Former ‘Ex-Gay’ Leader John Smid: The Restored Hope Network Will Not Succeed Posted September 13th, 2012 by Wayne Besen on Truth Wins Out Former Love in Action director John Smid dropped by our website today and had this to say:I have come across some awareness lately that has been unsettling for me. When I found that my life [...]
John Smid resigned as Executive Director of Love in Action in 2008, but has only now made statements that reveal how much he has shifted in his previous beliefs and attitudes. Love In Action, the flagship ex-gay ministry of Exodus International, shut down its residential program in 2007. In his recent statements John has distanced [...]
John Smid was the director of Exodus member ministry Love in Action (LIA), which at that time ran Refuge, a residential 'ex-gay' program in Memphis, Tennessee, for 22 years. This program gained notoriety in 2005 when a teen, Zach Stark, created a plea for help on his MySpace page. This event sparked outrage, that a [...]
John Meteyard Former Exodus Asia Pacific Global Alliance & Living Waters Leader and on the International Advisory Board of Exodus When asked to add my perspective to this discussion I was pleased to do so. My purpose here is not to endorse or comment upon the stance of this website or the views it contains, [...]
Wenn B. Lawson Former Exodus Leader Melbourne Today I live with my wife Beatrice; my long-time partner of 37 years. Beatrice & I met when she was 20yrs. old (seen below with the children). My time with Exodus Ministry began in 1986, two years after Beatrice & I met, when I was still married to [...]
Kim Brett Former Exodus - Associate Former Leader - Living Waters and Liberty Inc My now partner once commented how life as a gay Christian seeking re-orientation was like living in a cemetery waiting to die – this explained exactly how I felt. I had resigned myself to a life of chastity and obedience as re-orientation had [...]
Vonnie Pitts (Veronica Canning) Former Christian City Church Pastor and Living Waters Leader I first heard of the ‘Living Waters’ ex-gay program early 1991. As a pastor on the leadership team of Christian City Church Brookvale (in New South Wales, Australia), I arranged to set up the program in our church to help those struggling [...]
Paul Martin Principal Psychologist - Centre for Human Potential Former Exodus Leader – Melbourne I was the Co-leader of the Melbourne Chapter of Exodus International (based at Blackburn Baptist Church) for approximately 2 years. My role included speaking at national conferences for church groups, facilitating group meetings, supporting individuals in their struggles and being “counseled” by [...]
Ex-gay/reparative/conversion therapy ministries' credibility around the world is being substantially challenged as an increasing number of people come out with their stories saying - it just doesn’t work. In fact, reparative/conversion therapy causes harm that can take years to overcome. For some time I’ve been collecting testimonials from men and women who have gone [...]