This letter from Alan Chambers appears in both our offline and online newsletters. To receive this letter along with the full newsletter online via email or offline through the postal service please sign up here.
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Dear Partners,
Did you notice that you have been promoted? Those of you who are involved in Exodus, which is the majority of you reading this letter, are more than just our friends. You are our dear partners in ministry. As partners you are vital to the mission of Exodus: mobilizing the Body of Christ to minister grace and truth to a world impacted by homosexuality. Thank you for answering that call via your prayers, gifts and regular encouragement.
As is the case every year about this time, my team and I are gearing up for a new year! We have been in meetings regularly since August praying and talking about how and where God is leading Exodus International in 2011 and beyond. Some years we roll out big new endeavors and introduce big ideas that God has given us. This year, however, God isn’t calling us to do anything new. He has impressed on our entire team the need to do 3 things with what we already have: simplify, amplify and intensify.
Simplify
Simplify means to clarify or reduce. We are in a fast paced, ever changing culture that demands we focus everywhere, have an answer for everyone concerning everything. At Exodus that means people call on us for input about anything related to sex and sexuality. Honestly, there is a vacuum in our culture where this overarching topic is concerned. Millions, if not more, are in the dark when it comes to understanding sexuality from a truly God-focused perspective. Sadly, many who claim the name of Christ are also in the dark.
Exodus doesn’t have all of the answers nor the staff to deal with many of the questions we get that fall outside of our primary mission. And, while the need is great, we must simplify our focus. We want to be clear about what we do and what we don’t do at Exodus. We want to steward well the call God has given to us and do it with greater focus and excellence.
Our primary mission is reaching out to the Church to help them engage people inside and outside of the Body of Christ who are impacted by homosexuality. We believe the Church should be passionate in their pursuit of assisting people who are desperate for help. People like me who grew up in the church and wanted help pursuing a life of holiness.
Amplify
Amplify means to elaborate or magnify. In 2011 we will turn up the volume on our simplified message and begin providing increased and focused resources for individuals, families, schools and churches.
For instance, the greatest area of need in our culture is outreach to young people. We will be changing the name of Exodus Youth to Exodus Student Ministries in order to encompass middle school thru college age students.
We have listened to youth pastors, parents and especially students and we want to amplify our message in a way that they will best receive it: via web communication, YouTube, podcasts and short to the point booklets. We are also in the process of creating an App for iPhone users.
We must be intentional and relevant if we are going to make an impact.
In 2011, we also want to amplify the specialties that our member ministries provide across the country.
Intensify
Intensify means to deepen and strengthen. There are numerous areas where we need to go deeper. For instance, our relationship with you, our vital partners, is an area we want to intensify.
We also want to strengthen our communication about the true point of this ministry and the reality of our stories. We are in a season where people are throwing away their marriages and leaving their children. Staggering numbers of young people are abandoning their faith because they cannot reconcile their homosexuality with their Christianity. The temporary but instant satisfaction of this world is far more appealing to them than the eternal benefits of a progressive journey of discipleship.
Understanding how we in the Church must address this “instantaneous” culture with the message of lifelong discipleship is a huge challenge but the only answer to a life of freedom. We have our work cut out for us, which is why we depend so heavily on each of you; your prayers, your gifts and your input.
Closing
Exodus is a $10 Million dollar a year organization operating on less than 1/8 of that figure. We remain the #1 place that people call when they are dealing with the issues of homosexuality. No other church or organization in the world can report that they receive 400,000 inquiries a year from people looking for help with these complex issues. Our ultimate desire is to refer them all back to the local church.
Please remember us as you plan your budgets, missions giving and targeted outreaches for 2011. Whether you are an individual, family, church, or foundation, we need your prayers, are worthy of your time, energy and financial gifts. To donate online click here. Thank you for your partnership.
All for the Kingdom.
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