Andrew Comiskey

Andrew Comiskey (also "Andy Comiskey") is an American Christian theologian, and the founder of Desert Stream Ministries, perhaps the leading ministry of Exodus International. [http://books.google.com/books?id=ponUsrkFfEMC&pg=PA39&vq=Comiskey&dq=%22Andrew+Comiskey%22&output=html&source=gbs_search_s&cad=1&sig=ACfU3U0MqZNJuvoMJBNlR1XIF4VejZZS2w Besen, p.39] ] He has written several books based on his experience with avoiding homosexual relationships and gives seminars to those who want to do likewise. [cite news
url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/18/BAGASO6VIQ1.DTL
title=Demonstrators protest 'ex-gay' seminar
last=Hendricks
first=Tyche
publisher=San Francisco Chronicle
date=2007-02-18] He is considered one of the most influential ex-gay leaders,http://www.cbn.com/700club/guests/bios/andrew_comiskey_082504.aspx GUEST BIO - Ex-Gay Encourages the Church to Welcome the Sexually Broken] ", Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN)]

Biography

Andrew started a support group for ex-gays at the Vineyard Santa Monica and with the further encouragement of the pastor, Comiskey started his own ex-gay organization called Desert Stream Ministries. In 1981, he became a pastor in the Vineyard Christian Fellowship. Later, he and Desert Stream would move and become part of Vineyard Anaheim. [cite web
url=http://web.archive.org/web/20041209013708/www.exodus-international.org/news_2004_0227.shtml |title=Media of spotlights for February 27, 2004
publisher=Exodus International] In the following years, he continued his work as a pastor and leader of Desert Stream Ministries. He cites Leanne Payne as a major influence. He gives seminars on avoiding homosexual reltionships and has written four books on it, including "Pursuing Sexual Wholeness", which became one of the most popular books on the topic.cite book |author=Schmidt, Thomas |title=Straight & Narrow?: Compassion & Clarity in the Homosexuality Debate | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Zeotd-ylKtwC&pg=PA157&dq=%22Andrew+Comiskey%22&output=html&sig=ACfU3U3ZYzJiTEkwMqkyqw6I26sbAwNQBA |publisher=InterVarsity Press |location=Downers Grove, Ill |year=1995 |pages=157 |isbn=0-8308-1858-8 |oclc= |doi= |accessdate=] He and his wife now have four children. [" [http://www.kcet.org/lifeandtimes/archives/200405/20040513.php Life & Times Transcript 05/13/04] ", kcet.org, 13 May 2004]

In 2005, Comiskey left Southern California, and moved to Kansas City to work more closely with Mike Bickle and IHOP-KC. [ [http://www.desertstream.org/move%20to%20kc.htm An open letter from Andrew Comiskey ] ]

Publications

* "Freeing the homosexual", Desert Stream Ministries, 1988, ISBN 0884192253
* "Pursuing Sexual Wholeness: How Jesus Heals the Homosexual", Charisma House 1989, ISBN 0884192598
* "Crosscurrent", Desert Stream Press, 1999, ISBN 1930159048
* "The kingdom of God & the homosexual", Desert Stream Ministries, 2000, ISBN 1930159021
* "Strength in Weakness: Overcoming Sexual and relationally Brokenness", InterVarsity press 2003, ISBN 0830823689

References

*cite book |author=Wayne R. Besen |title=Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth |publisher=Harrington Park Press |location=New York |year=2003 |pages= |isbn=1-56023-446-6 |oclc= |doi= |accessdate=

Notes

External links

* [http://www.desertstream.org/# Desert Stream Ministries]
* [http://www.andycomiskey.wordpress.com/# Andy Comiskey's Blog]