Exodus (organization)
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| Founded | 1976 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Frank Worthen Michael Bussee Gary Cooper Ron Dennis Greg Reid |
| Dissolved | 2013 |
| Type | Nonprofit |
| Registration no. | 52-1413470 (EIN) |
| Location | |
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Members
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9 |
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Key people
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Alan Chambers, Former President |
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Revenue
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$1,118,268 (2010) |
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Employees
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23 |
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Volunteers
|
5 |
| Mission | "Mobilizing the body of Christ to minister grace and truth to a world impacted by homosexuality." |
| Website | exodusinternational.org (defunct) |
Exodus International was a non-profit, interdenominational ex-gay Christian umbrella organization connecting organizations that sought to help people who wished to limit their homosexual desires. It was founded in 1976 and ceased activities in June 2013. While Exodus International no longer operates, many of its member ministries continue to do so, either forming new networks or operating independently.
Exodus International asserted that reorientation of same-sex attraction is possible, but warned its members not to go to counselors who claim they could help eliminate all attractions to the same gender. It did not conduct clinical treatment but held the position that, "reparative therapy - a holistic, counseling approach to addressing unwanted same-sex attraction - can be a beneficial tool." Techniques could "include abstinence, lessening of homosexual temptations, strengthening their sense of masculine or feminine identity, correcting distorted styles of relating with members of the same and opposite gender."
At its peak Exodus included over 250 local ministries in the United States and Canada and over 150 ministries in 17 other countries. Although Exodus was formally an interdenominational Christian entity, it was most closely associated with Protestant and evangelical denominations. The Exodus Global Alliance was formed out of Exodus International in 1995 and continues to operate in support of Exodus networks outside of the United States.
In 1973, Frank Worthen (1929–2017) began a ministry called Love in Action, which ministered to homosexuals. A conference of various ministries to homosexuals was held in 1976 in the United States during which the ministries (including Love in Action) formed a coalition that called itself Exodus International North America. The conference became an annual event when it convened for the second time in 1977.
The conference continued until 1979, when many officials of Exodus North America left the organization due to internal divisions. In 1980, the Exodus North America Conference revived with new leadership and a renewed sense of purpose. Between 1981 and 1984, the views of Frank Worthen began to influence people outside of the United States through interviews and a book written by Kent Philpott called The Third Sex? Exodus International attracted the attention of Johan van de Sluis, who attended the 1981 conference and subsequently created Exodus Europe in coalition with Exodus North America. Exodus Europe held their first conference in 1982 in the Netherlands. Conferences were held annually, each year in a new country. Ministries to homosexuals also arose in Australia and New Zealand under Peter Lane; Brazil under Esly Carvalho; and Europe under Johan van de Sluis. Alan Medinger became the Director for Exodus North America. Medinger founded a ministry for homosexuals and pornography addicts called Regeneration. His position as Director of Exodus North America was filled in 1985 by Bob Davies.
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Wikipedia