“And Jesus said unto them, ‘I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.'” John 6:35
Praise the Lord!
“And Jesus said unto them, ‘I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.'” John 6:35
Praise the Lord!
Requested by Preacher Jong Madlang-awa with a Filipino (church) audience in mind. The message is universal.
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Praise the Lord!
Prayer Partners: Thank you for your faithful support! 2020 was tough. We trust that one day we will look at Covid in the rearview mirror. But through it, the Lord reminded that suffering yields gratefulness for blessings big and small. Even the most bitter of unbelievers will have a testimony of thankfulness for simple things that we all previously took for granted – such as eating in a restaurant with family. “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4 |
2020 began with a much longer-than-expected stay in the U.S. The Lord used it. Many believe that they were born “gay”. Fighting back lies with truth, getting ex-gay testimony out there is vital. To recap highlights:
My testimony is not about me. It’s about what the Lord did for me, that He can do the same for anyone who is willing to repent and fight to follow.
The Lord Jesus Christ is truly “The God of the Impossible”.
“With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
Click here to read more about 2020 U.S. ministry.
In late October, we arrived in Cambodia and hopped back into the saddle. Highlights:
Evangelism with a Focus on Reaching the LGBT:
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15
“Long time, no see!” gave way to opportunity. Two men came to church with us. Sharing Ex-gay Testimony in Cambodian Churches & Schools: Before Christmas, I was honored to shared at a Bible school. Click below for video excerpts: |
I shared, and we sang at another church in the capital city this past Sunday. Five more churches are on deck. Praise the Lord! “Satan, which deceiveth the whole world… And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:9-11 Teaching Neighborhood Children: Against much opposition from culture and family, our neighborhood students are growing and did an excellent job again this year performing in church. Praise the Lord! |
Click here for more Christmas Ministry photos.
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
At 6pm that same evening, the students and their families joined us for Christmas dinner at a Korean restaurant.
Similar to last Christmas, the gospel – including the Second Coming of Christ – was shared prior to asking the blessing. Tracts were made available.
Buddhism focuses on “being a good person” / doing good. It can appear that the Christian is likewise “just trying to be a good person”. This confusion leads people to believe that “All religions are basically the same” and steers them around the cross to everlasting damnation. With unbelieving parents in attendance, my wife suggested that I use this occasion to clarify.
“…seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” 1 Timothy 4:1
“For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men…” Mark 7:8
So I worked with our Cambodian language teacher to get the proper words necessary to convey that message clearly. I shared that we do not “do good” because we are trying to “be good people” but because we want to point them to the Lord Jesus Christ – the only One who can save them… so that they will be ready to meet Him when they die. Click below for video excerpts:
Much thanks to Aunt Bobbie who contributed to bless the kids and their families for Christmas, 2020 & 2019.
Praise the Lord!
Ways to Partner with Us:
1. Pray for:
– Conviction, eyes to see and ears to hear for the LGBT.
– Revival for the U.S. – that we would stand for all timeless, Bible truth in these days no matter what the cost.
– Spiritual fruit from U.S. church engagements.
– Open hearts & spiritual fruit here in Southeast Asia.
– Stand with us in prayer for the promised son.
– Financial support to keep us in the field doing what I am called to do.
2. Click Here to Donate via PayPal (tax deductible)!
Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!
And Thank You for your support!
Thanks to #Unshackled for revising (some details changed) & acting out my #ExGay #Testimony as a dramatic story for radio.
Click the following link to listen (30 mins) – https://unshackled.org/program/matthew-karchner-pg/
Praise the Lord!
Moved to support our ministry? Please click here.
Father & prodigal son sing together. God restores.
“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” Psalm 18:2
Praise the Lord!
Video #1 – ExGay Testimony: Matthew Karchner with dog Snoopy
Description: How the Lord brought me to repentance and delivered me from a gay lifestyle 10 years ago. As of this recording, I am 42 years old. My wife and I serve as missionaries to the LGBTQ+. Praise the Lord!
Video #1b – The Karchners sing “He Lives”
Description: He is Risen! Praise God! “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” Romans 8:16
Video #2 – ExGay Ministry: Matthew & Rebekah Karchner
Description: Forgiven sin is ministry. What is the Lord doing with our prodigal son story? Referencing the Word of God as the source of truth, what have we learned from it? Praise the Lord!
Video #2b – The Karchners sing “The Old Rugged Cross”
Description: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18 Praise the Lord!
Video #3 – ExGay Lessons Learned: Matthew Karchner
Description: Lessons learned, reflecting back on a gay lifestyle with spiritual blinders lifted and the Word of God as guide.
Video #3b – The Karchners sing “Victory in Jesus”
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
Video #4 – ExGay Testimony: Prodigal Matthew’s Parents Share Perspective
Description: Our exgay prodigal came home! How Christ led his parents from his “coming out” as gay to deliverance. Praise the Lord!
To God be the glory!
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15
Praise the Lord.
Myanmar borders Thailand to the west. Isolated from the world until recently, its rich culture remains undiluted. I was honored to speak at Innlay (Lake) Baptist Church on a raised platform above monsoon season flood waters- first encouraged, then shared testimony, a call to compassion for those who struggle with same sex attraction and gender identity, shared the gospel with a call to receive Christ (to repent and become a born again believer in Jesus). Many prayed to give their lives to Christ. Praise the Lord. 🙏
A dog rested at the foot of the platform. Pastor said the dog is an honorary church member and howls along when certain hymns are sung. That is what I call rich culture!
Armed with the Bible in Burmese and Google Translate, my wife and I street witnessed. Occasionally we encountered someone who could speak English. Although there was resistance to the gospel (much more than other countries in the region), some received with gladness. We connected with a number of people via social media for follow-up. Praise the Lord.
Side note: In photos to follow on Castaway Ministries’ Facebook page, note that I am wearing a “lungyi” and “thanaka” (see below links). Interestingly, in past gay life, I don’t recall wearing a skirt or helping carry a purse… not until I married a woman. Haha!
Finally, God used this mission to grow me and my wife closer as a missionary couple. Thank the Lord for Rebekah.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longyi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanaka
Click here to watch the Video: Myanmar Mission Overview.