Articles
Please take the time to read the helpful articles related to homosexuality listed below:
- What Will It Take? – Christianity and influencing culture
- A Changed Life - Testimony of Mike Goeke
- P3 Testimony – A pastor's testimony regarding ministry to those impacted by homosexuality
- Easter - The power of the resurrection
- It Starts - Why Pastors Must Engage the Church in Redemptive, Same Sex Attraction Ministry, By: Patrick Payton
- Be The Church – The simplicity of the church ministering effectively to the sexually broken.
- "Baptist Boy" – Mike Goeke's motivation for ministry
Resources
Books:
- You Don't Have to be Gay, by Jeff Konrad
- Restoring Sexual Identity, by Anne Paulk
- When Homosexuality Hits Home, by Joe Dallas
• Gods Grace and the Homosexual Next Door, by Alan Chambers (Mike Goeke is a contributing author)
• Leaving Homosexuality, by Alan Chambers (Mike Goeke is a contributing author)
• Books recommended above available at www.exodusbooks.org
- Triage: Crisis Management When Your Marriage Is Impacted by Homosexuality, by Mike and Stephanie Goeke (available by calling Stonegate Fellowship, 432.694.5100 or emailing cpm@stonegatefellowship.com).
Ministry Focus
CPM has a two-fold focus:
CPM has a two-fold focus: the church and married couples impacted by homosexuality.
CPM's church focused ministry is primarily one of equipping and educating the church to be a place of grace, truth and hope for all persons impacted by homosexuality. CPM achieves that end by:
- Speaking to churches, pastors, and churches about homosexuality and ministry to persons impacted by homosexuality.
- Teaching seminars and workshops designed to demystify homosexuality and to equip the church to minister effectives to persons impacted by homosexuality.
- Writing essays, articles and blogs regarding the church's response to homosexuality and ministry to persons impacted by homosexuality.
CPM's marriage focused ministry is based on its belief that marriages impacted by homosexuality can not only survive, but can thrive in ways beyond the imagination of either spouse. CPM's ministry to married couples includes:
- Lay/pastoral (neither Mike nor Stephanie are licensed professional counselors) counseling (in person, by phone and by email) for couples and individuals
- Annual CPM Marriages and Mentors Conference, a weekend conference for marriages impacted by homosexuality and for their friends who are walking with them through the struggle.
- Steadfast, a one day conference within a conference at the annual Exodus International Freedom Conference for married couples impacted by homosexuality.
- The resource Triage: Crisis Management When Your Marriage is Impacted by Homosexuality.
Doctrinal Statement
CPM believes that the Bible is God's Word to all men, and that it was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth and authority for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is true without any mixture of error. We believe that God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe, eternally existing in three co-equal persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and is co-equal with the Father. We believe that He lived a sinless, human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men on a cross. We believe that He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over death, and that He ascended into Heaven and will return to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
We believe that salvation is a gift from God to man, and is possible ONLY by trusting in Jesus Christ (Gods only offer for forgiveness) can man be saved from sins penalty. We believe that the Holy Spirit lives in every Christ follower, and gives the power for living, understanding and implementing Spiritual truth. We believe that a persons salvation is a matter of the heart between man and God and is not for us to judge or decide. We believe that the Christian should seek to live under the control of the Holy Spirit daily. We believe that the Church of Jesus Christ is comprised of all those who accept and know Him as their Lord and Savior, without regard for denominational beliefs or affiliations.
Who We Are
Mike and Stephanie Goeke were married in September of 1994. Their marriage was rocked when Mike walked out in November of 1996 to pursue a life built around his long-time struggle with homosexuality. After six months of separation, they reconciled and began the rebuilding of their individual lives and their marriage. In 1999, they formed Cross Power Ministries. In 2001, Mike left the practice of law to go on staff at Stonegate Fellowship in Midland, Texas, as Executive Pastor. In 2005, Mike took the position of Executive Vice President and Church Liaison for Exodus International in Orlando, Florida. They moved back to Midland in December of 2006, and Mike is currently a pastor in the counseling department of Stonegate Fellowship, where part of his duties include running and growing CPM. Mike and Stephanie have three young children, Margaret, Frances and Peter.
Positional Statement
Homosexuality: CPM upholds heterosexuality as God's creative intent for humanity and views homosexual activity and expression as outside of God's design. CPM believes that homosexual behavior, not the feelings or the struggle, is sinful, and views it as an equal with any sinful behavior as described in God's Word. CPM believes that the redemptive power of Jesus Christ is available to all sinners, including the homosexual sinner. His redemptive work frees us from the power of sin, and changes us in ways that are not always clear to the outside world, but are always powerful and real to the changed man or woman.
Behavior and Identity: We believe that while celibacy outside of the marriage union between a man and a woman is necessary for ALL men and women, Jesus Christ offers abundant life and a new identity that far transcends controlled behavior. Jesus Christ offers every man the opportunity to grow into their full identity as His child, and an identity that is never defined by struggle or sin.
The Church: CPM believes that it is the role of the Body of Christ to stand against hate and bullying against any person, including those homosexually identified. CPM believes that regardless of behavior, the role of the Body of Christ is to reach out to all persons, including homosexually identified and struggling persons, with the love of Jesus Christ as exhibited by Jesus himself in his ministry on earth.
Tolerance and Respect: CPM does not condone bullying, gay jokes, gay parody or un-edifying speech of any kind, in any venue. While CPM acknowledges that the gay community's beliefs on topics expressed here will certainly vary widely from CPM's beliefs, CPM will make every effort to avoid being put in a place of 'opposition' to any person living homosexually or supporting homosexual rights and/or legislation.
Political Involvement: While CPM understands that some organizations are called to speak out on political issues, CPM will not be a voice in any debate over any political issue, including those related to homosexuality.
Therapy Methods: CPM does not endorse reparative therapy or any other therapy method. CPM is not a therapy organization and therefore has no position on therapy methods. The lay counseling done by CPM can be mainly characterized as Spiritual, Biblical and relational in nature.
CPM believes that true change best occurs in the context of true discipleship.
Change: CPM believes that change is possible for all men and women, without regard for the source of their struggle or the depth of their feelings. CPM believes that the change worked by God through the process of discipleship and daily surrender looks different for each person, and cannot be limited or labeled. Change may or may not involve changed feelings. Change through Jesus Christ is a deeply rooted change in identity that transcends feelings and circumstances.
Ministry Facts
- • CPM does not seek to change anyone, and exists for those struggling with unwanted homosexual feelings and to encourage the church to understand and love BOTH those struggling with homosexual feeling and those living contentedly as homosexuals with the love and understanding of Jesus Christ.
- • CPM does not do reparative therapy or any sort of group support or counseling.
- • CPM provides lay/pastoral counseling (in person, by phone and by email) and resources for single persons as well as married persons.
- • CPM does not charge for its lay/pastoral counseling.