This may be your first introduction to a conference that Grace, and other churches in Yakima, will be hosting at the end of October. The conference will be offered by a well-respected, much trusted, Christian organization, “The Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender.” I invite you to tour their website www.centerforfaith.com.

Because the topics of sexuality and gender will be the main focus of this conference, some have raised important and legitimate questions:

Q1: Are we, as a church, changing how we understand God’s design for human sexuality and gender identity?
A: The answer is no.

Q2: Why are we taking the risk, by hosting this conference, of offending people who are very passionate on both ends of this issue?
A: We believe we cannot not speak about what is on the minds, and in the lives, of so many in our community and country. The Christian Church, Grace of Christ and others, must add its voice, the voice of both Truth and Grace, to this very real and difficult conversation.

As a pastor, I have had numerous conversations with friends in our church who have asked how they, as a Christian, should interact with a son or daughter, a grandchild, niece, nephew, neighbor, or child of a good friend, who is identifying, and living, at odds with the traditional understanding of sexuality and gender. What should we do? How does God want us to respond?

This conference will help us, and it will help all Christians, and those who are not Christian, in our city and valley. These topics may be controversial, but they will not go away. The tide is rising and a Christian voice, and response, is vital.

How do we hold on to what we believe to be true and at the same time speak and act with genuine love? How do we maintain healthy relationships with those who disagree with us, so that when God opens a door for further conversation, we have not shut that door? Do we truly value, and hear, those who have made choices at odds with what we believe God intends? Jesus Christ is our only hope, and the only hope for every person we know and meet, no matter what they believe or how they have currently chosen to live their lives. Please plan to attend this important conference, and invite others, many others, to join you.

If you have questions or comments, please contact me:
(curt@yakimagrace.com) 509.248.7940

“Preston is one of the leading and trusted Christian voices when it comes to faith, sexuality, and gender. I wholeheartedly recommend that Christians learn from his work in this area.”
– Francis Chan, Pastor and Author

“As I have tried to navigate faithfully the issues of sexuality in our day...Preston does the best job I have found explaining the implications and applications of the Scriptures on these issues.”
– Matt Chandler, Pastor and Author

“God’s word and his truths never change, but cultures do. Living today in a culture that continually challenges historic church teachings on marriage and human sexuality, we need resources, teaching, and counsel that speak the truth in love for these times. This is what you’ll find at the Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender.”
– Karen Swallow Prior, Author and Professor