I never thought in terms of “conversion,” when contemplating my forty years of living by my “feelings” as my truth. I had distanced God. “Feelings” were certainly validated when I was invited to live in the LGBTQ world. I experienced what I thought was “freedom.”
No more rules or obvious guidelines. Eventually they would emerge, even if not spoken. I think all minorities have unspoken agreements.
Conversion
“Conversion” is a hated word in LGBTQ culture. It makes perfect sense that this term, a sacred term, would come to endure scathing rebukes, hatred, and criminal insistence.
In all my years in the gay community, I had never heard about “Conversion Therapy.” I just lived life the way I wanted and didn’t get involved with activism. I think that by and large, most of the LGBTQ community references “Conversion Therapy” by supposition, rather than firsthand knowledge.
My walk out of my forty years of self-indulgence would be gradual. I didn’t want to make any kneejerk decisions and cause additional pain and heartbreak to my parents. So for months, I made no announcement that I was studying God’s Word and had begun attending a local church.
I seriously contemplated what God was asking of me. Courtship. Development of an intimate, trusting relationship. “Conversion” is something done by the Holy Spirit. And it had nothing to do with how I felt, and everything to do with my Creator’s design and the life He has gifted me. God has every right to put parameters in place. At the same time, He gives me free will. I have the right to agree or disagree with Him. And if I disagree with the God of the universe, He in the end, has every right to impose His judgment and consequences.
Remember the battlefield we are on. There is right and wrong. There is an enemy of God. One who works with creative and enticing deceptions. Just as what occurred at the tree of good and evil. Counterfeits can be very attractive and illusive. We don’t immediately consider the terminal consequences.
Upon my return to living a life in agreement with God, I heard about “Conversion” and “Reparative” therapy. All I heard about was physically harmful techniques, like shock therapy and other antiquated techniques.
What is Conversion Therapy Anyway?
“Conversion Therapy” by definition of the APA (American Psychological Association) and the LGBTQ community, is “anything” that suggests that a person can live differently than how they “feel.” Wow! So it’s not just these aversive suppositions. It’s actually mind boggling, the comprehensive scope of what this includes.
After twelve years in a former LGBTQ ministry, I encountered the “Conversion Therapy” declarations, insistences and laws. Voluntary counseling about exiting, or dealing with unwanted same-sex attraction, is criminal in twenty-three states, and thirty-one regions around the world. This demolishes our 1st Amendment provision in the US. In Victoria, Australia, it is criminal for you and I to pray for someone with an LGBTQ identity, punishable by eight to ten years in prison. So much for religious freedom!
It was twelve years in ministry, before I took all that in. Massive! Jolting! Threatening! And perhaps most disheartening, Christians were sitting silent, letting it all happen right before their eyes.
An Idea Was Born
It was then that I said, God… if you would make provisions, I believe an educational documentary is needed. About six weeks after that prayer, a check arrived in the mail, for twenty thousand dollars. I saw that as a green light. An answer to prayer. It would be several more weeks before a production opportunity became available.
As you might imagine, Satan was fighting me every step of the way. A believer knows fully, that God has fully overcome Satan, and so I kept pressing forward. It would be a journey of more than three years. Lots of peaks and valleys. Lack of funding would raise its ugly head on numerous occasions, yet God would always provide.
My Goals
Address the mainstream accusations surrounding “Conversion Therapy.”
Discover what pastors and counselors actually do.
Make an attempt to preserve religious freedom.
Make certain that the LGBTQ community can see what God has to offer.
Additionally, I wanted a significant number of testimonies which prove that harm is not done.
I know, it was a tall order. However, I was certain this could be accomplished in my FREEDOM documentary. It would involve traveling around the world and capturing an international perspective.
Mistreatment in Malta
Just prior to the beginning of filming, a story broke out of Malta. Matthew Grech had shared his testimony of leaving the LGBTQ world and choosing to live in agreement with God. Two gay activists came out against him after viewing his testimony, and complaining to the police. The police charged him with being in breach of Malta’s “Conversion Therapy” ban.
The case would run the full length of our three-plus years production. The verdict didn’t come until after we completed the production.
My New Film
The scope of the film is quite encompassing. One of my favorite interviews was with Dr. Robert Otto, a Christian psychologist. He pointed out that many churches have failed in holding to biblical truths and ministering to LGBTQ people with God’s love and compassion without compromise. I have witnessed this in recent years, as speaking engagements diminished, and indoctrination and approval have become the norm. How can we remain silent regarding God’s commission to share His gospel with everyone?
FREEDOM is not focused on a single denomination. I interviewed more than forty people from multiple denominations. Largely, most denominations agree with God’s directives on this topic. However, the terrain is changing. Activists are making headway in our churches, schools, and leadership, all the way to the top.
Historically, a redemptive message is not allowed on our universities, or in our schools. Instead, cultural compromise with federal protections negate such targeted discussions. Schools and universities accepting federal funds, steer clear of anything that might result in an activist whistleblowing to the ACLU, even with provision called “ministerial exception” that provides for upholding biblical and Christian standards. What is missing in leadership today? Spiritual backbones!
Not delivering God’s life-sustaining gospel, is what leads to abandonment. Collateral for heaven. Grievous.
Summary
It is into this void — where truth has been traded for tolerance and courage for compliance — that FREEDOM steps forward. FREEDOM is a breath of redemptive fresh air. Hope, inspiration, education, declaration and preservation of freedom for all.
Make a prayerful, invitational decision. Offering all that God has promised and boldly proclaim God’s love and truth. This documentary brings cause for contemplation, dedication, surrender, and freedom in Jesus. We don’t do the converting. Only the Holy Spirit can bring about such an occurrence.
In my own conversion, Jesus promised me in Philippians 4:13, that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” And He confirms in Philippians 1:6 that He will finish the work that He began! As we trudge through the few final days here on this planet, now is not the time to be complacent. We must never be found faithless, but faithful.
I invite you to watch the current film trailer at: LINK
Reach out to me to set up a screening at your church or private function. Write me at knowgreaterlove@comcast.net, and find out more about the FREEDOM documentary at www.freedomdocumentary.com
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Brother Wayne
Contact: 2knowhislove@gmail.com
Website: www.knowhislove.org