“It’s so great to meet with people whose faith has cost them something and for whom their relationship with God is correspondingly precious. So often Christians act as if everything is great in their perfect family. And they don’t have all that much need for God. But all the testimonies here – both up front and in conversations point out how much we need God and have given up a bunch of stuff in pursuit of Him. This helps take my focus off of my problems and puts my focus instead on God – who we get to know through struggle and suffering.” Hugh
“I’m so glad I came to the retreat, because of the encouragement of meeting the people and hearing the testimonies.” Unnamed
“I am glad I came again this year. I gained a great deal of encouragement from the testimonies I heard and from the conversations I had around the table. My strength for the journey comes from knowing that there are others on this journey along with me.” Patrick
“I am glad I came to this retreat because I got to hear many encouraging testimonies of brothers and sisters with similar sexuality struggles and how God brought them through miraculously, have lunch and dinner conversations where people verbalized, shared openly their journeys, and for me to experience firsthand the depth of God’s love for us despite the brokenness and sinful nature we experienced early on in life. I am thankful the nuanced storylines God has developed for each and every one of us coming from different places.
My takeaways from the retreat:
- God is bigger than our problem and our struggles. I have always been overshadowed by the scale of SSA in my personal journey with God, relationship with my family, and my partners, and my physical struggle of lust. Sharing it and hearing other believers share their stories and strength through the journey made me see how God can turn ashes into beauty, mourning into dancing.
- Truth will prevail; hold onto the mark and those who point you to it along their journey. I consistently feel sad and lonely because others (few brothers) who once walked with me fell away, but having the fellowship and journey of others strengthened me on my journey of truth. Through community fellowship and perseverance, truth will be evident to us no matter how far/many times we fall away. I am glad to talk and meet many brothers and sisters who came back home after being in that lifestyle for many years.
I sometimes relate to the rich young ruler, lavished with God’s blessings, but wonder what I lack… this journey reminds me that maybe I need to lead behind my own way and let God rule.” Aaron
“There are many aspects of the retreat which were a blessing. The teaching, music, food and fellowship were great. I liked the opportunity to have some great conversations the best; making connections with others is very meaningful.” Beth
“The weekend showed me in a very clear way more of the international/cultured diversity of the Kingdom – brothers and sisters from all over the world, some even traveling overseas just to come to meet Him here! I appreciated the chance to talk with and get to know more about some of them.” Unnamed
“Before coming to the retreat, I was excited and nervous at the same time. I knew it was going to be a refreshing time, but I was also anxious because I only knew a couple of people, personally, that are also attending. Experiencing the retreat, everyone was friendly, warm and relatable. I felt understood. It felt like this has become a safe space to be in fellowship with other believers without hiding or the fear of being judged because of my SSA. The retreat has encouraged and empowered me to face my pain and my everyday life with the strength and hope that Christ gives through His love, kindness and mercy. I’ve experienced Christ’s Love and hope in worship, testimonies and fellowship during this retreat. I feel like I have developed a deeper intimacy with Him and I’m carrying this Love with me as my strength when I get back home.” Christian
“I am glad and blessed to join the retreat mainly because God has reminded me that I don’t walk this journey all alone. It’s good to learn from others who have walked this journey way more than me and have found strength to continue. Every testimony filled me with faith and more importantly, the community has been something that I needed and heals in the inside.
I needed faith and I leave with a recharge of it. I needed a community and I leave with more brothers who also walk the same journey. Thank God for these days!
I want to remind you how blessed you all are of having the resources to get help and companionship with SSA. I don’t have the same resources and so many Christians either. I appreciate if you can keep me on your prayers. The challenge is when I am back to my reality. God bless you!” Jafet
“I want to remind you how blessed you all are of having the resources to get help and companionship with SSA. I don’t have the same resources and so many Christians either. I appreciate if you can keep me on your prayers. The challenge is when I am back to my reality. God bless you!” Unnamed
“I came here looking for hope that freedom through Christ is still possible. Also, to see how the ministries, may have changed over the years and if they still hold to the same basic philosophies as they did 40 years ago. I am glad to see that they hold to a Christ Centered philosophy while still understanding the relational causes of homosexuality. I am also glad for the new relationships begun this weekend. Hope to join a zoom meeting.” Don Munz
“Invaluable insight gained from meeting with others on the journey of a struggle that has brought them to Jesus. Turning aside the worlds quick fix answers to delve into a relationship that is meant to bring about true peace in the process.” Connie
“I’m leaving this retreat with a renewed sense of encouragement. The fellowship, testimonies, worship and prayer time have all contributed to this. This journey is not an easy one but seeing the light of Christ alive in others on their parallel paths with God, gives me boldness to let my light shine brighter so as to encourage others. Strength for the journey is not a one-time thing, but a lifelong one of both receiving strength and giving it to my fellow travelers.” Unnamed
” I am glad I came because: it was an occasion to renew ‘already friendships’ and to make new ones. To hear amazing testimonies reminding me that we’re all weird, and all being redeemed. A takeaway for me (among many!) was [man]’s testimony about how God brought him out from the cave of despair over fears of lifelong loneliness, and in to new life as a husband and father.” Unnamed
“I’m thankful I came here to this place for this retreat because God is showing me that I need to put him back to where he is the most important person in my life. This will not be easy but it’s absolutely necessary. I’ve fallen and been completely broken without letting him into my life and allowing him to lead my life. I’ve missed his love, his guidance and his truth.” Unnamed
“I appreciated hearing the testimonies of a couple of people I’ve known for years and find encouragement in the ways God has given them strength to seek and follow Him through difficult times. I enjoyed meeting members of other ministries and even from around the world who desire to be obedient to God despite what the cultures around them push them towards. I appreciated the insight into the scoffers in Jairus’ home. The reference to fallow ground in Hosea and an insight from I or II Peter that I want to look up and study. Brenna’s teaching was great, as always.” Bryan
“I’m slow to process, so the meaning of the retreat will likely unfold over the next days and weeks. I’m a bit disarmed and I’m not sure what to do with a gathering which is both in the name of Jesus but also in the name of our common cross to carry; I’ve not done this before on such a vulnerable, intimate level.
The stories/testimonies shared, both “on stage” and in conversation, along with the teaching & preaching have all been an encouragement to me. Some peoples’ stories have surprised me in how God has worked – it is very unlike my own experience. Some have been carrying their cross for a long time, while others have just started. This also reminds me of how God does not extinguish a smoldering wick or crush a bruised reed but that he can restore anyone from any level of depravity and hopelessness.
This might also be a litmus test of sorts, and I can see how, since last being in a similar environment the Lord has worked in my own life/heart. His work is sure!
There are just a few thoughts. Most of all I’m thankful to be here, encouraged & encouraging people whose walks are very similar to my own; God be praised and glorified! Also, I keep rethinking to what [a young man] shared in his testimony SSA is a counterfeit. I keep turning this over in my minds heart, pondering how I’ve lived my life thinking the opposite and wondering how such a simple statement can/will unravel lies that I’ve believed/ am still believing.” Charles
“I am glad to have attended this year for the fellowship and new connections. God spoke to me about intimacy with Him and that was the major truth I am coming away with.” Unnamed
“It was a weekend of rest, refreshing and renewal. Reviewing my story & sharing it and seeing people respond was a blessing. Fellowship being able to talk about deep spiritual and highly emotional things filled my soul. My heart is happy. My body is tired.” Sheena
“I learned that spiritual transformation doesn’t always mean changing who we are but allowing God to reveal himself through my journey. Healing is about inviting Christ to it. John 9:13 The disciples ask Jesus ‘who sinned, this man or his parents that he was blind.’ Jesus said ‘neither this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in him.’ Purpose of intent, it is not about you.” Unnamed
“This weekend created a safe environment where I could be myself, without having to hide anything, and more importantly, an atmosphere to seek the Lord in a deep and meaningful way. It’s been a really hard year for me, especially when it comes to church, worship, and meaningful friendships. I came into this weekend with just a little a little bit of hope that God would meet me here and breathe new life into me/renew my sense of direction/purpose. He met my needs in such a powerful way! I was able to worship deeply, learn from the word, and build a new community to walk this road with Jesus together. I’m leaving this weekend with more hope than I thought I could have, ready to connect with God and people without all the baggage I’ve been carrying around. I’m so grateful to God and to the Alive in Christ ministry for the opportunity to heal, restore, and renew my focus!” Abbi
“I came to experience a community and I did. I felt that I can trust people here and be accepted. The very first night when Brenna prayed at the end, ‘Lord, have your way.’ I felt that all these years I’ve tried to deal with my same sex attractions on my own, or my way which always failed. I tried different programs, therapy, coaching, while there were helpful, they weren’t enough because I put my trust fully in it, not my God. Now I’m learning to let God have His way and lead the way whatever it looks like, however it looks like.” Unnamed
“Retreats like this one help me to advance my spiritual journey.” Unnamed
“I was glad to be with a group of people who understood me. No apologies or explanations needed. It was wonderful to see how God is working in other peoples lives, also. Not only that but I enjoyed the camaraderie of my brothers & sisters that I met there. I’m grateful to be here! I am not alone, sometimes I feel isolated in my church but this was a respite from the loneliness I’ve been feeling. ‘Strength for the journey'” Dennis
“I felt profoundly the presence of the Holy Spirit this weekend. In particular, I heard His reminder that He is faithful to break up the hardened ground to bring renewal. Part of that will always be the uncovering of new places in my that have grown hard.” Unnamed