www.UNIDIVERSAL.com - Gay Faith Reached "Whosoever Will"

GLBT churches following the path of love paving the way with gold refined in heaven.

Do we have God in a box

Or stuffed into some sox

Is He’s assigned to a pew

Or maybe hiding in a shoe

Rev Elder Troy Perry Founder of

Metropolitan Community Church

Los Angeles, California

Pastor Rev Dr Jo Hudson

Cathedral of Hope

Dallas, Texas

Pastor Randy Duncan

New Life CCH

LaPorte, Indiana

Pastor Rev Neil Thomas

Metropolitan Community Church

Los Angeles, California

ARTICLE

Perhaps they’re possessed by devils; trying to worship God like that? 43,000 gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT) people and their supporters sustain 300 churches of their own denomination every week. Thousands more attend independent churches organized by GLBT people of evangelical denominations such as Baptist and Charismatic. Could it be that the devil is making them do it? While traditional Christians are drawing lines in the sand, daring GLBT people to cross their pristine threshold, these churches are thriving and growing by reaching “whosoever will”.

November 21, 2006

by Robbie Ousley

Gay Faith Reaches "Whosoever Will"

Apostle Pastor Dale Jarrett

Believers Covenant Fellowship

Metro Washinnton DC

gay-friendly politicians and pastors. All the while Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), an open and affirming GLBT denomination, thrives across the nation. Apostle Dale Jarret, Pastor of Believers Covenant Fellowship (BCF) of Metro Washington, DC (Vienna, Virginia), says “Come find Jesus' presence and be renewed! Everyone is welcome!” Even in conservative Indiana (LaPorte) New Life Community Church of Hope, a Pentecostal church, is making headway with a primarily gay membership.

When Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, MCCLA (MCC Los Angeles) was among the first churches to go. It didn’t make any difference whether those in need were gay or Christian or not, they just went to share the love of God with anyone who would accept their help. MCCLA was also one of the few groups interested in helping pets and animals along with people.

Metropolitan Community Church in 1968, the faith of GLBT believers was discouraged by others. As some pastors and other gay believers have been sacrificed by torture and slaughter here in the United States, traditional churches have continued ridicule and degradation of these newest believers’ faith.

US citizens were shocked when Muslim people were too stunned to speak out against the Koran being used to promote terrorist violence. But traditional Christians don’t seem to be any less eager to speak out against hate crimes here. In fact, speech against gays has become more prevalent and popular in traditional church sermons, as well as more spontaneous and illusive. So much so that it is popular to bring down anyone who builds a reputable life but exerts any interest in non-demeaning discussion of homosexuality.

Could homosexual faith be a passing fad at nearly 40 years? The Cathedral of Hope is the largest GLBT church with 4,000 members. In Dallas, Texas it is 36 years old and was recently inducted to become nearly the largest in the United Church of Christ. Are these

It doesn’t mean that GLBT people are more faithful to God than anybody else. But could it be that critical traditional believers missed the ark when non-traditionalists got Jesus? Rather than embrace Reverend Elder Troy Perry when he started the first

Crimson red accusations and turmoil stain the hands of churches that are preaching messages of gloom and doom against

churches just getting by? Far from it, GLBT churches are more than surviving. They are thriving because they see the need and heed the call to unconditional love where traditionalists dare to tread.