Alan Chambers Named 'Daniel of the Year'

For the last 14 years, World Magazine has given an award to a person who best exemplifies Christianity in the face of persecution and grace under pressure—essentially, Daniel in the lions' den. This year, the award goes to Alan Chambers, president of Exodus International, for bringing the message of hope through Christ to people who are struggling with their sexual identities.

Scripture tells us that Daniel stood strong for his faith against powerful rulers. Each year, World honors an individual who shows similar bravery – someone who puts his faith in God, defends God’s truth and stands against ungodly trends.

Alan Chambers leads Exodus International, a ministry for men and women with unwanted same-sex attractions. Alan and Exodus have faced opposition, scorn and criticism for years, from LGBT activists, from the news media and the entertainment world, and from those who revise theology to accommodate gay and lesbian relationships. Sadly, they have even experienced skepticism, confusion and ignorance from some in the church.

But they soldier on, proclaiming a biblical sexual ethic: Sexuality is a gift from God and was designed for expression between a husband and wife. Exodus, its members, and like-minded churches and ministries help people with unwanted same-sex attractions to live out that sexual ethic.

That’s not an easy task when our sex-saturated culture has bought into this ideology: If you have same-sex attractions, you are gay or bisexual; and if you are gay or bisexual, you should “come out” – identify yourself as such and live accordingly.

Christians choose a different identity; through Christ we become children of God and part of His church. With this new identity, our connection with God, and relationships in the church, believers begin a process of growth and change. In his own journey, as Alan engaged in this process, he began to find freedom from homosexuality.

Freedom from homosexuality doesn’t necessarily mean that someone with same-sex attractions never again experiences sexual temptation; it means that those attractions no longer define him or control his life.

Alan’s life demonstrates profound change, from a gay identity to an identity in Christ. And in the face of opposition and scorn, he proclaims biblical truth and grace. Being named “Daniel of the Year” is well-deserved recognition.

Kudos to you, Alan Chambers! God bless you and your wife.

2011 April Lorier Perspective