In perhaps the most famous sermon in history, Jesus juxtaposed two ways to live, two paths, one of which every human being will ultimately choose to travel:, "The gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction..." but "the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life..." (Matt 7:13-14)
The workers for EXODUS International surely comprehend that verse in a very tangible way. EXODUS is a nonprofit, interdenominational Christian organization that helps homosexuals to discover freedom from bondage to their sinful lifestyles through the liberating power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The EXODUS website gives clear articulation to that which has been the organization's mission for more than three decades:
Since 1976, Exodus has grown to include over 120 local ministries in the USA and Canada. We are also linked with other Exodus world regions outside of North America, totaling over 150 ministries in 17 countries. Within both the Christian and secular communities, Exodus has challenged those who respond to homosexuals with ignorance and fear, and those who uphold homosexuality as a valid orientation. These extremes fail to convey the fullness of redemption found in Jesus Christ, a gift which is available to all who commit their life and their sexuality to Him.
Thus, EXODUS seeks to demonstrate grace and genuine compassion through the proclamation of truth that the Gospel possesses the power to liberate those who are shackled in the lightless dungeon of sexual sin. According to the website, EXODUS carries out its mission primarily through four means:
- Ministry referrals. EXODUS refers individuals who want to recover from homosexuality to local churches and Christian counselors who meet the organization's membership criteria. These members are spread across the world and, best of all, most are tied to local churches. EXODUS strongly advocates the local church as the primary venue for Gospel healing and liberation for homosexuals. Member ministries also provide support for the families and friends of those seeking to leave the homosexual lifestyle.
- Annual Exodus Freedom Conference. Each year, over 1,000 men, women, youth, pastors, therapists, spouses, parents and other interested persons come together for a unique gathering of instruction and celebration. Besides powerful worship and inspirational messages, dozens of workshops are presented on counseling, relationships, sexual struggles, societal issues, support for family and friends, ministry development, and various other topics. This five-day event is held annually in late July, in different cities throughout North America.
- Speaking engagements. EXODUS leaders speak in local churches across the world and conduct interviews with local, national and international news media.
- A monthly newsletter. Each issue includes a testimony of healing, current events in the national "ex-gay" movement, new book and video reviews, prayer requests for the month, and news of upcoming local, regional and national events.
Ministry of the type which EXODUS offers is fraught with difficulties, dangers, toils and snares. EXODUS and organizations with a similar focus such as PFOX (Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays) are often the targets of harsh verbal and occasionally physical attacks by homosexual activists, many of whom deny that the category of "ex-gays" exist.
There is good news in the Gospel for homosexuals as for sinners of every sort. After listing a catalog of sins — including homosexuality and adultery — of which the Corinthian church had once been guilty, the apostle Paul concisely drove home this glorious gospel truth with what he wrote next in 1 Cor 6:11: "And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
We thank the Lord for His work of grace through ministries such as EXODUS and pray that, in the face of persecution that will surely only grow worse, God will give leaders the grace to press on boldly in contending for the Gospel that liberates sinners in a culture that desperately needs to experience the unfathomable transformation of God's mercy in Christ. Indeed, EXODUS is modeling Christ-like compassion, perseverance and courage, while ministering within the blazing-hot cauldron of persecution along the "hard way that leads to life."