Many people inquiring about ex-gay ministry are apt to ask questions such as "How many people have you seen who have really been delivered from homosexuality?" "What is the percentage of success in this type of ministry?" "How many people have you helped?" "How many people have gone through this program?" "Do you have other testimonies or speakers?" Those are all reasonable, good questions, but they are not as easy to answer them, for a variety of reasons. Let's look at this a little closer.

First of all, Exodus ministry has largely been a grass roots movement through the moving of the Holy Spirit in the lives of many men and women who have known God's grace in their lives. As we have experienced God's comfort in our lives, we have been moved to minister to others caught up in the struggle. Oftentimes with more pastoral and mercy gifting and motivation, we have been more concerned with ministry itself, than actually quantifying and qualifying successes. Since the need has been so great, we have been focused on the actual ministry itself. As the Exodus movement now in its second decade of existence is maturing, we are seeing more interest in professionalism and statistics for the benefit of the unbelieving world. I'm very grateful for Dr. Joseph Nicolosi and NARTH (National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality) which is collecting data from the various Exodus agencies for a more detailed scholarly report. The publication of the results of this effort will be very helpful.

Second, we need to be aware that all those coming out of homosexuality may not necessarily have come through Exodus ministries! CCR has certainly benefited from its long association with Exodus, but God is sovereign and can certainly help anyone in any way He chooses. I also am encouraged by success stories through other ministries. Sometimes I hear testimonies of those who have escaped homosexuality as result of intense discipleship, counseling, and accountability in their own local church. Those are important aspects of the Christian life applicable to all of us.

Third, many of those who have come for help have quietly returned to their own family, church, and work and unobtrusively reintegrated into the heterosexual world. They are content to put the past behind them and move on in their newfound freedom and healthiness. Off the top of my head I can recall several who went on to marriage and family life, as well as on to different areas of ministry for some. Many coming for ministry have great shame and guilt issues, so most want to keep their homosexual struggles a secret. God does not require every Christian to make public his former area of sin to the world at large. Personally, I have seen relatively few called to widespread public testimony regarding homosexual past. Certainly we can all share as appropriate as we are in process, but God's timing and tempering are so important.

Fourth, only God knows the complete story. The final chapter is not written until we see Him in Glory. My personal testimony, for instance, includes an unfortunate detour. I have a very close friend who joined me in my second attempt to escape from homosexuality. I prayed for him for the seven years in which he had fallen back into the homosexual lifestyle. (he is now married and prospering in ministry and marriage). In my years of Exodus affiliation I have greatly saddened to see some crash and burn. God always desires to reconcile, and I have been delighted to see some restored. I also rejoice to see many who have persevered through the years. Those of us in leadership positions always need to be very aware of God's grace and with all humility to keep our focus on Him as the Author and Perfector of our faith.

God has come to set the captive free, and there are many coming out of homosexuality among them. Let's continue to pray for an increasing outpouring of God's Spirit as the fields are white unto harvest!