In 2010, I returned to Christ and his church after having lived an active gay lifestyle for over 12 years (starting in High School). Since then I have experienced major healing and significant reduction in same-sex-attraction through Prayer, Daily Mass, Reparative Therapy, and emotional healing. Every aspect of my life is better and improving every day. I am also glad to be part of a great new ministry called Joel 2:25 http://www.Joel225.org
I'm thankful for the courage and bravery of my friends Curtis & Tera, Prett &Megan, Ty, Jeff & Tanya and others from NorthStar and Joel 2:25 who have been willing to share their testimonies with many of us for several years and now in a very public way. We may have differences in theology, but I have always been proud of their faith and courage to live authentically and now their willingness to share their stories, especially with the backlash they face.
Please pray for everyone in the state of New Jersey. Yesterday, their Governor Chris Christie signed into law a horrible
attack on religious freedom and an attack on many programs that provide REAL help to youth with this particular struggle. As of today, it is illegal in New Jersey for a 17 year-old with unwanted same-sex
attractions to
receive professional counseling, even with parental consent. I cannot grasp why Governor Chris Christie still claims to be a "Republican" a "Catholic" and an "American." His actions are direct assault onall three. Pax Christi, Jeremy http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/chris-christie-signs-ban-on-reparative-therapy-liberty-counsel-promises-to
I
just got back from staffing "Journey Beyond" the advanced program that
builds on "Journey into Manhood" (JiM). It was REALLY AWESOME!!!!!!!!
This is my second time staffing JB - it's only offered once a year, but
I got to take on a bigger role and see a lot of amazing transformations
take place. We had a priest on our staff and we were able to have daily
mass for the second year in a row. That was really powerful. I'd highly
recommend "Journey Beyond" for anyone. I have had a few non-SSA friends
go as well and they say it changed their lives as well.
Anyway, one of the per-requisites to go to "Journey Beyond" is the
"Journey into Manhood" (JiM) weekend - since JB builds a lot on that
experience. There are three weekends coming up:
September 27-29, 2013: Indiana
October 1-3, 2013: Israel
October 18-20, 2013: Texas
"Journey into Manhood" (JiM) changed my life back in 2009 and opened up
a whole new world for me in terms of relating to other men and
overcoming the limiting effects of SSA. "Journey Beyond" took that to
the next level in 2011 and I've continued to see God working miracles in
my life that began there.
Please
continue to pray for everyone else at JONAH
(the Jewish version of Courage) as they continue to battle for the
freedom to help men and women with SSA. They are facing a frivolous
lawsuit which is designed to bankrupt them. Many other SSA
ministries - which are being continuously receiving subpoenas and forced
to spend hundreds of thousands on legal fees to defend themselves even
though they are not defendants.
This
past Friday the judge refused their motion for dismissal so the
Discovery phase will drag into 2014 and the legal fees will exceed
$1,000,000. This includes the cost of time and travel for depositions,
engaging
expert witnesses, doing research, and keeping up with the barrage of
both superfluous and essential requests coming from the plaintiffs.
Your
financial support in any amount is deeply appreciated and can be
directed to either the Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund at www.ConscienceDefense.org, or to JONAH at www.jonahweb.org. Please feel to share this letter with anyone who would be sympathetic to our cause.
Pax Christi,
Jeremy
"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance
for the Jews will arise from another place, but you will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your
position for such a time as this?” - Esther 4:14
