Offering Hope to Those Impacted by Same-sex Attraction & Gender Dysphoria
Vol. 94, September/October 2025
Hello, friends of Alive in Christ! We are just back from our fall retreat at beautiful Camp Connri in Ashford, CT! There were over 30 of us there from Alive in Christ, as well as other regional ministries. We had people travel from as far away as Europe and Central America to attend this encouraging and life-giving event! We worshipped in song, heard challenging teachings on the theme “Strength for the Journey,” listened to powerful testimonies of transformation from same-sex attraction, and had a lot of quality time just to get to know each other. It was beyond amazing and definitely exceeded my expectations. But let’s hear from those who attended! Some participants took the assignment to reflect very seriously, and so their testimonies are only included here in part. They are linked in their entirety here.
“God reminded me 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 to heal 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!” Jafet
“My takeaways from the retreat: God is bigger than our problem and our struggles. I have always been overshadowed by the scale of SSA (same-sex attraction) in my personal journey with God, relationship with my family, my partners, and my physical struggle of lust. Sharing my SSA and hearing other believers share their stories and strength through the journey made me see how God can turn ashes into beauty, and mourning into dancing.” Aaron
“Before coming to the retreat, I was excited and nervous at the same time. Everyone was friendly, warm, and relatable. I felt understood and 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 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 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 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.” Don
“I’m leaving this retreat with a renewed sense of encouragement. 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. 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’m thankful I came here 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
“It’s been a really hard year for me, especially when it comes to church, worship, and meaningful friendships. I came into this with just a little bit of hope that God would meet me here and breathe new life into me/renew my sense of purpose. He met my needs in such a powerful way! I’m leaving this weekend with more hope than I thought I could have…I’m so grateful to God and to the Alive in Christ ministry for the opportunity to heal, restore, and renew my focus!” Abbi
“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 SSA on my own or my way, which always failed. I tried different programs, therapy, coaching: while they were helpful, they weren’t enough because I put my trust fully in those things, not in 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
“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 heart that have grown hard. I am excited to see Him work.” Unnamed
The scripture “Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31) is a great summary and accurate picture of this amazing retreat! The 1st picture is of the retreat attendees who were comfortable being photographed, and the 2nd picture is the pond on the beautiful Connri property. We depend on your prayers and your year-end giving to make life-changing ministry events like these possible. We cannot thank you enough!
To Our Financial Supporters: If you would like to give a gift to the ministry, you can either send a check to us at the address below, or you can give under the “Support Us” section of our website. All gifts are tax-deductible.
Alive in Christ, 1 Park Street, Boston, MA 02108, (617) 880-9099, http://www.alive-in-christ.net