A 'leading voice on biblical sexuality', the pastor died in New Zealand on April 20
Image via YouTube
ROGERS, above, was both gay and transsexual. But that ended when he decided homosexuality was ‘sinful.’ He fell into the arms of Jesus and embarked on a mission to to re-orientate gays, and in so doing left in his wake a trail of wrecked lives.
One young American who attempted suicide after being forced at his Philadelphia school to watch Rogers’ video One of the Boys: The Sy Rogers Story, was Adam Dobson.
After the video was shown, Dobson says, he was subjected to a campaign of prayer sessions with his house parents at Milton Hershey School to help him renounce homosexuality.
Dobson later attempted suicide by wrapping a belt around his neck. He said he was expelled when he told school officials of his suicidal thoughts.
Later, another student at the school , Marcous Marchese, was told to watch the same video. He said:
I was a wreck. … You should not have people make you feel like you are the scum of the earth.
At one points Rogers took on the role of President of a highly discredited “gay cure” outfit, Exodus International. In 2012, then President Alan Chambers renounced conversion therapy, saying it did not work and was harmful.
The following year, Chambers closed the organisation and apologised for the “pain and hurt” participants of their programs had experienced. Several other prominent former members, including John Paulk, have made similar apologies. While Exodus International no longer operates, many of its member ministries continue to do so, either forming new networks, joining existing ones such as the Exodus Global Alliance or operating independently.
Despite ruining lives, Rogers’ devotees appear to regard this despicable fraud as a saint of sorts. According to Charisma News, Rogers was outspoken about his biblical beliefs regarding homosexuality, gender identity and sexual purity.
Image via YouTube
It reported that US evangelist Jentezen Franklin, above, took to Instagram yesterday (Monday) to eulogise the “popular preacher.”
Sy Rogers lived a life of truth, sharing the hope and grace found in Jesus with everyone he could. After battling cancer, he was welcomed home with Jesus this morning … Our hearts and prayers are with his wife Karen, their children and grandchildren.
Other popular preachers and teachers expressed their sadness at Rogers’ death. Priscilla Shirer wrote in response to Franklin’s post:
This is a huge loss for the Church ….and for any of us who knew him. His message and ministry was INCREDIBLY unique. His brilliance was astounding.
Pastor Greg Laurie said he had met Rogers and believed he was “a wonderful guy.”
Image via YouTube
Hillsong co-founder Bobbie Houston, above, wrote:
Brian and I are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of dear friend Sy Rogers today. Sy was truly one of the kindest people you could ever meet. He exemplified grace and freedom and a passion to always bless others. We will miss you Sy.
You ran your race perfectly, always giving honor to your Savior King. Our sincere love and prayers are with Karen and family. Heaven truly welcomed home a treasure today who will light up that landscape with his warmth, humor and goodness. With love and affection – Brian, Bobbie and your global Hillsong family.
Teacher John Bevere called Rogers a “great general in the kingdom” who “went home to his reward.”
Sy Rodgers (sic), you have impacted so many lives and have been so faithful to our Lord Jesus, I look forward to the day of our reunion in heaven with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and our families!
The preacher allegedly battled kidney cancer years earlier but was in remission for five years. But in the fall of 2019, his cancer reportedly returned. In response, he canceled his speaking events and shut down his social media accounts so he could focus on his health. He was 63.
Hat tip: Stephen Harvie
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April 22, 2020
This article is hate speech.
Having watched Sky Rogers speak, there was no malice in him or in what he said. It is you who are speaking hate, sad to say. In addition you label those who mourn him “ homophobes.” That is not only hate speech it is very presumptuous.
Sy Rogers will be greatly missed by many who appreciated his humanity, his courage, his sense of humour, his intelligence and his honesty.
April 22, 2020
Had Rogers apologised for the damage he’d done with his involvement with Exodus International and other ex-gay ministries I might have penned a more sympathetic piece. But, unlike others involved with that despicable outfit who DID apologise, he kept quiet. Furthermore, the anti-gay material he created is still being used by some pastors, Christian parents, friends and Christian ministries to push their own agenda and will make statements such as “if Sy Rogers can change then so can you, you just have to be willing and have faith”. This has resulted in untold suffering, mental health issues and even suicides.
In 2017 Anthony Venn-Brown who knew Rogers said: “Personally, if I knew that my outdated materials were splitting up Christian parents and their children, creating depression, mental health issues, thoughts of and attempts to suicide, I’d be horrified and do all I could to correct that. It just needs a simple and very clear statement. At the very least a clear and simple statement. What, of course, would be far better would be a sincere and genuine apology for the decades of devastation his message ‘you are broken, God can heal you’ has wrought in the lives of countless LGBT people.”
April 24, 2020
What if it is not a clear and simple issue?
What if the truth is, “you are broken, God can heal you.”
That is the message of the gospel to everyone. It is not reserved for gays.
Sy Rogers evidently experienced the truth of it in his own life and shared it with others. Some found it beneficial, others didn’t.
I was deeply offended by your headline, on Sy’s behalf and also my own. I am not a homophobe. In the 1970s I held one end of a gay pride banner at a demo because I hate persecution, and people I love are gay. They’re family. I’m now a born again Christian. I have no knowledge of “that despicable outfit,” but I know that the issues are very complex and thorny. Christians are the most persecuted group in the world. Sy did not avoid persecution by embracing Jesus Christ. He was a brave and honest man.
April 24, 2020
PS Sy Rogers had faith and was willing to change, but from what he said he had a lot more than that. He is not responsible for the damage other people did or do in his name. Jesus is not responsible for the appalling atrocities committed by other people in his name. Neither are they the sum total of his influence.