The Holy Sexuality Conference was a one-day focus about the Bible's perspective on sexual identity. In a world filled with confusion about sexuality and gender, Dr. Yuan provides powerful insights. Drawing from his personal journey from agnosticism to a Bible professor, and his in-depth education in biblical languages, theology, and health sciences, Dr. Yuan presents a compelling perspective.
Dr. Yuan emphasizes that sex, desire, relationships, and identity are all profoundly influenced by God’s design, challenging us not to embrace our sexuality but to embrace Christ—shattering the traditional paradigms of gay and straight—and guiding us toward a biblical standard of holy sexuality.
To complete the weekend, the conference was paired with Edgewood Baptist Church's weekend worship services in which Dr. Christopher Yuan and his parents, Dr. Leon (via video) and Angela, shared their family testimony of redemption and grace. Christopher will finish by preaching on holy sexuality in each of our weekend worship services.
Due to technical difficulties we are not able to provide footage of this breakout from the conference. However, the content that Dr. Yuan presented is contained in this video from Summit Basecamp Ministries
CHECK-IN 8:00 - 9:00 AM
Registration is required to attend this event to ensure we have enough space, conference materials, and prepared lunches.
For those registered, please proceed to the “Check-In” table in the South Lobby to recieve your conference lanyard which is used to gain entry into the worship center and the provided lunch.
SESSION 1 | 9:00 - 9:50 AM
Testimony & Sexual Identity: False Identity (Christopher Yuan)
One of the most important things missed when engaging with our LGB friends is how sexuality has become the core of our being. “Being gay” means “This is who I am.” But if this is incorrect, how does the Bible communicate who we are? Dr. Yuan articulates the correct understanding of personhood through the lens of Scripture—particularly, the image of God and the doctrine of sin—and explains the consequences of an incorrect understanding of who we are.
BREAK (10 Minutes)
BREAKOUTS | 10:00 - 10:50 AM
Breakout Option 1 (Worship Center) (Christopher Yuan) | Texts & Hermeneutics
There are six passages in Scripture which touch on the issue of homosexuality and condemn same-sex relationships. And yet some claim they do not. So what does the Bible really say? With a deep understanding of Hebrew, Greek, contextual issues, and biblical exegesis, Dr. Christopher Yuan presents and analyzes the gay-affirming interpretations of these Old Testament and New Testament passages with clarity and compassion.
Breakout Option 2 (Life Center) (Angela & Leon Yuan via Video) | Ordinary Parents, Extraordinary Father: When Prodigals Break Our Hearts
Parents often have nowhere to turn when prodigals break their hearts. How can they help their child? And what will help parents to persevere? Having survived the difficult years with their own prodigal son, Leon and Angela Yuan have learned from their own personal experience and will share practical steps on what helped them through the prodigal years—which can benefit any parent of any child of any age.
BREAK (10 Minutes)
SESSION 2 | 11:00 - 11:50 AM
The Holy Sexuality Project: He Made Them Male and Female: Sex, Gender, and the Imago Dei (Christopher Yuan)
As we grapple to wrap our minds around sexual identity, transgenderism has taken many by surprise. Is gender a social construct?Do our bodies matter? Dr. Christopher Yuan explains pertinent terminology and categories as the first step to better understand gender identity.
BREAK (10 Minutes)
LUNCH | 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Those with special dietary needs (indicated on submitted preregistration form) can show their name badge at the Edge Cafe to get their accomodated lunch.
SESSION 3 | 1:00 - 2:30 PM
Holy Sexuality & the Gospel with Q&A (Christopher Yuan)
We all know someone who identifies as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. How can Christians better share Jesus with our loved ones and friends in the LGB community? What have we gotten wrong? How can we improve? Without any compromise of truth or grace, Dr. Christopher Yuan combines his life experiences and his theological and biblical language background to teach a fully gospel-centric approach. This will help us to think right (orthodoxy) before doing right (orthopraxy).
WEEKEND WORSHIP SERVICES
Identical Services Saturday 5:00 PM | Sunday 9:00 & 10:45 AM
Dr. Christopher and his parents, Dr. Leon (via video) and Angela, share their family testimony of redemption and grace. Christopher will finish by preaching on holy sexuality. The Yuan's amazing story, told from the perspectives of father, mother and son, offers encouragement and hope for anyone who was or has a prodigal.
Dr. Christopher Yuan has taught the Bible at Moody Bible Institute for twelve years and his speaking ministry on faith and sexuality has reached five continents. He speaks at conferences, on college campuses, and in churches. He has co-authored with his mother their memoir, Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God, A Broken Mother’s Search for Hope (100,000 copies sold and now in seven languages). He is also the author of Giving a Voice to the Voiceless. Christopher graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 2005 and received a master’s in biblical exegesis in 2007 and a doctorate of ministry in 2014. Dr. Yuan’s newest book, Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God’s Grand Story, was named 2020 Book of the Year for Social Issues by Outreach Magazine. He’s also the creator of The Holy Sexuality Project, a valuable 12-lesson video series for parents, grandparents, and teens, designed for home discipleship (holysexuality.com).
Angela Yuan has experienced much heartache in her life; absentee parents, a broken marriage, and a prodigal son who was hopeless and unreachable. But on the brink of despair, Angela found a God who knew her deepest need and she began a journey with Jesus which carried her through the valleys and mountain tops of life.
Born in Szechuan Province, China, she immigrated to the United States in 1964, later marrying Leon Yuan and raising two sons. Angela has spent countless hours volunteering as the founder and president of I-CARE (Illinois Chinese-American Residence for the Elderly). In addition, she has been highly involved with Bible Study Fellowship International, serving in leadership for more than thirteen years, and was a part of the pioneering team invited by the Chinese communist government to start BSF in Beijing. Angela is considered by many to be a prayer warrior, interceding for her children and countless others. Angela's experience comes from years of trials and knowledge gained from her failures and mistakes. Through all of this, God has given her the grace to rely upon His power to change the unchangeable and focus upon her own daily renewal and transformation. It is this familiarity with the storms of life and her sensitivity and compassion for mothers that attracts many to the comfort and counsel of Angela Yuan.
Phone: (309) 786-7913
Email: info@edgewoodbaptist.net
Phone: (309) 786-7913
Email: info@edgewoodbaptist.net
