The Holy Sexuality Conference was a powerful and deeply impactful half-day event held on a beautiful Saturday morning on September 22, 2024 at Hope Bible Church, Markham, ON. The church began praying months in advance, and earlier that morning, the elders, pastors, key leaders, along with Dr. Christopher Yuan and his mother, Angela, began the day with humbled yet expectant hearts, earnestly praying for God’s presence to move in their midst.
Thirty minutes before the scheduled start of the conference, over 450 registered participants, ranging from youth to elderly, began streaming through the doors, filled with anticipation. Many church members had invited friends from other churches, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere as familiar faces reunited in Christ. The morning was filled with smiles, hugs, and a shared sense of purpose as everyone prepared to learn what God would teach them about biblical sexuality through Dr. Yuan.
The conference began with Dr. Yuan sharing his powerful personal testimony, which was humbling to witness the faithfulness of the Lord. It was a reminder of God’s redemptive power, setting the tone for a day of deep reflection and learning. It was also a reminder that identity is found not in experiences or feelings, but in Christ alone.
After a brief break, Christopher led everyone into a thorough examination of Scripture, diving into the hermeneutics of both Old and New Testament passages. He clearly affirmed, through scripture, that God condemns same-sex relationships, yet in His mercy, calls all to cling to the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is full of both grace and truth. Dr. Yuan explained that while God’s truth remains unwavering, His grace is always extended to those who turn to Him.
One of the key takeaways was Dr. Yuan’s profound statement that the opposite of homosexuality is not heterosexuality, but holiness. God calls all to be holy, as He is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45, 1 Peter 1:16), and Dr. Yuan encouraged everyone to pursue holiness above all else.
In the final segment of the conference, Dr. Yuan provided practical steps and examples for how we, as Christians, can lovingly and truthfully share Jesus with loved ones who struggle with same-sex attractions. Drawing from both his personal experience and academic studies, Christopher offered wisdom on what to say and do, and what not to say or do, helping everyone better understand how to approach these sensitive conversations with grace and conviction, without compromising the truth of the gospel. He also reminded attendees that it is God’s kindness that leads to repentance (Romans 2:4).
As the conference came to a close, people were filled with humility and gratitude for Dr. Yuan’s courageous testimony and diligent teaching. Many attendees stayed afterward to speak with Dr. Yuan and Angela, thanking them for sharing their story so boldly and clearly, always keeping the focus on Christ’s redeeming love and grace. The demand for Dr. Yuan’s books was so high that they sold out of all the copies on hand and had to place additional orders.
Dr. Yuan and his mother also shared a heartfelt testimony during the Sunday services, offering an inspiring and much-needed message for all in attendance. Through their story of faith, redemption, and God’s transformative power, they spoke to the beauty of surrender and trust in God’s plan. Their testimony brought a deep blessing, touching the hearts of many as a reminder of God’s unwavering love. You can watch this powerful testimony on the Hope Bible Church YouTube channel.
This conference was both timely and necessary, offering Hope Bible Church of Markham a beautiful witness of God’s faithfulness and the call to walk in His light, despite the cultural pressures everywhere. Church members and community friends didn’t just leave encouraged and equipped to share the hope of Christ with others—this conference marked the beginning of an ongoing journey. The elders, senior pastor, and ministry leaders are now praying and exploring ways to continue teaching and equipping the church on this important topic across all their ministries. The equipping didn’t end that weekend; it set the foundation for a deeper, ongoing commitment to living out God’s truth in this area and every area of life.
The church body was deeply grateful to Dr. Yuan and his mother, Angela, for their faithful ministry.
