If I could sum up the Coming Together Live sexual purity conference 2025, it would be this: the Holy Spirit was evident.

All week long, I watched God move in ways I will never forget. Over forty people gathered from across the world, brought together by Coming Together Ministries. We came with different ages, different stories, and different struggles, yet we all shared the same hunger to be restored and made whole in Christ. Meals became fellowship, late night conversations became ministry, nature walks became therapy, and laughter became a reminder that God restores not only our souls but our joy as well.

What struck me most was the honesty and vulnerability of everyone who shared their story. Testimonies were raw and real. They were not sugar coated. They were not polished. That authenticity made the hope of the gospel shine brighter than I have ever seen. Hearing story after story reminded me that no one is too far gone, no wound is too deep, and no shame is too heavy for Jesus to heal. I left the week feeling closer to God and filled with hope, not only for myself but for every person who still needs to hear that same truth.

Mothers attending the event brought a special presence. Some came to support, while others came seeking encouragement as they walked alongside children or family members in the LGBTQ community. They became spiritual mothers to the group, offering comfort, wisdom, and hope. Their courage and compassion reminded me that the Holy Spirit is often most evident in love expressed through care and attention.

My journey to CTL5 began in Sault Ste. Marie when a church visitor told me about Coming Together Ministries after I shared what God had done in my life. Later, my pastor encouraged me to reach out to Michael Carducci, the organizer of the event, saying his story would bless me. My plan was to reach out, I even had the tab open on my phone but of course it got lost in the mix, but the Holy Spirit guided me back to it months later, and I felt without a doubt I had to go. I was in no financial position to attend. My car had issues, and I had just been laid off from work. Yet God made a way. I fundraised money for my trip, and then my church board generously covered a large portion of the cost, allowing me to use the funds I raised from selling cookies to pay for vehicle repairs. Little did I know that the week in Berrien Springs would become a defining moment in my life.

Having once lived in the LGBTQ lifestyle (15 years) as a gay drag queen (8 years), I know the longing for acceptance, love, and belonging. But what I sought in those days was counterfeit. At CTL5, the Holy Spirit was evident because this ministry is not about performance or pretending. Coming Together Ministries creates an environment where healing, wholeness, and finding true identity in Jesus is possible.

The speakers and even the musicians shared their own struggles and breakthroughs with transparency and courage. Their vulnerability invited us into a space where real transformation could take place. Watching them draw closer to God and seeing the hope they carried reminded all of us that restoration is possible, no matter how far we feel we have wandered. The Holy Spirit was evident in each testimony, as well as in the breakthroughs experienced by attendees.

CTL5 was more than workshops and teaching sessions. It was a week full of laughter, joy, and bonding. From testimonies to climbing sand dunes to bursts of laughter in the pouring rain, every moment was unforgettable. Sabbath afternoon at Andrews University, a few of us got caught in a sudden downpour in full church attire. Instead of letting it ruin the moment, we laughed until our sides hurt, drenched from head to toe, praising God and celebrating the joy of being together. Moments like these reminded me that healing and restoration in Christ are not only found in deep conversations and worship but also in joy, play, and shared experiences.

Another favorite memory was our Sunday Funday. We climbed sand dunes, plunged into the cold waters of Lake Michigan, shared pizza as a family, and ended the evening with a walk along the beach to visit the lighthouses. Each laugh, each conversation, each shared meal built a sense of family that went beyond the conference. By the end of the week, it no longer felt like we had just met. It felt like a family bound in Christ. These are kingdom friendships, the kind that last into eternity.

One of the most beautiful aspects of CTL5 was how it addressed topics that the church rarely speaks about openly. Coming Together Ministries tackled issues like pornography addiction, childhood trauma, sexual abuse, LGBTQ identity, adultery, Christian parenting for LGBTQ children, intimacy, and the development of sexual integrity. Sexual integrity, as the ministry emphasizes, is not just about abstaining from certain behaviors. It is about living a life of wholeness, purity, and identity in Christ. The Holy Spirit was evident in the way these topics were handled with honesty, biblical clarity, and compassion.

Worship was Spirit led and unforgettable. Music filled every space with peace and renewal. Our theme hymn, Love Lifted Me, became an anthem for the week. On the last day, we led the congregation in singing it together, a moment that felt like a glimpse of heaven. Even when we were soaked from a sudden rainstorm, nothing could dampen the joy of praising God with friends. God’s love lifted us above shame, past pain, and every burden. The Holy Spirit was evident in every note, every voice, and every heart that was surrendered.

Beyond the formal sessions, the Holy Spirit was evident in every ordinary moment. Meals became fellowship, late night conversations became ministry, hikes became therapy, and laughter became a reminder that God restores not only our souls but our joy.

Coming Together Ministries continues to provide tools for continued growth and support long after the conference ends. From prayer calls to life coaching programs and ongoing courses, the ministry equips attendees to keep walking in healing and restoration. For someone like me, who is passionate about evangelism and reaching others in the LGBTQ community, these resources are invaluable. The Holy Spirit is evident not just during CTL5 but in the ongoing mission and vision of this ministry.

I am deeply grateful to Village SDA Church, the leadership team, Jerry and Kathy, Michael Carducci, the volunteers, the kitchen staff, and the speakers. The Holy Spirit was evident because each person stepped out in faith to create a space where truth, vulnerability, healing, and joy could flourish.

CTL5 was more than a conference. It was a launchpad for restoration, a family built in Christ, and a reminder that what God says about us matters more than anyone else. It was a week of breakthroughs, laughter, adventure, worship, and prayer. The Holy Spirit was evident in every testimony, every shared meal, every laugh, every breakthrough, and in the friendships that will last a lifetime.

This week reminded me that healing happens in both tears and laughter, in shared struggles and moments of fun, and in friendships rooted in Christ.

The Holy Spirit was evident in every facet of CTL5, and I know that this is just a glimpse of eternity to come. I can’t wait for next year!

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Spencer Watts

“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).