The following are ex-gay testimonies that were given during the open hearings at this year’s General Assembly in San Jose. They speak to keeping the Book of Order in tact as it relates to ordination standards
Misa Garavaglia, Writer and Speaker, Felton, CA
When I was born my mother and I were unable to bond due to a mental disorder on her part and my father was an abusive alcoholic. At fourteen I left the Catholic Church I had been raised in and began attending Trinity Presbyterian Church in San Jose. There I opened my heart to Jesus Christ. At fifteen I went to Girl Scout camp and became involved in lesbian relationships that lasted for five years. Then I heard God calling me to leave the lifestyle, saying that He had something better. No shame, no rejection—He just asked me to trust in His love for me and to let go of my control to meet my need for love. Despite being told by a “spiritual authority” within the PCUSA that I was born a lesbian and must accept who I am and learn to celebrate it, I said “Yes” to God.
Four years later, at the age of twenty four, I married. I had two lovely little girls, (one of whom is here at the GA today). I thought my same-sex drive had disappeared but I experienced a strong attraction to another woman at the age of thirty seven. God used that time to help me walk through some deep inner healing. The same-sex drive has now been completely gone for nearly nine years.
I believe it is a travesty when we seek sexual help from church leaders within the PCUSA and they choose to contradict God’s clear teaching on homosexuality. These leaders do not understand how much conflict and confusion they produce by telling someone to "celebrate their homosexuality" when in reality the person is a heterosexual who has same-sex attractions. I am so glad I did not listen to that leader within the PCUSA. I would not have found the healing I needed from sexual attraction of other women. I beg you to not delete G-60106b or change this part of the Book of Order.
Mike Goeke, Pastor-Counseling, Stonegate Fellowship, Midland, Texas
My name is Mike Goeke from Midland, TX and I am speaking against changing “fidelity and chastity” in the Book of Order.
Being here takes me back to 1996. I was battling the homosexual desires that had been a part of my life since my youth. I was married, but miserable. I was desperate for something that would give me license – I was desperate to have my ears tickled with doctrine that fit my feelings and desires. I found it in gay theology, and armed with that, I left my wife and began my life as an openly gay man. But soon I became weary of a theology that was based on ME. It fell flat, and I felt none of the liberation and grace that I thought was coming. I soon discovered that Jesus was not a white robed wimp, walking around talking softly and stroking a lamb. He was a powerful, risen savior who offered me more than good feelings and sentimental, saccharine love. He offered me abundant life. My marriage has been restored. I have three kids. I love the life that gay theology tempted me to leave. I was led astray by false teaching, and rescued by the perfect teacher. I thank God for pastors, elders, church elders and a Book of Order that are willing to stand for truth, and to stand with me as I surrendered all of my life to God. Please do not limit hope for those struggling with unwanted same sex attraction by changing “fidelity and chastity.”
Lori Bradbury, Facilities Manager for AT&T, Concord, CA
My name is Lori Bradbury and I’m from Concord CA. I’m speaking against deleting G-6.0106b. I truly believe we are in danger of making a serious mistake, if we ordain homosexuals to church office. The church’s prophetic role in this world needs to be pure and godly, and our message of new fife in Christ must be embodied in the church’s leadership.
I lived 24 years in the homosexual lifestyle. I emerged as a lesbian in my early 20’s through a complex process I cannot fully explain. As the years went on, I became angry and sad, felt that my life had little value. I tried several times, in my own strength, to get out of the lifestyle, only to go back to it. At 42 I had a life changing encounter, I was standing in my bathroom getting ready for work one morning and I heard a distinct voice say to me “What are you doing Lori?” As I looked at my mirror image I responded back “Only you can help me Lord out of this lifestyle.” As I spoke those words, peace and hope overcame me. It took another six years for my transformation to be complete. It was the church, the Gospel and its standards that gave me the power to change, once and for all.
So now, three years later, I can testify that there is hope for homosexuals who want to change, and that hope is best communicated by the church through its leaders who uphold biblical standards of sexual behavior.
Please keep the ordination standards in the Book of Order and keep proclaiming the Gospel as we have received it in the Bible.
Tim Hall, Accountant at Fifth Third Bank, Cincinnati
Hi, my name is Tim Hall from Cincinnati, Ohio and I’m opposed to deleting G-60106b.
I wasn’t close to my father growing up and my parents broke up when I was ten, but experiencing the love of Jesus at church and Christian school protected me. However, my hurt, anger, and disappointment with my father and later with my Mom’s boyfriend distorted my picture of fatherhood and God.
My anger prevented me from embracing my masculinity, and I felt alone in my search for manhood. In high school, I was attracted to guys walking down the hall and told no one. Even after I accepted Christ as an adult, I felt guilt and shame about same sex attractions I didn’t understand or choose, so I relate with and care about those who have entered into same sex relationships. Jesus came to save us all, regardless of what we come to him with, but He wants to change us.
I finally searched for help in a Christ centered support group where I could seek purity and healing in Jesus through worship, study, accountability, and prayer. After 5 years, I began dating Kjerstin, who I fell in love with, and after sharing my struggle we grew closer and married last year. I am growing as a husband and am here today to tell you that change really is possible.
I believe that promoting pro-GLBT theology to allow ordination of individuals who choose to act out homosexual desires is not only wrong and against the Bible’s clear teaching, but is very damaging to the Christian church and particularly those looking for real answers to their sexual struggles. As such I urge you to oppose the deletion of G-60106b. Thank you.
Karen Keen, Program Services Coordinator at the UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
My name is Karen Keen. I am from Santa Cruz, California, and I am speaking in opposition to deleting G6.0106b.
My same-sex attractions challenged everything I believed about God and Christianity. For 10 years I wrestled with the question of whether homosexuality could be compatible with God’s Word. I studied pro-gay theology. I got involved in lesbian relationships. Yet after all those years of studying, praying and wanting nothing more than to reconcile my sexual orientation with the Christian faith I could not do so with integrity. The Spirit testifies in me that homosexuality is not what God wants for human relationships.
I am still attracted to women. God doesn’t promise to take away all our difficulties and pain in this life. And, my destiny is not about finding a lover or a life partner as good as those things are. My purpose in life as a follower of Jesus is to proclaim and live out the Kingdom of God until he comes.
It is hard enough to live my life in obedience to Jesus when the world is pressuring me to affirm and act my attractions. If I, and others like me, don’t have the church to help hold up our arms and strengthen us to live a life that honors God, who do we have?
As shepherds of the church, I am exhorting you to please do not delete G6.0106b. Thank you.
