Wayne Blakely spent almost 30 years as a gay man in the LGBTQ community, before he found freedom in Jesus Christ and the Bible. After conversion, Wayne began a ministry to help people who struggle with sexual sins, leading them to the One Who can heal their maladies and forgive their sins. He has traveled to several different countries, bringing his message of truth, purity and biblical freedom to a dark world.
Back in July, Wayne Blakely from Know His Love Ministries, was invited to Granna, Sweden to present a series of messages on biblical sexuality. The meeting started today. This topic is not common in Sweden, and it is much needed.
Advertising
The organizers (Joel & Ann Mellin) of the event advertised the meetings and also started a Facebook page for the meetings. The Facebook page generated some interest, and it also triggered a lot of opposition.
Outrage Mob
One person began to oppose the meetings on Facebook, and eventually a cancel culture mob went after the meetings, incorrectly accusing them of the favorite LGBTQ boogeyman — ‘conversion therapy’. The local newspaper got involved. The owner of the venue where the meetings were going to be held received numerous angry calls, emails and social media messages, until they withdrew the venue as the location of these meetings (the organizers got another venue).
Yesterday, a Swedish national, conservative Christian newspaper, published a positive and encouraging article about this weekend seminar. There have been articles in the news over the last three weeks. They also sent a reporter there to cover the meetings.
The firestorm aroused the attention of the Swedish Seventh-day Adventist Union, who issued a statement, decrying the meetings. Worried about their image, they said they were not in support of conversion therapy (boogeyman) or this meeting.
Swedish Union Statement
However, the "Sista tiend" network has no relation to the Adventist community or the Advent church in Gränna, where some of the network's members do have affiliation but have not been active in recent times. The Adventist community and congregation, which were neither informed nor consulted, are not behind the lectures. It is unclear what they mean by the purpose of the lectures, other than that they want to raise a current issue that they consider important, that "homosexuals should change".
- It is unfortunate that these public lectures have been initiated and that it is connected to our faith community without us having any influence, says mission director Bobby Sjölander. We are concerned that the aim seems to be to provoke the political debate.
The topics of the proposals are presented in a way that brings to mind recent political advocacy to ban "conversion therapy" that Christian pastors have been accused in the media of conducting in secret.
The Adventist community does not support what is called "conversion therapy" or statements that "homosexuals should change." For more information about the denomination's position on the issue of conversion therapy, see the statement "The Adventist Church's View of Conversion Therapy" .
The Swedish Union, aside from lacking the courage to call people in the LGBTQ lifestyle to biblical freedom, were dishonest about our Church’s position on ‘conversion therapy.’ The Seventh-day Adventist Church does not have a position on ‘conversion therapy.’ The Swedish Union linked to a South Pacific Division statement and pretended that it speaks for the whole church. It doesn’t.
The Swedish Union contacted the organizers of the event and said that their main objection is that the organizers of the event didn’t get permission from the Union for the meeting. As if.
Letter from a Pentecostal Pastor
The event’s organizers have received many encouraging phone calls and emails from Swedish people who appreciate their effort to bring God’s truth to Sweden. One of these communications was a letter from a Pentecostal pastor,
Translation:
Here is the letter with translation.
Joel Mellin
Gränna
Brother!
We met in Allianskyrkan, Huskvarna 18 November 2021.
Thank you for your great effort then!
I have to write and thank you for the group "Sista tiden" daring and having the courage to take up the fight against the atheistic spirit that goes against the basic values of Christianity in our country. There is a dark river of filth running through the LGBTQ movement that attracts poor misguided people, which becomes devastating to society and people. This is VERY serious!
May God give you strength to lead the way for the truths of the Bible. These are devastating forces that are razing the foundation of our society! Honor to the Advent Church and "Sista tiden".
Stand firm!
Phil 4:1 "Therefore stand fast in the Lord, my beloved and longed-for brothers, my joy and my crown, my beloved."
Deuteronomy 31:8 "The Lord himself goes before you and he will be with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or dismayed.”
I pray for you!
Very much.
Brotherly greetings
Börje Skagerö
In two days, we will post a follow-up story, with some amazing testimonies from the meetings. The exposure that these meetings received throughout the country of Sweden, brought many people there to hear Wayne’s messages. Today, 50% of the crowd was non-Adventist, and tomorrow (Sabbath) will be larger, much larger.
Much prayer has been offered, and much prayer is requested.
God is sifting His people, and reaching new ones with the Everlasting Gospel.
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