McKrae Game, founder of faith-based conversion therapy ministry Hope for Wholeness, apologized recently in a Facebook post, saying his former work in ex-gay ministry and conversion therapy was “harmful.” He recently came out as openly gay.
“The memories aren’t all bad,” Game writes of his time leading Hope for Wholeness. “There’s many good memories. But I certainly regret where I caused harm. I know that creating the organization that still lives was in a large way causing harm. Creating a catchy slogan that put out a very misleading idea of ‘Freedom from homosexuality through Jesus Christ’ was definitely harmful. Promoting the triadic model that blamed parents and conversion or prayer therapy, that made many people believe that their orientation was wrong, bad, sinful, evil and worse that they could change was absolutely harmful. People reported to attempt suicide because of me and these teachings and ideals. I told people they were going to Hell if they didn’t stop, and these were professing Christians! This was probably my worse wrongful act.”
Hope for Wholeness is one of the largest conversion therapy ministries, according to NBC. Game led the conversion therapy ministry for 20 years until leaders abruptly fired him two years ago.
“When the [Post and Courier] reporter asked me if I’d like to see Hope for Wholeness shut down, I said I’d like all exgay ministry and conversion therapy counselors and organizations shut down,” Games writes. “I told him I believed the only positive and productive use for HFW and exgay ministry is for those that believe that homosexuality is incongruent with their faith, to receive and have a community of like minded people so that they can live healthy lives, and in the end that was what I was trying to do.”
Game is one of several former ex-LGBT people who have since left ex-gay ministry and condemned it.
“Conversion therapy is not just a lie, but it’s very harmful,” Game told The Post and Courier. “Because it’s false advertising.”
But Jeffrey McCall has a different perspective. McCall once lived as a transgender woman and embraced a homosexual lifestyle. Now, he leads the Freedom March, a movement where people who used to live an LGBT lifestyle now boldly proclaim freedom from all sin can truly be found in Christ.
“I think people can make the mistake of trying to change themselves,” McCall tells Charisma News. “I believe it’s by the power of the Holy Spirit that any transformation can take place. Jesus tells us to deny ourselves. I believe there is much for all of us to deny and walk through a process with the Lord of sanctification. The power of the blood of Jesus can wash anyone clean, and it’s the transformative power of Holy Spirit that will give us new desires as we continue our journey abiding in Jesus Christ.”
A group of formerly gay, lesbian and transgender followers of Jesus plan to march in Orlando, Florida, on Sept. 14. McCall prayerfully expects the Freedom March to help ignite a revival among the LGBT community. As a step of faith, the Freedom March is adding water baptisms to their event this month.
Listen to these incredible testimonies from people who used to identify as LGBT!
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