May 28, 2001
Atlanta, Georgia
Dr. James Merritt
President, Southern Baptist Convention
2400 East Main Street
Snellville, GA 30078
Dear Dr. Merritt,
On May 9, 2001, a report was released into the national press by Dr. Robert Spitzer which stated that through sustained faith in God and committed reparative therapy, homosexual men and women can experience change from their unwanted homosexual inclinations and actions. Though there has been a firestorm of controversy and vicious negative reaction from gay rights advocates, the truth remains: God specializes in things men call impossible.
I am writing as a pastor and President of PowerfulChange, a nationwide fellowship of African American-led outreach ministries to homosexuals. These are commonly known as "exgay" ministries.
Dr. Merritt, we are particularly concerned and alarmed at the pressure and tactics being used by Mel White and the group Soulforce against Christian denominations who oppose homosexuality. I'm sure you are aware that Mr. White has posted letters to you on his website asking to meet with you and your Executive Board, before the SBC meeting in New Orleans June 12-13, 2001.
We pray that you will make a godly decision and refuse to meet with Mr. White and any of his
representatives concerning this matter. As he has demonstrated through his subversive tactics with Rev Jerry Farwell, Dr. James Dobson and others, his agenda in arranging these meetings is to give credibility to his organization and the so-called gay Christian movement..
We ardently disagree that anyone who spreads heretical doctrine as a "representative of Christ" is not worthy of any credible recognition from leaders in the church. The letter states many of Mr. White's anti-God, anti-Bible beliefs:
"Current SBC teachings and actions against sexual minorities lead to discrimination, suffering and even death."
This alone refutes the clear (not SBC teaching) but Biblical standard that ALL sexual sin is immoral and unacceptble to God. Mr. White claims that he is committing these acts of "public sacrifice" via jail time, fines,and legal problems all to get you to meet with him. Again,we discourage any meeting with Mr. White. This is his goal and prize.
Dr. Merritt, we remind you of those who constantly said and did like actions to get Nehemiah to come down off the wall. At one point they even asked him to come to the temple and pray, but he refused. They used intimidation, mockery, and sedition to stop his God-ordained work, but he steadfastly and consistently refused. We ask that you model your response to Mr. White after Nehemiah's bold work, which in time completed the walled defense of Jerusalem. We pray that you do like wise and complete the defense of the church. Hundreds of exhomosexual men and women from all walks of life are standing with you and praying for you. If you have not already done so, please respond to Mr. White decisively with your refusal to meet with him.
PowerfulChange is counting on you and other Christian soldiers in the SBC to fight the good fight of faith! Please keep stressing to the media and others that God specializes in the impossible.
We are available for public comment and resource pertaining to the African American community and homosexuality.
In His grace,
DL Foster, President
Chris R. Johnson, Vice President Region East
Victoria C. Jones, Vice President, Region West
Member Ministries:
Jesus the High Priest Ministry/Atlanta
Zoe Life Ministry/New Orleans
New Life Ministry/Dallas
Out of the Fire/Miami
Transformation Christian Ministry/Washington DC
WITNESS! Inc/Atlanta
Transformed Image/San Jose
Set Free Ministries/Wichita
