In first century Palestine, there were a group of people who lived between two worlds: tax collectors who converted to Christ. As a group, they faced a unique barrier to belonging.

On the one hand, they became bothered by certain practices that other tax collectors engaged in. As they left the typical tax collector way of life, they were leaving a supportive community. They weren’t welcome at the parties. Fellow tax collectors, who saw nothing wrong with the life they were living, looked upon them with contempt. The converted tax collectors paid a high price for considering their practices a moral issue.

On the other hand, they usually met with suspicion and disdain from the religious community, who had trouble trusting them (Matthew 9:9-11, Mark 2:14-16, Luke 15:1). Even church members had trouble seeing them as the cleansed sinners that they themselves were. Anyone coming into a church or synagogue wouldn’t want to mention that he was a tax collector.

To some extent, all followers of Christ are called to live between two worlds. But the Christian tax collector had a uniquely marginalized experience. He rarely felt at home anywhere.

We find that those women and men who come to Christ with unwanted same-sex attraction face a similar challenge to belonging. Often they are spurned by both their gay friends and their churches. If they wish to determine themselves differently, they get hate-mail from the first and a cold shoulder from the second.

Not here.

The Village Church exists for the marginalized, including those men and women with same sex attraction who wish to determine themselves differently. G.A.M.E., our Gender Affirming Ministry Endeavor, is here for those who struggle with unwanted same-sex attraction. Through confidential small group meetings, and membership in the Exodus International Church network, we provide a safe place for those exploring a Biblical alternative to the culture’s “Just be gay” message.

If you’d like to know more, email us or leave a voicemail at 646-863-6020. One of our GAME leaders will respond to you. You might also like to click here to read the Village Church’s position on homosexuality.

You’re welcome here because they always called Jesus Christ “a friend of tax collectors (you) and sinners (us)” (Matthew 11:19).