Forward in Christ, the official magazine of WELS, is tackling the sensitive topic of homosexuality with a profile of a WELS member who bravely opens up about his personal struggle with the sin.

In the article in the May issue, Scott Barefoot shares how God's Word and God's promise of forgiveness helps him fight his ongoing physical and emotional temptations. Barefoot, a member at Grace, Falls Church, Va., left the gay lifestyle seven years ago after discovering he had HIV/AIDS.

"God speaks very clearly in the Bible that [homosexuality] is wrong—sinful," says Barefoot. "I just wanted to be a voice of someone that has struggled with this—gave into it for years—but, by the grace of God, was able to leave the lifestyle."

Barefoot has lectured on this topic and is co-authoring a book on the subject of homosexuality. "I want to help others," he says, "both helping those that are 'struggling' know that this lifestyle is not a foregone conclusion and helping those that have never struggled with homosexuality see that it is no more or less serious than other sinful desires or temptations. Sin is sin is sin."

This article is the first in a three-part series on leaving the gay lifestyle. Future articles will feature a woman struggling with homosexuality and a pastor helping those who want to leave the gay lifestyle.

"We addressed the issue of homosexuality in order to let the light of God's truth shine in the discussions about this topic," says Rev. John Braun, Forward in Christ executive editor. "Forward in Christ is our Lutheran confessional voice for the members in our congregations. It is also our witness to the world. Our voice will be different from the voices of this world, yet we pray that it is clear, faithful to God's truth, and helpful."