As Lambeth 2008 is taking place in England, my partner and I of Other Sheep will be visiting Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.  We have been invited by three pastors -- two in Kenya:  Rev. Michael Kimindu (Anglican) and Rev. John Makokha (United Methodist Church); and a third pastor in Uganda, Rev. Kiyimba Brown (Pentecostal).

 

One of the things we hope to accomplish is to meet with pastors and lay leaders, as well as lay people in general, who would like to discus with us our experience and views on homosexuality.  We are happy to meet with any size group; to even meet with one-on-one.

 

My partner and I both come from an evangelical background and Bible college training in the United States.  For the longest time we held the view that the Bible condemned all homosexual acts.  After much time in counseling and study we have come to a different opinion.  In a nonaggressive manner, we would like to share our story and our studies with any interested person.

 

Although we are not Kenyans ourselves, we personally know many gay Christian Kenyans, including Anglicans, who can not openly tell their story for fear of rejection and loss of church and family and livelihood.  Having heard their stories, we wish to speak on their behalf.

 

Below is our itinerary.  If you, or someone you know, would like to meet with us for an informal meeting, we would be very happy to do so. 

 

(Rev*) Steve Parelli, MDiv and

Jose Ortiz, MS in Applied Psychology

Other Sheep

 

*Defrocked by a local Baptist congregation for having entered into a same-sex committed relationship in 1997.