A little encouragement. This happen in weird ways.

[lillorenzo23]

I've been posting on here for a few months getting through my breakup. Here's a strange little story that I feel I need to share.

 

Living the early years of my life struggling with the thought of being gay in conservative household and Catholic school system really took a toll on me. Being told by people that my "all loving, all accepting" Father condemns people like me really made it hard for me to accept myself. I've struggled with wanting a relationship with God and a relationship with a guy my whole life, and always found myself in unhealthy relationships.

 

This weekend, for New Years, I went to eat with a guy I met on Tinder and his friend. I barely knew them, and during dinner I was asked a series of questions including "how many sexual partners have you had" and "what's the craziest thing you've done sexually?". All of which I declined to answer. I was then told by the guy I met up with, that he has had over 750 partners and has HIV. The other guy was dating a heroin addict in rehab. It made me sad, because this type of behavior is so prevalent in the gay community in my area, and from what I've seen...other areas as well. A lot of drugs, alcohol, sex, ect. It's sad because, as a gay Christian (that has struggled myself), I see these people that know no better. They know no other way. I was there too.

 

I was in church on Sunday, during the worship music, and the craziest idea popped in my head. "Maybe you should be doing something about this. Maybe you should be a bridge between the two communities, gay and Christian. You should be showing these people that they aren't rejected, but accepted. They aren't hated, but loved. Show them that there is more to life, and they can have a relationship with God." But I thought about it...and that's a big task. I wouldn't know where to start, or what to do. I'm no preacher by any means, and I don't know enough to try. So I let that thought go.

 

I signed up for a Daily Devotional that gets sent to my e-mail every morning, and this mornings was about encouragement. That God is with us, even in our darkest hours, and we should find comfort in knowing that no matter what He is there to help us. The prayer at the end read "Dear God, please give me a glimpse of Your power today. Help me to believe that You are willing and able to help me in any situation I encounter." So for the first time, I googled "Gay Christian" to see what I could find.

 

The first thing that came up was http://www.gaychristian.net. An online community started in 2001 by a pastor who struggled with his sexuality. He started a tremendous amount of theological research and looking into scripture for answers. He ended up writing books, appeared on Dr. Phil, and started this amazing online community called the Gay Christian Network. It is now globally recognized and there are people all over the world that are members of the online forum. There is so much awesome info on there, and it really made me happy. But there's more...

 

...I created a profile, and at the top navigator bar there was a link for "GCN Conference". I clicked it and started reading. Apparently every year, for the last 13 years, they hold a 4 day conference for the LGBT community full of praise and worship, events, activities, community service, lectures, sermons, help workshops, networking, music, ect. It looked amazing. They have had 1,500+ people attend the past few, but they were located in Texas, Oregon, and other parts of the USA. Because I live in Pittsburgh, PA and just found out about this now...I wondered how long I would have to wait, and how far I would have to travel to attend the next GCN Conference...so I clicked on the link for 2017. I started reading...and couldn't believe it. It's being held in two days, 1/5/17 - 1/8/17 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA 7 minutes from my front door.

 

What are the chances of that? I think that is way, way more than coincidence.

Funny how things work. I have no idea what is going to come out of this, but I know that everything happens for a reason, and I honestly believe that good things are in store. Just thought I'd share.

[Wiseman2]

It sounds like a much better project than talking to random tinder guys who live in high risk excess.

[RainyCoast]

that sounds awesome! update us when you get back?