#216: Pastor Who Formerly Identified as Homosexual Gets Real on LGBTQ, Church, Temptations, Jesus

Run The Race

Debate involving LGBTQ is often divisive in our nation and churches these days. This week's podcast guest is a pastor and missionary who says he formerly identified as homosexual, but an encounter with Jesus a dozen years ago set him on a new journey! He talks about his trauma growing up...that major transition, spiritually and sexually...helping churches and also others in the LGBTQ community...getting married to a woman...and ministering to people through the "Rainbow Journey" movement. After taking a quick look at what the Bible says about homosexuality and how Christians can respond to gay friends, (6:40) our guest tells his fascinating story. Gabriel Pagan explains how he was "delivered from homosexuality," as he calls it. It started with sexual trauma and bullying...led to sexual identity curiosities...being suicidal amidst the stigma of being gay and family shame...then being pursued by Jesus in his mess. What made him say he'd never sleep with another man? (25:20) For those who say they were born gay or God made them that way, why do they need to be delivered from it? Gabriel says when we're Born again, no other identities are needed or above that. No conversion therapy was needed. This now-pastor says he didn't need to pray his attractions away - they'll still come but we can deny them when Jesus meets our needs. It's choosing between our relationship with Jesus and our sexuality. HE will answer any of your questions on that. God is not mad at gay or straight people. Transitioning out of LGBTQ, Gabriel talks about the hardest thing: dealing with his emotions without an escape, instead us processing things with Jesus. Next for him came (34:55) falling in love with the woman that would be his wife. God made a lot of it happen, including the ring. Now, they have 3 sons...have been through a lot, but he says following the Lord is not easy and restoration comes (verse in Joel). (45:41) Gabriel started the "Rainbow Movement," explaining the Biblical symbolism and how we can reflect Jesus without weaponizing Scripture and without rejecting people that are gay. Part of it is equipping churches, changes that come with a cost but concerns about image can mean people continuing to struggle. Gabriel says there's more homosexual people than you think in your church congregation. He also has the "God of the Rainbow" e-course that gives people practical tools. Learn more: https://linktr.ee/rainbowprophet?fbclid=IwY2xjawFPUcZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRAd1wdAjryZQTxFMQm_gfUSapBHfRP8Xio0xVjLojHLz4spdqwYMZy_4w_aem_S1_Fh5JOlTmUzbrgodEOfA (1:04:10) Gabriel closes us in prayer. Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast, which I hope you'll subscribe to! Share it with your friends. Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and listen to any previous episodes, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.