SBM - Reaching One Soul at a Time: The Story of "Ellie" - Part One
Wednesday, March 26th @ 6:50 PM
Five years ago in 2003, the ministry of SBM held its very first evangelistic outreach in Provincetown, Massachusetts, home to one of the largest homosexual subcultures in the northeast. Our simple goal: to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the homosexual community.
A chartered coach was packed with Christians from all across America, many who flew in and volunteered for the event. For me, it was going back to a place that I once called home.
The coach picked up the first team of evangelists at 5:30 a.m. By 9:00 a.m., every team was on the bus and the driver was headed east toward Cape Cod. We were going to evangelize a community that I was very familiar with. I knew I would see many old friends.
We spent several hours in Provincetown before we left back home for Connecticut.
There was silence for the first few minutes as we departed. Only the sound of the bus’ engine could be heard. Then the sobbing began as it spread from one end of the bus to the other.
Many of the evangelists considered the individuals that he or she came into contact with that day. Tears fell and hearts broke as we talked about the many homosexual men and women we shared Christ with.
Soon, testimonies were shared of those who were touched that day by the biblical message of love, hope and salvation through Jesus Christ. Seeds were planted and God promises His Word would not return void.
One of those individuals was a 72 year old man – a street performer and transsexual named “Ellie.”
Since the early 2000’s, Ellie could be found in front of Provincetown’s Town Hall, or walking Commercial Street, pulling his wagon and karaoke machine. Anyone who has been to Provincetown within the last eight years has most likely seen Ellie. He is one individual you would never forget.
As we walked up Commercial Street toward Town Hall, we heard a wonderful, deep man’s voice singing Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” One of the evangelists questioned, "Maybe it's someone from the Gay Men's Chorus?"
The picture though that was conjured up in our heads wasn’t anything like the person we were about to see.
In reality, "Ellie" was Elliot – a 72 year old man with long, dyed hair, make-up covered face, and he was dressed in women's clothing and high heels. Anyone who saw this singing powerhouse stopped immediately in their tracks, no doubt with a question mark over their heads.
While Ellie was singing, we scanned the crowds to see what other people were thinking. It seemed there were heterosexual couples watching, as well as homosexuals listening. We were standing right in the crowd – and we just listened to some of the reactions.
While it seemed the heterosexual couples just stared - not knowing what in the world to say - the homosexuals were responding differently. Many were laughing at Ellie and making fun of the P-town street performer. They were mocking him. They were calling him names. It actually broke our hearts. The gay community refers to P-town as a place where “all are accepted” – yet it seemed that Ellie wasn’t even welcome or accepted by “his own.”
While Ellie was singing one of his numbers, one of the SBM evangelists looped a gift bag over Ellie’s hand. The bag contained a Bible, several gospel tracts, a pen, and an evangelistic CD for the recipient to listen to and hopefully pray and receive Christ.
Ellie gladly accepted the gift, waved and the evangelists were on their way.
Back on the bus going home, many shared their thoughts on Ellie. Most of the SBM evangelists passed him at some point during the day. A few of us on the bus took a photocopy of Ellie’s story that was near his tip bucket. After having some time to read it, I was speechless.
Elliot was a former Baptist minister. So was his father. Ellie knew the gospel and said he accepted Christ as his Savior at the age of five after his father preached a revival service. Ellie shared the gospel with many people throughout his life. Yet the two things that plagued him since his childhood were masturbation and dressing in women’s clothing. Ellie shared that these were the lifelong “demons” that haunted him.
After four divorces and five children later, at the age of 70, Ellie decided to finally “give in” to his “hedonistic ways” as he says. Elliot moved to Provincetown and began a new life as a woman -- "Ellie -- Elliot's Dream Girl -- sexy and 25.”
I couldn’t help but feeling the pain and conflict in what I read. Irene was crying by now and we all just prayed for Ellie – that maybe God would open up the doors for us to spend some time with him personally, take him out to lunch and just “listen” to him share his story. We prayed that other Christians would go to P-town and maybe reach out to him.
Was there hope for Ellie? Had he “crossed the line”? Was Ellie “all there” or had something really gone wrong?
When a person goes from truly rejecting something as sinful and wrong, to ultimately giving in, embracing it and living the exact extreme, something had to happen in his life.
I wanted to know exactly what happened to Ellie -- and I wanted to hear it from Ellie himself.
Five years went by as Irene prayed for Ellie faithfully each day for a few of those years. I prayed for Ellie often and thought about him. Was he still alive? Was he still singing in front of P-town's Town Hall? What about his children – were they Christians? Did they talk to Elliot now that he lives as Ellie? What about his former wives? What about his grandchildren -- does he have any? What about Elliot's self professed relationship with Jesus Christ??
Fast-Forward to March 2008 – SBM’s College Missions Week
The kids from Lincoln Christian College were finally here and the week literally flew by. Lots of training, questions, discussions, lots of testimonies of former homosexual men and women, lots of food and lots of fun.
It was really great spending an entire week with college folk. It reminded Irene and I of the “free as a bird” lives we both once knew. Marriage, children, a mortgage, bills, jobs, ministry – oh the days of old...(Actually, we wouldn’t trade a thing in the world!)
Our children fell in love with the students – Chloe got her hair braided and spent a lot of time with all of the girls, and Blake played football on the beach with the guys and joined them for some meals.
On our final full day together, we all planned to visit Provincetown, Massachusetts. Though it was out of season, I wanted the students to meet some of the townsfolk who lived there year-round, and just be led by the Lord.
Then, as I was praying, a thought came to me. I told Irene and then called the students.
“Hey guys and gals, listen up. Irene and I met and man named Ellie about five years ago. He’s a former minister and pastor who now lives as a woman. He’s got to be upping somewhere near 80, but pray that I can contact him and maybe we can all go out to lunch with him. It’s something Irene and I have wanted to do for many years. I don’t even know if he’s still alive, living in P-town, or if he’d even agree to meet with us. Just pray and I will try to contact him tonight,” I said.
Everyone prayed and I began my research.
Shortly after, I was talking to Ellie via the phone and he said he would “love” to meet us all for lunch. Though I didn't know at the time, Ellie knew who I was - and all about the ministry of SBM.
I called everyone and told them our lunch date was set -- and to make sure they were ready to leave by 7:00 a.m. the next morning.
The van-load of students arrived on time, and we were on our way to the Cape once again.
Our lunch and afternoon with Ellie was without a doubt a very moving experience for the LCC kids and for that I am grateful.
Please check back as I share "Part Two" -- what transpired when we first met Ellie, about our lunch "date" and the rest of our time in Provincetown.
I will say this: differences aside for the moment, I think we can all agree that we have found a new friend - a lovable human being in a man called "Ellie." -- Stephen Bennett
(Part 2 to follow – please check back.)
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Stephen Bennett
Executive Director ~ SBM, Inc.
1 Cor. 6:9-11; 2 Cor. 5:17
The Students from LCC Are HERE!! Let SBM's College Students' "Missions Week" Begin!
Tuesday, March 18th @ 2:18 AM
Dear SBM Partners and Friends:
On Friday, March 14, 2008 at 3:00 p.m., a group of 11 college students piled into a 15 passenger van (trailer in tow) and headed from their campus in Lincoln, Illinois to Connecticut. Their plan was to arrive in CT by 11:00 a.m. Saturday morning, taking turns driving straight through the night.
The students arrived in CT at 11:30 a.m. safe and sound! A big rain storm with heavy winds plagued CT Friday night through the following morning, yet they said they encountered no rain whatsoever! The storm must have gone before them.
This special group of students are all Christian and their entire college participates this week in "Missions Week" or "E3".
The teaching body of the college "closes down" and students take part in some type of missions work -- anywhere around the world. Students are literally around the globe at this moment: helping the poor in India, ministering to those afflicted with HIV/AIDS in Africa, and building homes in post-Katrina Louisiana.
So why are there 11 college students here in Connecticut? Many of you already know: these students believe one of the greatest missions fields going unreached is not just those in India, not Africa, not even on the Gulf Coast.
It's the homosexual.
I can't begin to tell you how moved I was when I was contacted by these students last August, asking if I would be willing to spend a week with them and help them begin to understand the homosexual dilemma - as well as how it affects children, families, churches and our entire nation.
These students have a desire to know WHY people become "gay"; how people can change... and how -- and when -- the tables turned from homosexuality being not accepted -- to being embraced and celebrated.
Most importantly, this next generation wants to know how best to reach their loved ones, family members and friends who are "gay" -- with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The students contacted many churches in our area to see if any congregation would "host" them -- or, put them up somewhere, anywhere, for the week.
One mega-church in our area really tried, but was unable to supply them with housing. Instead, one of the leaders of the church sent a substantial financial gift directly to the students -- and a prayer -- that ALL of their needs would be met and their trip would be very fruitful. He deeply admired their zeal and purpose, as I deeply respected his compassion.
Another area church though stepped up to the requested need, and "just happened" to have an entire house vacant for the week: the owners winter each year in Florida. So, the 11 students were welcomed to their beautiful new home -- and they are all living together for the week here in CT.
I preached at the church (which provided them housing) on Sunday morning. The pastor also graciously offered me the use of his church facilities for the entire week for teaching.
I'll be teaching and training the college missionaries all of this week, with several other SBM Staffers and volunteers. We'll be listening to two testimonies each day - one of a man, another a woman - individuals who have all left the homosexual lifestyle.
Each student will also be responsible for preparing and leading a 10 minute devotional each day -- one to open our training sessions with, another to close them.
On Thursday, Lord willing, I have something special planned for the students.
Our God is a mighty God and Satan doesn't want these students to know the truth, or winning souls for Jesus Christ. PLEASE pray for us all!
I'll write you more throughout the week (Lord willing). I "dropped by" their place Saturday night with six large pizzas for a bunch of hungry travelers. A spur-of-the-moment Ice Cream Party followed.
The students will be sharing here on this blog at the end of the week.
Love to you all and thanks for praying,
Stephen Bennett - SBM (2 Cor. 5:17)
Stephen Bennett
Executive Director ~ SBM, Inc.
1 Cor. 6:9-11; 2 Cor. 5:17
