As previously announced, next Monday, March 23, 2015 at 7:00 pm, BJUnity — the affirming alternative for lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, questioning, intersex, and straight affirming allies — will host its first public event in the Upstate of South Carolina, when we bring Matthew Vines, author of God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships to Greenville County Public Library’s Hughes Main Library auditorium. Matthew will give a synopsis of his book following which he will be joined by a panel of local LGBT+ and affirming Christians moderated by Jerushah Tchividjian Armfield, granddaughter of Billy Graham.
About the Panelists
Jerushah Armfield, moderator
Jerushah Tchividjian Armfield
Jerushah Armfield is a local writer, wife and mother of two. The granddaughter of Billy Graham, she is passionate about rebranding the “image problem” modern Christianity has been stamped with. “It grieves me the way so much of the world sees the church. I want people to see and experience the love, grace and mercy of the Jesus I see in the scriptures. I want people to be drawn to him because they see something different and they want more,” she says. Jerushah lives in Greenville, SC and helps her husband Chris lead City Lights, a local church planted in 2012.
Kristofer Parker, panelist
Kristofer Parker
Kristofer Parker is an award-winning performer and producer based in Greenville, SC. A former Bob Jones University student involved in the BJUnity community, he is an alumnus of Anderson University. An actor, dancer, and choreographer, Kristofer has performed on stages throughout the Southeast and in New York. He most recently produced and directed Gravity; Music by Jonathan Reid Gealt in Greenville SC, successfully creating a free and professional quality theatre experience for over 150 patrons. Kristofer is a believer in Christ and came out publicly and to his family as gay in 2012. Since then, he has overcome many obstacles on his journey to self-acceptance. He now mentors a dozen LGBT+ Christian teens who are navigating the intersections between faith, sexual orientation and gender identities.
Rachel Sherwin, panelist
Rachel Sherwin
Rachel Sherwin was denied re-enrollment her senior year at Bob Jones University in 2012 when a friend told university administrators that Rachel had confided that university-mandated counseling and her own efforts had not succeeded in changing her sexual orientation and that she knew and understood herself to be lesbian. Active in the military reserves, Rachel lives in Greenville with her wife Kelsi.
James Fox, panelist
James Fox, LPC, LPC/S, DBTC
James Fox, LPC, LPC/S, DBTC, was born to missionary parents who were educated at BJU and who continue to serve with Gospel Fellowship Association. Jim received an undergraduate degree from BJU in 1994 and a Master of Arts in 1996 and went on to serve as an Independent Fundamental Baptist pastor in Upstate New York. After a crisis of faith, he left Fundamentalism and re-enrolled in graduate school, this time to pursue an advanced degree in Clinical Counseling. Subsequently, he has been practicing as a therapist in private practice in Upstate South Carolina, and he also currently serves in the inpatient psychiatric setting. Additionally, Jim is a licensed clinical supervisor and is passionate about training and developing other therapists. He has a tender heart for helping those who have been wounded by toxic religion and believes deeply in the healing power of the grace and mercy of our Lord.
Space is limited for this groundbreaking event, so please register at BJUnity’s Eventbrite page to reserve your seat.