Focus on the Family Heads to Pensacola to Challenge and Equip the Church; National Conference on Homosexuality Calls for the Christian Community to Respond with Love to the Upcoming 'Memorial Day Weekend 2004' Events 3/31/2004
From: David Gasak of Focus on the Family, 719-548-4570 or 719-648-4590 (cell), or culturalissues@family.org, Web site: http://www.family.org COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., March 31 -- As Americans grapple with the onslaught of sexually confusing messages being heaped upon them by today's culture, many churches are moved to voice their disapproval by protesting pro-gay events like Pensacola's upcoming Memorial Day Weekend 2004. But as the event nears, Focus on the Family is calling on local churches to respond appropriately to these events with the love and compassion of Christ -- and the truth that homosexuality is preventable and treatable. That's the central message of the Love Won Out conference, to be held April 17 at Pensacola's Olive Baptist Church. "Many churches are frustrated with the deluge of pro-gay messages today, and in their frustration they begin to react to the gay community with anger and condemnation," said Mike Haley, a former homosexual and Love Won Out conference host. "But we are coming to Pensacola with a different message, one that calls for the church to put down its signs of protest and begin reaching out to the gay community with truth and understanding." The Love Won Out conference addresses topics such as the clinical development of homosexuality; the relationship between homosexuality and genetics; the pro-gay agenda in public schools; and homosexual recovery. Conference speakers include experts in the field of homosexuality and gender identity, such as Joseph Nicolosi, Ph.D., president of the National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality. Dr. Nicolosi has written A Parent's Guide to Preventing Homosexuality and has appeared on the Fox's News Channel's O'Reilly Factor. Other speakers include Dick Carpenter, Ph.D., a veteran teacher, principal and college professor; and Melissa Fryrear, a former lesbian and gender analyst for Focus on the Family. Since its inception in 1998, Focus on the Family's Love Won Out conference has shared its message with more than 21,000 people in 25 cities and has experienced nearly a 25 percent increase in attendance over the past year. "We encourage the public to come to our conference with open minds," Haley said, "and hear the real stories behind this controversial topic," Haley said. More information is available at: http://www.lovewonout.com ------ James C. Dobson, Ph.D. is a psychologist, author, radio broadcaster and the founder of Focus on the Family. Founded in 1977, Focus on the Family is a nonprofit Christian organization committed to strengthening the family in the U.S. and throughout the world. |