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From Homosexuality to Christianity

From Homosexuality to Christianity
The Power of God to Change One Man's Life Forever

by Strength in Weakness Ministries
http://www.disciplestoday.org/content/view/3116/42/
September 14, 2011

He was 22 years old, and tired; exhausted, actually. Over a decade of participating in homosexual activity, clandestine and anonymous sexual encounters with strangers, living a double life, hiding in plain sight, unable to be real with people he was close to, afraid he'd hurt them if they knew the truth and a broken relationship with a boyfriend of several years had all taken its toll.

Guy Hammond knew he didn't have the strength to live like this any longer. Yet, he had no ability to stop, this thing that he loved; this thing that he hated. He found that the more he indulged himself in the gay life, the emptier he felt; the emptier he felt, the more he would indulge himself to get his "fix" hoping to numb the pain, even if only temporarily. It was a vicious cycle. Not only was his life broken, but so was his heart.

Thankfully, God had another plan for Guy's life. In the summer of 1985 he was invited to the Toronto Church of Christ, eventually studied the Bible and was baptized. Not only has he stayed a faithful disciple ever since, but he has not been involved or acted out in any kind of homosexual activity now since his conversion 25 years ago.

Guy says, "Somehow, during these confusing times, God lovingly came for me. He sent Godly men who loved me in spite of who I had become. They were not judgmental in their attitudes and saw my sin as equal to any other sin. In them I saw God's love and compassion and made the decision to repent and quit this lifestyle forever. I didn't leave homosexuality because it was so terrible, because it did satisfy many needs in my life.

I left homosexuality because I found something significantly superior. Jesus is incalculably better than the homosexual lifestyle I left, and I wouldn't go back for anything. Jesus truly is the pure, clean drinking water that quenched the thirsts of my heart forever."

It's been mind boggling how God has blessed that decision and repentance. In 1991 something occurred in Guy's life that he had always dreamed of, but never believed was truly possible; he married his wife Cathy, and they just celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. The Hammonds have also been blessed with four children, two whom they recently adopted. They are all teenagers, one of whom is a faithful disciple.

In 1998 Guy went into the full time ministry in Toronto, and was appointed an Evangelist in 2004. He currently leads the Halifax Church of Christ in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. But God's work is not done yet. Five years ago, with the help of Douglas Jacoby, Guy started a new ministry to help other disciples who are also same gender attracted; Strength in Weakness Ministries (strengthinweakness.org).

Since its inception this ministry has assisted hundreds of disciples from over 90 ICOC congregations in over 20 countries around the globe. Guy and his staff (Kris Boyer; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Laura Jolley; Riverside, California, Jaco Ferreira; Johannesburg, South Africa, Kathy MacBrien; Toronto, Canada and Neil D'Souza; Halifax, Canada) also teach workshops and offer training to church staff and Christians on how to reach out our gay friends and neighbours in a relevant manner that holds up the Biblical sexual ethic, but also exudes the compassion and love of Christ.

Steve Staten, a Teacher and Evangelist in the Chicago church recently said of the SIW ministry: "[This ministry] is addressing a serious void in both healing and outreach. Most Christians are not equipped to understand or converse about same-sex attraction and lifestyle, yet everyone has a friend, relative, neighbor or close member of the church in which this is their greatest struggle.

The church is fortunate that we have men like Guy who have lived at the front lines of this crucial mission." Sheridan Wright, a New York City Evangelist says, "In this day and age when same-sex attraction has became such an emotional political issue, copious amounts of misinformation abound.

Sadly, for some people the only experience with religious communities in dealing with same-sex attraction has been one of derision and/or malice. Guy Hammond's teaching is both Biblical and personal. It is Christ-like in the way it combines uncompromising conviction with unlimited compassion. The result is hope and direction for Christian and yet-to-be Christian alike. This ministry is the answer to many of our prayers."

In explaining the main goals of this new ministry, Guy says, "I want same gender attracted disciples to know that we may have not chosen same gender attraction but we do have the freedom in Christ to choose the path of self-denial and obedience to God. It is about making daily choices. This is about living a life of obedience and discipleship. God is not interested in what you're attracted to," says Guy, "but he is very concerned about our submission to Him. Therefore, the goal is not heterosexuality; it is holiness."

Of his journey of faith as a same sex attracted disciple, Guy comments that "Homosexuality used to have control over me - I now have control over it. This is the victory that we can all experience by the help of God. Everything Satan has meant for evil, God can use for good. We are not victims; we are a part of the solution."

END

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