Jaw dropped and aghast, hardly believing my eyes, I recently read an article on Andrews University’s official website.
The article was authored by a university student campaigning against a Seventh-day Adventist personal ministry, ‘Coming Out’ Ministries, securing a building across the street from Andrews, in Berrien Springs. Not even on university property. The tone of the article was such that I couldn’t believe it saw the light of day. I wonder if the university administration screens submitted articles and their content prior to publishing.
I contemplated the church’s mission in providing Christian education in alignment with biblical teachings and church doctrine. I couldn’t conceive how such unkind words and contrasting observations and directives could come from a student who had to consider their educational options prior to attending this university.
As stunned as I was, nothing could have prepared me for another article, penned by two more students, with just as contrasting views relative to Christian education, one week later. Again, clearly without being proofed by administration. If there is such an administrating body, perhaps, this would also be cause for alarm, as to whether such people are appropriately employed.
I acknowledge that I don’t represent ‘Coming Out’ Ministries. However, as a retired co-founder, and director of my own ministry, Know His Love Ministries, I confirm that the principles taught, and testimonies shared in both these ministries are in complete alignment with the Holy Scriptures and Seventh-day Adventist doctrine. I speak to confirm the power of God’s “love in truth” gospel, available to all who fall in love with Jesus.
While these recent articles are inappropriate, they are trailing in succession of a trend that has developed since my return to Jesus and the Adventist church in June of 2009.
I left Jesus and the church in 1973 due to the church’s apparent lack of ministry toward those who experience LGBTQIA+ ideations. I don’t believe anything could have prepared me for the rejection and denouncing of sound Biblical counsel I’ve witnessed at every level, since my conversion by the Holy Spirit in 2009, and stepping into full time ministry.
I experienced loneliness, depression, and even suicidal ideations in my childhood, attending Seventh-day Adventist schools and churches. Originally, not from experiencing same-sex attraction, but from being effeminate, and not fitting in. These circumstances would largely contribute to my same-sex attraction that developed later.
Looking back, I recognize that other schoolmates like me could have benefited from being prepared for how Satan would taunt us, because of our weaknesses and temptations. While I suffered a painful existence, God still had a plan. He will allow us to walk down roads we need not go. I am grateful I had two incredibly loving, Christ-centered parents who did their best to teach the trustworthiness of Jesus, His love, and His Word. Jesus places a high value on each one of us.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
It wasn’t essential that I leave Jesus for the ways of the LGBTQIA+ community. I let my “feelings” dictate my pathway. God is not a God of force, but invitation. And sometimes, He allows things to happen, seeking to bring good from less than perfect situations, making provision for others who need not head down the same dead-end roads (Romans 8:28; Psalms 51:13).
Over more than a dozen years now, I’ve witnessed how the worst can come from within.
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Colossians 2:6-8” (Early Writings, Pg. 25.2).
Of note, both articles on the Andrews website make strong assertions relating to the term “Conversion Therapy.” Many may not have heard of the term. You’re not alone. However, more and more are looking into this topic and the stigma surrounding it, let alone its definition.
Conversion Therapy
When I returned to Jesus, after nearly a forty-year absence, I became acquainted with the term. Oddly, I had not heard about it while living in LGBTQIA+ culture. However, after my return, I found that pastors, chaplains, teachers, counselors, and most notably, LGBTQIA+ activists were loosely throwing the term around. I heard that under the treatment of “Conversion Therapy,” horrible things happen. Shock therapy, immersing into ice cold baths, needle pricking, and more aversive techniques, all done to change a person from being gay to heterosexual. Wow! That’s just wrong! And, it’s already criminal.
I made up my mind that I would shout it loud and clear, that I certainly didn’t endorse or promote anything that would be physically harming to anyone. I even stated in articles, and in my book, “Line by Line – A Biblical Analysis of Guiding Families of LGBT+ Loved Ones,” that I don’t endorse “Conversion Therapy.” But, … Did I really know what “Conversion Therapy” is? For twelve years, I believed the propagated cultural lies. In all honesty many people in the LGBTQIA+ community have shaped the ideas and multiple definitions of “Conversion Therapy.” The truth is, they have successfully criminalized “Conversion Therapy” in twenty-five countries around the world. In some countries it’s now criminal to pray for someone identifying as LGBTQIA+.
How do I know? I’ve spent the last two years deeply researching the topic, traveling to multiple countries around the world, and making a documentary, revealing multiple perspectives, aiding in truth and education. I’ve included Matthew Grech, who in Malta, is being prosecuted, as the result of an unhappy lesbian activist who says his testimony makes her “feel” dirty and degraded. If convicted, he could be sentenced to five months in prison.
“Conversion Therapy” is a made-up term, seemingly aimed at preventing anyone from exercising “choice.” Activists are bent on destroying opinions that differ from their own.
One activist I interviewed, who has aided in the construction of “Conversion Therapy” laws, believes that licenses should be revoked from psychologists, mental health counselors, and pastors who suggest that sexual orientation can be changed. This is endorsed by the American Psychological Association. When did we place a select group of psychologists above a person’s personal choice of whom they wish to receive counsel?
In my research, interviewing more than forty people, including psychologists, no one claims to change someone’s “sexual orientation.” All of them ask their client, what their goals are and respond respectively. Many wish to live to honor God, which may or may not include biblical marriage. Some clients who don’t identify as Christian, simply no longer wish to engage in an LGBTQIA+ identity.
As a bible believing Seventh-day Adventist, I’ve wondered how it is that we’ve come to place such an emphasis and protection on a person’s “sexual orientation.” Shouldn’t we encourage each other to orient ourselves to Jesus and His Word, instead of twisting it to agree with our flesh?
As I read these articles and pondered the lives of the students who wrote them, I couldn’t help but wonder why they chose Andrews University for their education. Isn’t overthrowing God and His divine, supreme, and sovereign ways what caused the dismissal of Lucifer and his throng from heaven?
While the gospel is often offensive to our flesh, does God’s love and truth speak to your heart, inviting you to deny your flesh for Him?
Why attend a college that is not in agreement with your beliefs or sense of biblical direction? As a fellow human being, isn’t it vital in navigating life, to respect the beliefs and ideas of others, even if they disagree with us? There are thousands of educational systems that align themselves with LGBTQIA+ culture. Yet as a Seventh-day Adventist, we are called to preserve God’s truth and gospel.
Freedom is a treasured possession of Americans. We should do all we can to mutually preserve our right to choose.
Most Christian universities and denominations have a clause referred to as, “ministerial exception,” which preserves the right to uphold their teachings. In this situation, the teachings and beliefs of the Bible and the Seventh-day Adventist church should prevail. For at least a dozen years now, as it relates to the LGBTQIA+ topic, culture is undermining our Biblical and denominational beliefs. Some faculty value their employment above the call to minister to, love and support those who are challenged by their flesh being in disagreement with God’s sovereign Word.
“We must make up our minds that instead of matters taking a more favorable turn, wicked men, seducing teachers, will grow worse and worse, deceiving themselves and deceiving others. We may expect greater opposition than has yet been experienced.... We must now make Christ our refuge, or in the days before us our souls will be overwhelmed with darkness and despair. There is a point beyond which human help cannot avail. Everyone must live by faith as he is forced into close and apparently deadly conflict with the powers of darkness. Each must stand or fall for himself. The arrows of the destroyer are about to be hurled against the faithful ones, and no earthly power can turn aside the shaft. But could our eyes be opened we could see angels of God encircling the righteous, that no harm may come upon them....” Our High Calling, Pg. 362.3
The two university articles contained several claims that are untrue. While I have witnessed numerous faculty members and even pastors today, who have deviated from God’s inspired Word, there are still many who lay hold of our only hope of securing our identity and purpose in Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 not only confirms my identity as a New Creation in Christ, it compels me to minister with the ministry of reconciliation with Jesus.
While strong opposition mounts, lay claim to God’s gracious promises. Pray that hearts will be softened.
“Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. … Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:1,6-7).
It’s a rare sight to see one of these aforementioned ministries on an Adventist campus. The presence of this ministry across the street from Andrews is very similar to the call that Jesus places on our hearts. It’s invitational, not forceful.
We are a hundred and fifty thousand dollars away from the completion of my documentary. It is now in the editing phase. Are you inspired and convicted to help us initiate clarity at the heart of the gospel which invites each of us to let go of sin for Jesus?
If you are interested, contact me at knowgreaterlove@comcast.net.
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Wayne Blakely is the Director of Know His Love Ministries. www.knowhislove.org. After living in the LGBT+ culture for nearly forty years, he surrendered to Jesus ten years ago and today seeks humility in Jesus, sharing His “love in truth” message.