The rhetoric sure flies fast and furious on this site. A friend tipped me off earlier today that I was mentioned a time or two so I had to come and see what all the fuss is about.

Regarding the founders of Exodus, I always thought of it being Mike Bussee and Jim Kaspar. Although, from Mike's comments, I see that Gary should have been included, too. These three men actually planned the gathering that evolved into Exodus. Frank Worthen's name also comes up because his ministry, Love In Action, was already several years old by the time of that first gathering and he was a major player in the first gathering.

So, Mike, Jim and Gary as EXIT were the planners and the hosts. Other key participants from established ministries such as Frank Worthen. Greg Reid and Ron Dennis were present and active when Exodus was formed. In retrospect, all six could be called "founders". I believe that all of them had networked informally before the first gathering. All of them were involved in the discussions that led to the forming of "the looseknit coalition of ministries" that assumed the name Exodus.

I, however, was not present. I attended the second gathering that was held in San Rafael as a representative from Christ for the Nations in Dallas, Texas. I don't recall speaking out much at that gathering so I was surprised to see my name in Mike's blogs as one of the 'originals'. In 1978, I began co-directing Outpost Ministries with Robbi Kenney. It was then that I began to have a voice in the directions that Exodus was taking.

I remember some discussions about a common, easily understood 'handle' that ministries could use. I supported the term "ex-gay" 1) because it was an adjective not a label. 2) because "ex" meant "out of" and little more. It could apply to the person who just 'left the lifestyle' yesterday and the one that was 5 or 10 years down the road and 3) because "ex" had a tie-in to EXodus. For these reasons, it still seems to me to be an appropriate handle.

I also want to commend your site. I appreciate reading your comments and the blogs by Mike and grantdale. I didn't know that a forum that allowed voices from all sides to be heard existed. I have always felt that we didn't have all the answers about sexual identity and confusion...and that it was problematic that the only ones attempting to address the issue were 'homespun ministers' rather than professional psychologists. Please keep up the lively rants!