Posts with the tag “transformed-ministries”

We have to admit to a degree of excitement as TBGL is hosting its first overseas retreat in just over one weeks’ time.  Previously we have held our annual get togethers in the UK, and we have enjoyed some great teaching and times of passionate worship, and firm friendships have been formed. We've been very blessed that some of our members from the US have made the trip in the past, so it's even mo...  Read More

Transformed Ministries are delighted to be working with the team at Coastline Vineyard Church to launch the first in-person TBGL group, offering a safe and welcoming space for Christians and seekers from the LGBTQ+ community to explore and pursue their faith. Having offered online groups via Zoom with members from across the world, we felt the time was right to follow God’s prompting for multiplic...  Read More

I read with interest Emily Sargent’s article in the Times, 31 January 2024 titled – “Conversion therapy? It must be banned. I should know.”  Reading this article, led me to delve deeper into Emily Sargent’s work, and I discovered a series of seven podcasts called “Thinking Straight,” which explore conversion therapy, and advocates for an extensive ban. Emily is a non-Christian, lesbian reporter, a...  Read More

I am reading a fascinating book called Mercy Triumphs over Judgment, by Joanne Highley. Joanne brings so much experience, wisdom, and knowledge to the Christian response to homosexuality. In response to those who suggest that homosexuality is something that we are born with, she comes back with what I feel is the perfect response.“The truth is God would never create people as homosexuals and then ...  Read More

Do you struggle with emotional dependency – OK let’s spell that out – do you have a relationship / friendship with someone who you feel you could not exist or function without?  Is this person central to your life to the point maybe of idolatry?If this describes you, or simply makes you stop and think for a moment about some of the relationships you are in, you may be subject to a form of addictio...  Read More

In the UK there is still a lot of unrest around the proposed legislation for banning conversion therapy.  The aim of those proposing this ban is “to improve the lives of LGBT people.”I am all for lives being improved and am against any form of psychological or physical abuse against anyone.  I am also very mindful that not all LGBT people are the same, there are many different views, experiences a...  Read More

The story of Nehemiah is one that has many lessons for us.  As Nehemiah heard of the devastation back home, the destruction of the city and the danger those who survived the exile were in, he wept, he fasted, and he sought God, confessing the sins of the nation and reminding God of the covenant He had made with Moses.When reading this yesterday I thought about the devastation we face in the 21st c...  Read More

Something has been bothering me for a little while now, and I feel compelled to put some thoughts on paper.  You may have heard of side A and side B Christians, terms commonly used to describe the two main approaches to Christian sexuality.  Side A promoting the idea that you can be an openly gay Christian, and side B teaching a more traditional biblical sexual ethic, of being same-sex attracted b...  Read More

It has been our privilege over the past few weeks to lead two Bible studies from Mary Comm’s book, “Uncommon Love, a Bible study for parents of kids with same-sex attraction.”  Whilst both groups had a different dynamic, it was so encouraging to see the growth and change in the parents who have attended.  The study is a comprehensive evaluation of scripture, and how it speaks into the way we love ...  Read More

What is TBGL and why should I join?TBGL groups meet regularly to study the Bible together, to share testimony of how God is working in our lives, to wrestle over some difficult topics, and to pray for each other, encouraging each other through the ups and downs of life.  The one thing that we all have in common is that we have walked through sexual brokenness or are close friends or family members...  Read More

I struggled for many years with sexual sin. It was my “go to” way for comforting myself each time I struggled with emotional pain. At times it was constantly a problem, other times I could go for several months without it being an issue, but as soon as something hurt emotionally it would begin again.When some people realise they are struggling with sexual sin they have prayer and are delivered imm...  Read More

This week a friend shared how she has been told by a friend of 20+ years that they can no longer be friends because of her Christian beliefs on homosexual behaviour.  To get it clear, my friend has simply responded to a request from her friend to send verses from the Bible which said that homosexual behaviour is sinful.  Having shared those verses (as requested) she now finds herself ostracised, d...  Read More

Lessons from DanielFor those unfamiliar with Daniel, it’s a great book and well worth a read as it speaks deeply into identity in a broken and unfamiliar world. Chapter 4 tells of the dream of the King, Nebuchadnezzar.  This dream shows him as a mighty tree, a tree which provided food and shelter for its people.  This tree was visible to the ends of the earth, which speaks of the magnitude of the ...  Read More

This world increasingly encourages us to wear labels, whether it’s our gender, sexuality, relationship status, career or something else.  Psychologists would say that we put ourselves in boxes, trying to define who we are.  When you introduce yourself to someone, how do you describe yourself?  This is an eye opener as to where you see your worth or how you view yourself within society.One label th...  Read More

Acts 5:29 (New Living Translation) tells us that when Peter and the apostles were summoned to the High Priest to answer why they had continued to teach in the name of Jesus, despite being banned, they replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.As I read today of the discussions within the Scottish parliament, and recognising that similar conversations are taking place in Wales and ...  Read More

It’s always a privilege to be asked to speak about my faith and personal testimony, it’s usually the Q & A session that I find the most fun as I get a chance to really hear what’s on people’s hearts.  In a couple of weeks I am speaking to a youth group and have been furnished with their questions in advance.  One question that popped out of the page to me was this, “Will LGBTQ people go to hell?We...  Read More

I love delivering the Freedom in Christ course, it has become a key part of the discipleship we offer our group members and it never fails to deliver.  On the Freedom in Christ website they highlight three “T’s” that they associate with the course:Truth, turning and transformation.The ten week course gives us space and time to look at the truth of who we are in Christ, and of course the truth that...  Read More

Ephesians 6: 12-13 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.Bible believing Chri...  Read More

Seeing the Church of England continue to implode this week reminded me of a recent article I wrote about how we can be welcoming to all, without affirming sinful behaviours.Sadly, living in a post Christian society we are challenged to declare our support of, and uphold the personal rights of, everyone and anyone to do life their way.  Saying that you’re an affirming, inclusive and progressive chu...  Read More

This week the Church of England has sent a very stark message to all those who have turned their back on their homosexual past to follow Jesus.  By voting to bless same sex marriage they have told us that we were mistaken, that we shouldn’t have picked up our cross and followed Him, that our sacrifice was unnecessary.However, the good news is, we don’t follow a denomination or a church body, we fo...  Read More

There was a time in my life when I was out and proud in the gay community and felt that I actually belonged there. Yet at the same time I didn’t entirely feel like I was meant to be there. I had enough of a Christian upbringing to know the lifestyle I was living wasn’t for me.  In church for a long time though, I had also felt very alone and I didn’t feel like I belonged there either. Having same ...  Read More

25 years ago God spoke to me regarding being involved in a future ministry helping and leading those in the LGBTQ+ to Christ.  Little did I know that all those years later how much the world would change and the seed that was sown back in 1997 would start to bear fruit.When I shared this with my Pastor at the time, his reply shocked and hurt me to the core, “Those people can’t be helped.” he said ...  Read More

Our TBGL groups are studying the 10 Commandments and it’s refreshing to revisit them with a new lens and see how they should impact our lives today.  This week we have been looking at command number 9 -  “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour”, which basically is a reminder to be truth tellers in all and every circumstance.  The study has opened up conversations around the conc...  Read More

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” Matthew 5:11This week I received another unprovoked rant against the ministry, accusing us of being liars, of lying to ourselves, of being ignorant, hateful bigots and being told in no uncertain terms where to go.  This person sent a message via our Instagram account and had clearly...  Read More

This week we launched all our training resources on to YouTube.  For the full experience, with teaching notes we still recommend that you sign up to our e-learning platform (Click Here). But the main reason for launching to YouTube is to ensure we reach as wide an audience as possible.  These videos are aimed at helping churches to assess where they are in terms of how friendly and welcoming they ...  Read More

Never underestimate the power of a praying parent, sister, brother, grandparent or friend.  Satan is targeting children of Christian families and luring them away with the promise of fulfilment, acceptance and a new identity that’s applauded and celebrated by the world.  We know that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of t...  Read More

Transformed Ministries is 3 years old today!  We celebrate God’s goodness as we look back and see his hand of blessing over our work.  What the enemy meant for harm; God turns around for our good.  I see that in so many ways as I look at how this Ministry was conceived, birthed and how it grows.  As I hear prophesy speaking into our future as a ministry, I celebrate the love of Jesus for us and th...  Read More

There are still many churches who preach and uphold the word of God on sexuality; sadly far fewer than were doing so a decade ago. How do these churches remain aware of the “leaven” and protect themselves from being tainted by the false teaching that is so prevalent today?One of the things that is essential is not to sit back and do nothing.  Members of our congregations live in the world and the ...  Read More

Baptisms are such special occasions, so it was with joy that we learned that one of our Transformed International members, and key contributor to the Rev12 Project, got baptised at a conference this weekend.   Katrina has only been a Christian for a year, yet one read of her devotions included in the Rev12 Project give you a clear idea of the amazing work God has done in her life in such a short s...  Read More