Homosexuality
 

Victory Life Center AIDS Policy

Victory Life Center welcomes those with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) and their families with love and acceptance. The Christian response to a person with HIV/AIDS must be compassionate, helpful, and redemptive. Jesus, as our example, cared for those with disease with a personal demonstration of God's love (Luke 5:12-16). Therefore, we the people of Victory Life Center stand together in the following:

    * We believe in the value of human life as a gift from God, thus we believe that all people, healthy and diseased, are loved by God.
 

    * We do not believe that those who have tested positive for HIV or have AIDS have incurred a direct punishment from God.
 

    * No one with HIV will be excluded from the life, activities and fellowship of Victory Life Center.

    * We encourage everyone, including those who have AIDS or have tested positive for HIV, to make a personal commitment to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
 

    * We understand that since this virus is not spread by casual contact, there is no risk of contacting the AIDS virus from any infected adult or child in the church setting.
 

And therefore:

    * We welcome all children and adults who are HIV+ to join us in worship, School of Leaders, Bible Study, Cell Groups, special events, and all church activities.
 

    * Infants with HIV/AIDS will not be allowed in the Nursery with other babies because of their special needs, but parents are encouraged to bring them to our Services.
 

    * We commit to educate and teach God's values! AIDS is preventable! It can be prevented by avoiding sexual contact before marriage and by maintaining a faithful, monogamous, heterosexual relationship with an uninfected person in marriage. It can also be prevented by avoiding intravenous drug use.
 

As a Church, we commit to stand with Jesus Christ in expressing His compassion and love!

We ask for a confidential disclosure to a member of our Church Leadership so that we might assist in seeking Godly direction and love.

"A new commandment I give you: Love one another as I have loved you, so you must love one another. All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another."

Coming Out of the Closet
 

You may be an individual that has taken a bold step from being private about your homosexuality to making a public acknowledgment that you are homosexual. The common term for this is “coming out of the closet”. We are sure that was a giant step for you.

You may have experienced some negative feedback from others when you did this. We as a church do not want to do anything to add more shame, embarrassment, or that hate that you may have experienced-especially from some Christians. At the same time, we are “…not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”. Romans 1:16 (NASB) 

The word salvation means more than salvation. It is the Greek word soteria and it means salvation, deliverance, preservation. God wants to do more than just save us from hell, He wants to deliver us from sin.

The Bible teaches that the practice of homosexuality is sin.
“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” Leviticus 18:22 (NRSV) 

 “Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, [10] nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Cor. 6:9-10 (NASB) 

Those who are homosexuals are living in darkness. You may have “come out of the closet”. How about now coming out of darkness into the glorious light?

“…that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” 1 Peter 2:9 (NASB) 

 “For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,” Col. 1:13 (NASB) 

You can be delivered from homosexuality. It can be hard, but it can be accomplished. Remember if God says homosexuality is sin, and He is on your side, (because you have accepted Jesus as your Lord & Savior) then God is obligated to help you to be set free from homosexuality.

(Before you get too defensive or offended, we understand that many of you may feel you were born homosexual and cannot help it. Please consider the possibility of another option.  "The Condition of Male Homosexuality" and "The Condition of Female Lesbianism". We believe you will find this information very helpful.)
 

Here are some Steps to Freedom from Homosexuality
1. Come to an understanding that homosexuality is a gender identity issues, not a sexual issue.
 

2. Acknowledge your need of God’s help to be healed from childhood and other experiences.
 

3. Be accountable to someone you respect and trust.
 

4. Find legitimate, healthy ways of meeting unmet needs.
 

5. Develop healthy friendships with same sex heterosexuals who understand your struggle.

6. Repent from unforgiveness, negative vows and judgments.
 

7. Most importantly, allow Jesus Christ to be the Lord of your life and best friend.
How to Become a Christian
 

If you live in the Capitol Hill area we have a family that lives in Capitol Hill that would love to be an encouragement to you. Pastor Richard and Carmi Dover have a cell group that meets on Thursday nights. Give them a call at 206-860-2945 or e-mail them.