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Dear Friends,
How many of you have a resolution for the New Year? Without going crazy, I usually try to pinpoint one or two areas where I hope to make improvements each year. This year I have decided to work on keeping life simple. You may remember that our mission at Exodus for 2011 is Simplify, Amplify, Intensify. I began sensing the Lord’s encouragement in August to simplify things at Exodus and realized that He was saying the same thing to me personally. Life has gotten so busy and chaotic – there is always something vying for my time. Being overcommitted in 2010 robbed me of time, energy and joy. So, 2011 is going to be far more intentional and simple.
This year at Exodus we are excited about getting back to the basics. Exodus was founded in 1976 as a membership organization. As of today, we have over 250 ministries in North America (churches, member ministries and counselors), serving under the Exodus umbrella. With that many ministries there are over 1,000 people serving in either part-time or full-time capacities. Our goal this year is to make sure that we are all well connected. We can then provide ample support and encouragement to one another and be utilized to the fullest for God’s glory. That connection will start this month when our North American leaders get together for the Annual Leadership Conference here in Orlando. I can’t wait! Together Everyone Accomplishes More (TEAM) and God has certainly assembled an incredible team within the Exodus network!
Another area that is basic to us is that of reaching out to students. Not only to those struggling in the area of their sexuality, but also to all young people who simply need to hear a message about healthy and biblical sexuality. Sadly, young people are getting trapped early in the web of sexual and emotional addiction. With hardcore porn abounding in nearly every place imaginable, including Twitter and Facebook, there is a real need to help young people understand the dangers in giving in. And, there is a need to educate parents on just what is out there; how undetectable it can be and how to help prevent exposure or respond to the problem when it arises. We received a grant this year that will help us focus more in the area of youth. If you would like to contribute to this critical area of ministry we would be grateful.
For Exodus the message we share is simple: there is a God who created us to be in relationship with Him and with one another
