Why Live Out Loud? - David Fountain, Conference Director

As we prepare for the 31st Annual Freedom Conference, I reflect back on my first conference. I felt afraid of the unknown and unsure if I should even attend. After praying, I really sensed that this conference was going to be the beginning point of awesome plans that God had for me; I was determined to go every year after that. Now, at the start of 2006, God has me here, managing the 2005 Conference and even planning the next few conferences. Wow!

Celebrating my one year anniversary here on staff with Exodus, I still know I am at the center of God’s will for my life, and see God's favor in the ministry of Exodus; He is our Provider in every way.

It has also been eye-opening and disturbing to see regularly how Exodus is portrayed and attacked. It brings to reality Matthew 5:10 – 12, when Jesus preached, “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom. Not only that, count yourself blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close to comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens, give cheer even, for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds.”

Exodus and our message is often misunderstood and resented. On a long flight home from a Groundswell Conference in Seattle, I was reflecting on our time there. A female pastor of the Unity Church in Seattle had stood up at the meeting in anger, attacking us and our message that anyone could be healed of unwanted same sex struggle. Her message was that we should love everyone and even encourage strugglers to accept being gay as who they are. How good and sweet that sounds. How Satan uses and twists the truth. This pastor challenged what I know is the truth: Our identity is found in Christ and nothing else. I felt anger that she was attacking the very God that I knew and loved; a God who has rescued me and has rescued thousands of others.

How could she not see that?

The bigger picture became more clear to me -- Christians and the Church at large are under attack. Even within the church there is confusion and compromise when it comes to homosexuality. Satan will stop at nothing to silence us from sharing God’s truth. We all carry redemptive stories that is proof of God’s existence; stories that prove that Jesus is alive and through His Holy Spirit still saving and healing people. But we believe a message that is unpopular, even hated. He allows us to share in His own suffering.

“Live Out Loud!” Jesus says, “...You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand – Shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, the generous Father in Heaven.”

As Christians, Jesus challenges us to start thinking Kingdom thoughts. He taught in meeting places and healed bruised, hurt lives. His heart broke for the confused and aimless. Jesus proclaimed, “What a huge harvest! How few the workers!”

Just like this Unity church pastor and so many other people in this world, our motives are challenged. Our reputation is being smeared, just because we refuse to compromise the truth. Jesus encouraged His disciples, “Don’t be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they’ve done you and me a favor, giving you a platform for preaching kingdom news! And don’t worry about what you’ll say and how you’ll say it. The right words will be there, the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.” When people realize that it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you. There is great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don’t quit. Don’t cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. Let’s take His challenge this year and Live Out Loud! After all, we’ve already won and they don’t have a chance!

David Fountain

(Verses taken from Matthew Chapters 5 and 10 out of The Message Remix)
What does Living Out Loud mean to you? Click here to send your post to the conference team. (conference@exodus.to)

Personal Testimonies