Living Waters DNA

WHO WE ARE

The secret parts of people’s lives have been kept hidden for far too long. These dark places have wreaked havoc, causing many men and women in the church to despair and give up hope. That’s the reason Living Waters exists—to help bring freedom in those who are addicted, abused and confused (Isaiah 61). Our desire is to see God’s people live the full and healthy lives He intended.

HISTORY

In 1980, Andrew Comiskey began a Biblically-based healing and support group for men and women struggling with same-sex attraction. That one group in West Hollywood, Calif., became several, and soon the Living Waters programme took off. As the ministry expanded, it moved beyond its original focus on same-sex attraction to include other relational and sexual issues for heterosexual strugglers.

MISSION

As a Christ-centred ministry, we follow the Biblical foundation of helping people with compassion, integrity and dependence on Him. In all we do, we share Jesus—the One who is full of grace and truth (John 1:14).

By relying on the Holy Spirit to renew people, we try to provide a basis for a lifetime process of healing in our gender, sexuality and relationships. This process includes Christian discipleship, which needs to take place in the body of Christ. Thus each Living Waters group is part of the local church.

We also believe that healing best occurs when men and women minister together, releasing the presence of God to one another that corresponds with our deepest needs for love.

At the centre of Living Waters is the cross of Jesus Christ discovered in His community—the means through which we have access to the Father’s love. The cross is the place where we lay down our sins and wounds, and receive healing through prayer. At the cross, Living Waters seeks to explore the dark and complex habits of the heart in order to impart the truthful, healing love of Jesus there.

Among other relational problems, Living Waters offers the causes and keys to healing the homosexual struggler—a prophetic witness to the church and to the world, which reveals the authority of Christ to restore His image in humanity.

Living Waters believes in equipping lay persons to do this healing work. Our volunteers are not professionals or miracle workers, but wounded healers who are given practical helps for healing others. Through the ongoing process of healing in their lives, and through their transparent testimony, these helpers discover Christ’s call as they serve with Living Waters.

To provide safety for its members, Living Waters sets up several boundaries that protect the group, and through leadership requirements for its helpers.


BELIEFS

Founded upon Biblical principles, Living Waters adheres to the following beliefs, which make up our statement of faith.

  • We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, the final authority of doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in right living.
  • We believe in one God, existing eternally in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
  • We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, fully man and fully God, only begotten Son of the Father. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and lived a sinless life. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, buried and rose physically from the dead. He ascended to the right hand of the Father and will come again in power and glory.
  • We believe that faith alone in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord frees us from the mastery of sin, and its consequences of death and eternal damnation. He assumed the penalty of death Himself, and enables us to live out of His resurrected life unto eternity.
  • We believe the Holy Spirit carries out this work of renewal in our lives, empowering us to grow in loving union with our Heavenly Father and to walk in obedience to His will.
  • We believe that the church of Jesus Christ is formed of all those who know Him as their Saviour and Lord, regardless of denominational beliefs.