What is your churches stance on “the gay question”?  In other words … Are you LGBTQ affirming?  Do you perform gay marriages?  Do you consider homosexuality a sin? Is this a church where I can belong and find a home?

Our name answers the question best.  We are a REFUGE.  We are a safe place for ALL people (and we mean it).

The message of love and compassion is at the core of the life and ministry of Jesus.  That is why it’s so disheartening that many of our gay brothers and sisters have become the punching bag for many churches. And that is why we have a passion to help move the Church (capital C) towards full affirmation of the LGBTQ community.

It should be noted, that not everyone at Refuge agrees on “the gay question“. That’s OK. In fact, that’s a testament to our culture.  A safe place for ALL PEOPLE, truly means ALL PEOPLE.  

At Refuge, you will find misfits just like you. Straight. Gay. Black. White. Rich. Poor. Progressive. Conservative. You will find members (and leaders) who are in committed same sex relationships.  And you’ll find plenty trying to figure it all out, but desiring to be part of a church where they can work through their deconstruction and reconsctruction without fear of judgment.

If you are looking for a safe place to explore and restore your faith in Jesus and His Church drop by this Saturday night at 5:30pm.  We’re on the corner of Brantley & Crystal in Fort Myers.

In the summer of 2021, I (Brian) preached a message called The Gay Question as part of our summer series of Difficult Questions that further expounds upon this question and my personal position.