the work He has done in my life. When I was born female, God didn't make a mistake!<ref>Posted at the former website stonewallrevisited.com</ref>}} |
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| − | ==Concerned Women of American Regarding Overcoming Homosexuality== | + | ==Concerned Women of American regarding Overcoming Homosexuality== |
| | The organization [[Concerned Women of America]] states the following regarding overcoming homosexuality: | | The organization [[Concerned Women of America]] states the following regarding overcoming homosexuality: |
| | {{cquote|Homosexual behavior can be conquered, as evidenced by the thousands of people who have completely given up the lifestyle... | | {{cquote|Homosexual behavior can be conquered, as evidenced by the thousands of people who have completely given up the lifestyle... |
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| | ==Christians and Helping Others in Respect to Overcoming Homosexuality== | | ==Christians and Helping Others in Respect to Overcoming Homosexuality== |
| | [[Image:Mark_copeland.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Pastor Mark A. Copeland]] | | [[Image:Mark_copeland.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Pastor Mark A. Copeland]] |
| − | Pastor Mark A. Copeland states the following regarding Christians helping others in regards to overcoming homosexuality: | + | Pastor Mark A. Copeland states the following regarding Christians helping others in regard to overcoming homosexuality: |
| | {{cquote|BE READY TO ASSIST THOSE WHO DESIRE TO OVERCOME HOMOSEXUALITY | | {{cquote|BE READY TO ASSIST THOSE WHO DESIRE TO OVERCOME HOMOSEXUALITY |
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| − | Even as Jesus was quick to receive sinners and to lead them to the way of righteousness and life | + | Even as Jesus was quick to receive sinners and to lead them to the way of righteousness and life everlasting, so should those who claim to be His disciples. Again, the challenge will be to do it in the proper way. |
| − | everlasting, so should those who claim to be His disciples. Again, the challenge will be to do it in the | |
| − | proper way. | |
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| − | Paul's instructions to the Galatians can serve as good beginning: | + | Paul's instructions to the Galatians can serve as a good beginning: |
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| | "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Ga 6:[http://scripturetext.com/galatians/6-1.htm 1]-[http://scripturetext.com/galatians/6-2.htm 2]) | | "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Ga 6:[http://scripturetext.com/galatians/6-1.htm 1]-[http://scripturetext.com/galatians/6-2.htm 2]) |
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| − | In a spirit of gentleness we need to be able to show them how, and to provide the encouragement they will | + | In a spirit of gentleness we need to be able to show them how, and to provide the encouragement they will need along the way.<ref>http://christianlibrary.org/authors/Mark_A_Copeland/hom/hom.pdf</ref>}} |
| − | need along the way.<ref>http://christianlibrary.org/authors/Mark_A_Copeland/hom/hom.pdf</ref>}} | |
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| | ==Television Show Cuts Message of Christian Who Overcame Homosexuality== | | ==Television Show Cuts Message of Christian Who Overcame Homosexuality== |