Our primary purpose is working with and through the Church to help leaders and congregations best foster safe and transformational environments saturated with both love and truth.

Most churches struggle to function well within the tension of these two realities. Many tend to practice a permissive, affirming attitude toward sin; others take a harsh, legalistic approach that condemns the sinner as well as the sin. But Jesus shows us a better way.

Since the Bible teaches that the power of sin is broken through authentic community (James 5:16, 1 John 1:7), Love & Truth Network is on a mission to equip Christian leaders and churches to embrace a lifestyle of transparency and vulnerability, walking together on the life-giving, narrow way Jesus calls us to travel (Matthew 7:13-14).

Scripture is clear that God hates sin (the bad things people do, according to God’s standards). Sin always separates and destroys what God made (Romans 6:23), which deeply grieves Him. Those who are committed to living a life of intentionally sinning are often labeled in Scripture as “the wicked” — enemies of God who will receive His wrath both now and eternally (Psalms 5:4-5, 11:5, Luke 16:22-28, Matthew 13:42, 25:41, Revelation 20:15). Every human has been or still is in this category, until they repent and receive forgiveness and new life from Jesus.

Yet, despite the fact that God hates sin, He loves people, even those who hate Him. He chooses to love them anyway. One of the most famous Bible verses in history makes this exceptionally clear: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). God loves everyone, and He wants everyone to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4)!

Anyone who chooses to believe in Jesus and give up their life of sin will receive God’s free gift of forgiveness (James 2), which is what it means to “become a Christian.” However, in this life, God never forces anyone to do this — we have the freedom to choose or reject Him. And one day, every person will be judged by God based on what they choose (Philippians 2:10-11; 1 Corinthians 3).

Some Biblical scholars believe it may be possible for a Christian to purposely throw away their salvation by intentionally choosing to reject this great salvation and returning to a lifestyle of sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Hebrews 6-10). Others believe once someone prays a prayer of salvation, nothing can ever change their redeemed position in Christ. These are highly debated theological positions. The scriptures are full of warnings to those who embrace a lifestyle and pattern of unrepentant sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Bottom line: a life of sin is worth giving up in favor of receiving a whole new life of purpose and value in Christ in which you experience the love of God and love Him in return!

When you put your faith in Jesus, the New Testament makes it clear that your spirit was “reborn” (John 3:1-21) and is now reconnected to God (John 14:6, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 2:20). So, now you are a “child of God” (1 John 3:1-3, Galatians 3:28, Ephesians 2:11-22).

As a “child of God”, you have amazing new abilities and rights: 

• You are now able and expected to obey God because you have been set from the “power of sin” (Romans 6-8).

• God will answer all your prayers, according to His will (John 16:23). And you can talk to Him anytime (Hebrews 4:16).

• You will go to heaven after you die (John 10:28-30).

• You are no longer defined as a sinner, but a saint (1 Corinthians 1:2, Philippians 4:21)

• There are many, many more promises of God, which you can discover in the Bible.

As a redeemed image-bearer of God, your identity in Christ is the single most important identity you have as a Christian. As a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17), old labels, worldly definitions, and false identities surrender to your new identity (Galatians 3:28, Ephesians 2:11-22), so you are no longer defined as an enemy of God or by the sinful patterns of living you may struggle to overcome, but as His beloved son or daughter.

The Bible defines sexual immorality as any kind of sexual relations other than between one biological man and one biological woman within a marriage covenant (Genesis 1:28, 1 Corinthians 7:2-5). This includes all types of homosexual activity (Genesis 19:1-10, Leviticus 18:22, 20:13, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9, 1 Timothy 1:9-10). 

However, it is not a sin to be tempted. You may be surprised to know that even Jesus was tempted to commit sin (James 1:13). However, Jesus never sinned (2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:22), and He made it possible for us to learn to stop living in patterns of sin as well. (Romans 6-8). While you will still be tempted to sin, as a Christian, you now have the power to stop doing what is wrong and start doing what is right! Notably, each person should do what God leads them to do to refrain from sexual immorality — Christians should either marry the opposite sex or remain celibate (1 Corinthians 6:18-20, 7:1-40). Living out our sexuality in holy and life-giving ways is always God’s call for each of His sons and daughters.

First, it is helpful to consider a related question: “Can God take away my attraction to pornography, someone other than my spouse, or opposite-sex boyfriend or girlfriend?” God doesn’t remove all attractions that could lead to sin. Rather, He empowers us to take authority over what has the potential to lead us into sin. 

While some people have experienced a sudden, radical shift in their attractions from same-sex to heterosexual, it is by no means typical. Most people who experience same-sex attraction live their faith journey as a process of discipleship and obedience (for more info, see “Are homosexual acts sin?” above). 

The more a person sees themselves and others as God sees them, and takes steps of real obedience, the more they will begin to feel, think, and act in alignment with God. Thus, as with any sexual temptation, over time, the desire to indulge in same-sex attraction loses the intensity of its grip.

Some may object to the idea that temptation can actually become more manageable. If someone continues indulging in sinful patterns of living like pornography, masturbation, or hook-ups, it is of course unrealistic to think temptation will diminish because you’re actively feeding the problem. The key to growing stronger in resisting temptation is to replace old ways of thinking, believing, and behaving with the new ways of Christ (what some label as living "ex gay").

Notably, our goal should never be a-sexuality (also an unhealthy way of relating to our sexuality). All people were created by God as sexual beings, and God called it “very good” (Genesis 1). Sexuality submitted to God and lived out according to His design is a wonderful and precious gift we each have been given.

Living Waters is a 20-week inner-healing program developed by Desert Stream Ministries, which Love & Truth Network is privileged to facilitate in the greater Phoenix, AZ area. This program offers participants a safe and confidential environment to share their struggles, examine the roots of their brokenness, and invite Jesus to do what only He can do to bring wholeness and freedom. The program is designed for anyone who has experienced sexual and relational brokenness (virtually everyone), including struggles with depression, self-medicating, pornography addiction / use, masturbation, overeating, drunkenness, etc. Living Waters is a closed program (meaning people cannot join mid-way through) to help everyone build trust over time and maintain confidentiality. To learn more, click here.

Churches should be “healing hospitals” where people come as they are: broken, hurting, and in need. The Church should be the place where people can find true wholeness and recovery for their souls. Doctors and nurses in the Emergency Room aren’t surprised that a sick or wounded person walks through the door. By contrast, too often Christians are shocked when a “real sinner” shows up, looking for help and wondering if they might find authentic answers and fellowship at church. 

As Christians, we need to be prepared and equipped to meet people in their brokenness and pain. Church leaders are called by God “to equip the saints for the work of ministry”, not to do it all themselves (Ephesians 4:11-16). Nothing will positively and deeply transform a church to a greater extent than this kind of engaged, vulnerable, and life-on-life ministry. 

The church should not only be a “healing hospital” but also a “teaching hospital” in the sense that those who find restoration through Jesus and through His Church in turn become spiritual doctors, nurses, PAs, PTs, etc... in training, so to speak. God uses us best in the areas that we ourselves have experienced His healing power. 

Every daughter and son of God needs to understand their vital position as belonging to “a royal priesthood” and their call to minister in the name and power of Jesus Christ (Exodus 19:6, Revelation 1:6, 20:6, 1 Peter 2:9) by genuinely loving others (Leviticus 19:18, John 13:34, 1 John 3:16) and actively becoming more and more like Jesus (Ephesians 5:25).

People are free to choose their sexual behaviors and how they use their own bodies. Regardless, as with so many writers of Scripture, we care about sex because the misuse of sex negatively impacts the whole person. We care because Jesus cares, and we want to see people truly thrive. Sex isn’t simply a benign or meaninglessly fun act. It produces powerfully good and deepening bonds with one’s spouse, or profound destruction (1 Corinthians 6:18), depending on how it is used. Jesus cares because if what you’re doing in your bedroom isn’t what He says is good, then you’re literally harming yourself, and it always affects others as well (Romans 6, Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 6, Ephesians 4). But it isn’t too late to embrace God’s gift and God’s design.

Many people think that a Christian should never point out sin in someone else’s life because it would be “judgemental”, but they misunderstand what being “judgemental” means, and to keep silent would also violate dozens if not hundreds of commands of God to love people by sharing the truth with them (Ephesians 4:15, Jude 1), including the Gospel itself which describes all men as sinners in need of a savior. Jesus did say “do not judge” (Matthew 7:1-3), however, the word “judge” in Matthew 7 is best understood in context to mean “condemn”, or “carry out a sentence upon” (Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:17-19). Jesus makes this absolutely clear in context when immediately following He said to “first take the plank [sin] out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck [sin] from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:4-5). He later said, “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector” (Matthew 18:15-17).

What happens in the bedroom doesn’t stay in the bedroom. It impacts every area of our lives and the relationships we have.

Just like you would talk to anyone else. A great place to start is to ask the person about their story, and then listen. If they know that you genuinely care about them as a person, it will help establish a relationship and provide a more ideal opportunity to talk about Jesus.

Christians are not perfect at obeying Jesus, yet. In heaven, things will be different. But here and now, Christians still contend with their flesh. They are tempted to sin and at times fail. Christians are still on a journey of becoming like Jesus. They certainly have not yet arrived. 

That said, all Christians are called to grow out of sin and into sanctification by denying themselves the opportunity to indulge in corrupted desires and to instead enjoy godly desires to love God and others the way Jesus modeled for us (Ephesians 5:25, Romans 6).

Becoming a trustworthy man or woman is a calling for every follower of Christ. Knowing and being known is an essential reality of the Christian life and part of what the Church was intended to facilitate for everyone in it. If you are not able to find a trustworthy group of believers in your area, we’d love to help. If there aren’t any to be found yet, we’d love to help you start one!

We believe that leaving behind sinful behaviors and beliefs in favor of healing through the power of Christ is not only possible, it's God’s ultimate desire for all believers. We believe that overcoming habits of sinful behavior requires more than mere symptom management or behavior modification. While both of those are part of God’s healing process, the spiritual act of enforcing Jesus’ authority over the work of Satan (wrong beliefs, “strongholds” of addiction, etc.) by trusting God to do what He promises is critical to experiencing true and lasting freedom from practicing sin. Through the process of trusting God, people’s deepest wounds become places of God’s greatest work.

Our help begins by not having a “one-size-fits-all” formulaic method of ministering to church leaders. Every church is different and has individual needs, so we consult with church leaders and customize the help we offer as needed. Solutions often include individual mentoring with pastors, coaching and mentoring church teams, guest-preaching, weekend conferences, intensive inner-healing sessions with both clergy and laypeople, and more.

For more information, click here.

Our mission is not merely to counter non-Biblical, cultural trends of LGBTQ+ theology. Unfortunately, God’s church (at least in the US) tends to be known more by the secular world for what we are against rather than what we are for. While we do engage in theological discussions surrounding LGBTQ+ issues to a degree, our broader mission is to speak the TRUTH in LOVE to those who want to pursue God’s narrow path of fulfillment and righteous living, helping them find the freedom and healing Jesus alone offers.

This was the question Garry repeatedly asked years ago when he was in the midst of struggling to find support and a way out of confusion and addiction. Love & Truth Network has a variety of resources available for both church leaders and laypeople. Our website has links for pastors, strugglers, as well as family and friends. We do offer one-on-one, biblically-based mentoring, as well as information on other ministries offering care.

Learn more by exploring our resources.

No. “Conversion therapy” is a term generally used to describe practices of horrendous abuse perpetrated upon homosexuals decades ago. We offer biblical mentoring, prayer, and occasional referrals to help people experience the love, transformation, and restoration of God from many types of brokenness. 

We do not condone any form of bullying, abuse, or harassment directed at anyone. We also do not view people experiencing same-sex attraction as unchangeable or beyond God’s help. All people have sinned and need God’s grace. His forgiveness and restoration are available to all.

No, absolutely not. Rather, one of the greatest expressions of compassion and tolerance we can extend to one another is demonstrating respect and decency to persons with whom we may disagree. We can disagree without hating or harming people. Rather, it is our role as Christians to love everyone, regardless of whether we agree on anything.

We wholeheartedly affirm individuals’ God-given right to self-determination — the ability to choose their own path, including seeking help, therapy, counseling, prayer, etc. in the way that they choose. We do not believe individuals with unwanted SSA should be told by secular culture, governments, or by false religious leaders that they are not permitted to seek out help and their only “acceptable choice” is to fully embrace a homosexual or transgender identity and way of life, etc.

If individuals choose of their own volition to pursue an LGBTQ+ lifestyle (like anything else), that is their choice. Though God has clearly revealed His plan for human thriving, we should not condemn or disdain anyone in any way for rejecting it. 

However, if an individual has unwanted attractions and chooses to pursue a path congruent with their faith, convictions, and goals, we believe they should likewise be free to do so without harassment or intimidation directed at either themselves or their pastors, therapists, schools, and social media profiles by politicians, activists, and/or hostile courts.