Joel 2:25 International

^[1] is a non-profit ministry organization providing a network of support groups for individuals with Same-Sex Attraction (ex-gay). Joel 2:25 Internationals holds local in-person meetings in Dallas, Texas and other major US cities as well as daily, weekly, and monthly video-conferences with 27 groups consisting of individual participants from 92 countries. The organization provides ongoing encouragement and ministry support in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, Croatian, Macedonian, Arabic, Urdu, Farsi, Chinese, and Japanese. On a monthly basis, Joel 2:25 hosts guest speakers for in-depth topics from ministry, emotional healing, and Reparative Therapy. Guest speakers have included Dr. Joseph Nicolosi of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality or (NARTH) and other leaders from The Restored Hope Network, and the International Healing Foundation.^[2]

The Organization's Mission Statement:

"As a Christian community, we proactively engage and affirm men and women throughout the world who experience same-sex attraction, providing ongoing prayerful support that encourages relational healing, sexual sobriety, and spiritual growth."

The Organization's Vision Statement:

"Our vision is to be an authentic Christian community that welcomes men and women from all nations and faiths who share common goals to grow in faith, hope, and love. We know from experience and proclaim without hesitation that the first step in experiencing real joy and happiness in this life and the next is to completely surrender our lives to God. We continuously strengthen and empower each other to find healing for emotional and relational wounds, experience giving and receiving real Love, and living ever more assertively with authentic joy in harmony with our faith. This organization was born out of our personal experiences with the undeniable truth that emotional and relational healing is possible and that all of us are created for holiness and chastity according to our state in life."

The organization began as a local support group in Dallas, Texas but quickly grew through video-conferencing and social media. Joel 2:25 International, Inc. was incorporated in the state of Texas on November 26, 2013 and is a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.

Positions

Joel 2:25 International supports individual freedom of conscience for all, but believes that sexual purity is a life and death matter. In this regard, the organization differs from the theological views of Alan Chambers, the former leader of Exodus International

"Sexual holiness for Christians matters to such an extent that living an unrepentant sexually immoral life can get even self-professed Christians excluded from the kingdom of God. ( Matt 5:29-30; John 8:11 with 5:14; 1 Thess 4:3-8; Gal 5:19-21; 1 Cor 5; 6:9-10, 13-20; 2 Cor 12:21; Rom 1:23-32; Col 3:5-7; Eph 4:19; 5:3-6; 1 Tim 1:9-11.) Some Christian theologians would say that this may mean that such persons were never true Christians to begin with. Others would explain that it may mean that such persons have fallen away from a once genuine faith. Either way, all orthodox Christian theologians would agree that a life committed to unrepentant, sexual immorality is evidence of a life not lived by saving faith. (Matt 5:29-30; 7:16-27; Mark 4:16-19; John 15:1-6; Rom 8:12-14; Gal 6:7-9; Heb 10:26-29; James 2:14-26; 2 Pet 2:18-21; 1 John 1:6-7; 2:3-6, 15, 29; 3:6-10, 14-20, 24; 5:18; Rev 2:4-17, 20-23, 26; 3:1-3, 5.)

- see Joel 2:25 website (FAQ's) for doctrinal statement ^[3]

Criticism

Joel 2:25 International has been called "a unwanted weed in a garden" by gay rights advocate Wayne Besen

"What is disturbing is its focus on propagandizing to the international community."

^[4]

Joel 2:25 International received increased media attention and scrutiny when it was revealed that organization's founder, Jeremy Schwab, had authored the platform amendment for the 2014 Republican Party of Texas platform to protect the right of access to Reparative Therapy. ^[5] ^[6] ^[7] ^[8]^[9] ^[10] ^[11] ^[12]

Joel 2:25's founder, Jeremy Schwab, issued statements in defense of the platform plank on television and in his personal blog ^[13]

^[14] and was also defended by other activists and organizations such as Focus on the Family ^[15] ^[16] and ^[17] of the Gay Christian Movement Watch

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/06/22/texas-ex-gay-activist-i-know-at-least-500-people-who-have-changed-their-sexuality/

References

[1] ttp://www.Joel225.org

[2] ttp://comingoutloved.com/Websites/comingoutloved/images/JoelWebinar-Flyer-final-2.pdf

[3] ttp://joel225.org/j225_011.htm

[4] ttp://www.truthwinsout.org/news/2014/01/39175/

[5] ttp://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20140620-texas-republicans-backing-puts-spotlight-on-therapy-for-gays.ece

[6] ttp://www.texasobserver.org/meet-ex-gay-man-behind-texas-gops-reparative-therapy-plank/

[7] ttp://www.star-telegram.com/2014/06/10/5890270/texas-gops-gay-therapy-stand-misunderstood.html?rh=1

[8] ttp://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2014/06/12/65131

[9] ttp://www.patheos.com/blogs/warrenthrockmorton/2014/06/13/religious-right-politics-and-the-ex-gay-movement-get-back-together-in-texas/

[10] ttp://www.democraticunderground.com/107818763

[11] ttp://www.gaystarnews.com/article/ex-gay-advocate-defends-texas-republican-support-conversion-therapy220614

[12] ttp://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/06/22/texas-ex-gay-activist-i-know-at-least-500-people-who-have-changed-their-sexuality/

[13] ttp://www.wfaa.com/story/local/2014/09/05/14229174/

[14] ttp://www.myssajourney.blogspot.com/2014/06/texas-gop-reparative-therapy-platform.html

[15] ttp://www.citizenlink.com/2014/06/10/texas-gop-platform-supports-change-therapy/

[16] ttp://www.citizenlink.com/2014/06/12/texas-the-truth-about-reparative-therapy-in-the-rpt-platform/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Citizenlink+(CitizenLink)

[17] Daryl L. Foster

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