“For you are ALL children of God through faith in Christ Jesus…”  (Gal. 3:26)

Three years ago my partner and I went in search of a new church home.  We wanted a church that provided spiritual nourishment and sound teaching about the unconditional love of God, the abundant life found in Jesus Christ, and the guiding power given through the Holy Spirit. We also wanted a church home that was welcoming and affirming, and who accepted us as lesbian Christians and as the women God created us to be.  We wanted a church home where we could share our thoughts, ideas, gifts, talents, and desires, individually, and as a loving same-sex couple.  We wanted a church home where we did not have to be afraid of being condemned or judged for who we are.  We wanted a church home where we could worship God alongside brothers and sisters in Christ, as our authentic selves. 

I praise God that we did find a few churches that are living out God’s love for all people, and who are welcoming and affirming.  But, my heart ached because I knew that there were many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Christians who are also in search of churches that are  welcoming and who accept them as they are.  Perhaps churches of their childhood traditions, which they love, but unfortunately, have been rejected by them simply because of who they love.

This ministry is dedicated to offering assistance and encouragement to mainstream churches in moving towards becoming welcoming and affirming, helping to enlighten and educate about God’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people, thereby bringing healing to the searching and brokenhearted in the LGBT community.

 BECAUSE:

We believe there are many wounded Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) people who have been abandoned, ostracized, and rejected by their churches leading them to question God’s unconditional love.

We believe that there are also LGBT people of faith who love God wholeheartedly and are longing to worship in Christian fellowship alongside their brothers and sisters in Christ, without false pretense and as their authentic selves.

We believe that through open dialogue and study comes understanding and acceptance for ALL people of faith to commune in Christian fellowship together, without regard to sexual orientation.

RISING SUN MINISTRIES IS DEDICATED TO:

+ Assist churches of all denominations in developing and creating a welcoming environment for  LGBT  people, dispelling myths, revealing truths, and promoting fellowship as brothers and  sisters in Christ;

+ Challenge church congregations to open a pathway for dialogue and discussion to learn about God’s LGBT people;

+ Encourage churches to explore the commonalities of ALL God’s people without regard to  orientation; 

THE MINISTRY ALSO SERVES TO ENCOURAGE LGBT PEOPLE THROUGH:

+ Celebrating each person as a wonderful child of God

+ Confirming the truths of John 3:16,  “For God so loved the world that [God] gave us [God’s] one  and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”(NIV)

+ Offering sound, Biblical resources to develop a deeper knowledge of Jesus’ life, death, and  resurrection with modern day application and relevance.

+ Challenging ALL toward a Christ-centered faith walk and promoting responsibility and  accountability in words, actions and behaviors.