Andy Wells returns to the podcast with an update on his popular book, Tried to be Straight. The first two-part interview with Andy has been one of the most popular BWM episodes to date. In that episode, Andy shares his journey growing up in church (All Saints Episcopal Church and Lake Avenue Congregational Church both in Pasadena, CA) where he served in leadership roles - and on to college and graduate school where he earned a Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics at Biola University. After struggling for decades with his identity - including association with the now defunct Exodus International and “reparative therapy” - he tells his “coming out” story. Andy remains a committed Christian and dedicated student and teacher of the Bible. Today’s episode gets us current. Because of his book, Andy has counseled countless others in the LGBTQ+ community who struggle with their own identity, parents whose children have “come out,” and Christians who maintain a moral objection to non-hetero sexuality but want to maintain a positive relationship with everyone. Andy has been invited to speak and share his book with groups who have shared their appreciation and help. Andy endorses high-impact groups like Free Mom Hugs and Real Momma Bears. He shares his new book project designed to give language that builds bridges rather than walls. This is an important interview you will not want to miss - and then share it with your friends. SHOW NOTES
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In Part II of Ken's interview with Andy Wells, the two talk about the impact of the Nashville Statement and Andy's apologetics professor at Biola University, J.P. Moreland. Andy tells about his experience in leadership at a large evangelical church which led to "conversion" or "reparative therapy," and then his "coming out." The Exodus Movement is shut down. He talks about liberal Christianity, but theologically, he remains a conservative. Andy's new church, St. Gregory's of Nyssa in San Francisco brought renewal, hope and a supportive community. SHOW NOTES
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The Podcast Official Site: TheBeachedWhiteMale.com
With difficulty, at age 36, Andy Wells came out as gay. He's about to release a book entitled - Tried to be Straight, Biblical Options for Gay Christians. In Part I, Ken follows Andy's journey that took him from Episcopalian to Congregational all in historic Pasadena. He had a profound conversion experience that changed everything. As a new evangelical Christian, Andy shares his faith with Heidi Fleiss, the Hollywood Madam. He encountered questions he could not answer so he enrolled at Simon Greenleaf, then Biola University and completed a M.A. in Apologetics. He talks openly about his growing awareness of his own sexuality but his need to keep the gnawing conflict to himself. In Part II, Andy talks about his experience with reparative therapy, the Exodus Movement, and finally his coming out, and his continued, robust faith - his love for Jesus, the Bible and his new-found community. SHOW NOTES
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The Podcast Official Site: TheBeachedWhiteMale.com
Recorded: July 1, 2021
Posted: PART I July 3, 2021 – PAJuly 9, 2021RT II
Andy enjoys numerous hobbies and skills. Over the years, he’s been a pilot, sailor, international competitive windsurfer, musician, HAM radio operator, and SCUBA diver. Flying around the western states has become Andy’s favorite pastime, with over 1,100 hours logged in the pilot’s seat. He uses this hobby to offer flights in charity auctions to meet new people and enjoys seeing the charities grow as a result.
Professionally, Andy spent 15 years in the fire service before becoming an emergency preparedness professional at a nuclear power plant. Andy remains a professional in the field of emergency preparedness in the utility industry.
He has presented at several churches on numerous topics, including apologetics, strategizing liturgies and programs to reach across generation gaps, and his favorite portion of Scripture,
Hebrews 10-12.
Andy has had a boyfriend for the past 6 years. His brother, Peter, is a former Olympic athlete, and his sister, Susan, is raising four great kids with her husband. Andy’s mother passed in 2019. His father still lives in the house Andy grew up in. At the time of his mother’s passing, his parents had been together 64 years
https://www.triedtobestraight.com/
Growing up in the Pasadena area of Los Angeles, Andy has lived in Oklahoma and on Catalina Island, where he ran a youth camp for a few years. With an adventurous spirit, he has rappelled from a Sikorsky rescue helicopter, flown an airplane upside down, and worked inside the containment building of an operating nuclear reactor.
His glowing approach to life shines through Andy’s writing.
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Get your copy of Chapter 1 and updates on the release of the book.
For years, a debate has continued over what churches should do with LGBT people, how Christians should treat gays, and what the Bible has to say about our modern phenomenon of committed, loving gay relationships.
In the midst of all this, there’s a group of people who are struggling with what to do with themselves. They believe the Bible. They trust the pastors leading their churches. They want to remain accepted by their Christian friends and family and by God.
How should a person who loves Jesus respond when their sexual desires go against what they’ve been taught in the Bible? This book will equip Christians struggling with their sexuality to build a faith that works. Coming Spring, 2021
Tried to be Straight: Options for Gay Christians is written to the people who need solutions, because the all-too-frequent advice of “just don’t be gay” doesn’t work.
More Pending
