Hello

[Pauliepops]

Hello
My name is Paul an I am a 40yr old christian in Basingstoke in England. I was a full time church worker in a large charismatic church. Struggled with my sexuality from my conversion at 16 years of age. Married at 21 had 4 children 2 years apart. Wonderfl wife who knew I was gay and like me held out for the so called "Healing". No such healing arrived became depressed an suicidal. In 2001 given an ultimatum truly repent or be put out of fellowship. My wife and I resigned our membership left the church and slowly began to dissolve or marriage. Still best friends with Sarah and all my kids know the truth about their Dad. I am so blessed by them all. Lost my way for a few years and recentlty began to see God was still at work in my life. I am now a teacher and am involved in an LGBT youth group as a volunteer leader. I am also engaging the churches in my town in dialogue around sexuality and injustice. Read an article in Gay Times about the soulforce bus and wanted to learn more. Hope to hear from some of you guys soon. Paulx

[u-dog]

Hello
My name is Paul an I am a 40yr old christian in Basingstoke in England. I was a full time church worker in a large charismatic church. Struggled with my sexuality from my conversion at 16 years of age. Married at 21 had 4 children 2 years apart. Wonderfl wife who knew I was gay and like me held out for the so called "Healing". No such healing arrived became depressed an suicidal. In 2001 given an ultimatum truly repent or be put out of fellowship. My wife and I resigned our membership left the church and slowly began to dissolve or marriage. Still best friends with Sarah and all my kids know the truth about their Dad. I am so blessed by them all. Lost my way for a few years and recentlty began to see God was still at work in my life. I am now a teacher and am involved in an LGBT youth group as a volunteer leader. I am also engaging the churches in my town in dialogue around sexuality and injustice. Read an article in Gay Times about the soulforce bus and wanted to learn more. Hope to hear from some of you guys soon. Paulx


Welcome Paul! You have found your way home! There are many here whose stories parallel your own in significant ways. Mine among them. I am still married ("Polly" is a member here also) am out to her and to my mostly grown sons and have also been affirmed by them and other important members of my family. You are right, it is an AMAZING blessing especially when you read the heartbreaking stories of some of the members here. I hope you will become a regular participant here! I look forward to getting to know you better.

Dave

[paul]

Greetings Paulx

And welcome. You will find many here who can relate to you and have rapport with. My story has many similarities to yours as well. I am sorry to hear of your difficult journey but am glad that you have found a place in life. I look forward to getting to know you.

paul

[Gennee]

Welcome to Soulforce, Paul. I pray :pray: that you find the support and friendship here.

Gennee

[Zerbie]

Welcome Paul,

My - all that by the age of 40! What a journey! It sounds like it has taken you to an exciting place full of opportunity, where you can make a real difference in the world, and nurture your relationships in an authentic way.

Thanks for saying hello. Come back and chat some more.

[Jennifer5]

Welcome! We're glad to have you here!

You sound like you've been through a lot and your stories seem to have happy endings! (although, not really endings... when a story is a life story it doesn't ever really end)

Hope you come back and join in some conversations or begin your own! :love:

[d_pedr]

Hi Paul

Welcome to Soulforce. I'm another Brit, not far away in Horsham (W Sussex).

I must hold out my hand and congratulate you on managing to start dialogues with the local churches. My only experience was being the only voice in a debate and vote about forbidding Gay ministers the right to lead as minister - needless to say the vote went in favour of the motion. But a few didn't vote, and some voted against the motion (i.e. for gay ministers being alowed to continue ministering) - I'd like to think some were influenced by what I'd said, so it wasn't the whitewash some were wanting.

Its good to know that your wife was supportive, and resigned from the church with you.

Mine knew I was bi, but left to be with another, and without our two children. She still insists that they are kept ignorant of my sexuality, which I have respected, although I think my older child has an incling, and if asked directly I would not lie.

Once again welcome, and I hope you enjoy the forums, and the site.

Love and Hugs