CTM Newsletter - October 2025
Testimony fron Spencer Watts
The Holy Spirit was evident all week at Coming Together LIVE-5. From the very first moment I arrived, I could feel God moving in a real and tangible way. It was not only in the atmosphere but in the people, the testimonies, the laughter, and even the tears. Over forty incredible individuals gathered, representing more than six countries, a wide range of ages, and countless unique backgrounds. Each person came with their own story, their own struggles, and their own hopes, yet despite the differences, one truth was evident throughout the entire week. Jesus is the ultimate source of restoration and hope. This was my first Coming Together LIVE event, and yet it felt like I was stepping into a family reunion that had been waiting for me all along. I knew within the first few days that this would not be my last. Even before leaving, my heart was already looking ahead with anticipation toward Coming Together LIVE-6, titled Circle of Trust, scheduled for September 13 to 20, 2026. The anticipation is already alive in me because after what I experienced at LIVE-5, I know the Spirit will once again be evident, and I cannot wait to continue this journey of healing, learning, and growing with so many Christ-centered people.
One of the most powerful and moving aspects of LIVE-5 was the presence of mothers. These women carried visible burdens, many of them heartbroken over their children or family members who identified as LGBTQ. Their stories were filled with years of prayer, intercession, and deep concern. Yet they did not come only to observe or support. They came to learn, to pray, to weep, and to seek God’s healing for themselves and their families. Their vulnerability was striking and their courage was inspiring. The mothers quickly became spiritual mothers to many of us, pouring out encouragement, wisdom, and prayer. Their hugs, their tears, and their words reminded me of the strength of persistent faith. Their presence was evident proof of God’s ability to turn pain into a platform for ministry. Seeing them worship through brokenness reminded us all that God’s love is constant even in the midst of confusion and grief.
My journey to this ministry started in a simple conversation. One day, a visitor at my church in Sault Ste. Marie shared how they had come to Christ. In that conversation, they mentioned Coming Together Ministries. Not long after, my pastor encouraged me to connect with Michael Carducci, assuring me that I would be blessed by his testimony and the work of this ministry. At the time, I did not fully know what to expect, but I said yes. Looking back now, I can say with confidence that it was one of the most important decisions of my life.
When I think about my past, it feels almost surreal. For years, I lived within the LGBTQ lifestyle, performing as a drag queen. On stage I wore elaborate costumes, painted on confidence with makeup, and delivered the applause-worthy character everyone expected. But behind that performance was someone deeply broken. I wanted love, I craved belonging, and I longed for worth. Yet every moment of affirmation I received was counterfeit. I could never quiet the gnawing sense of emptiness. It was not until I met Jesus that I discovered what was real. His love made me feel truly seen, truly known, and truly valued for the first time. That is why Coming Together Ministries resonated so deeply with me. It is not about shaming anyone. It is about restoration. It is about being rooted in Christ and being restored to the image of our Creator. At Coming Together LIVE-5, the Holy Spirit was evident in every testimony, every worship song, every conversation over a meal, and every prayer. God’s restoration was not just spoken about. It was lived out before our very eyes.
What I appreciated most about LIVE-5 was that it was not limited to people leaving the LGBTQ community. It was much broader. This week was for anyone seeking restoration in the area of sexual integrity. Sexual immorality touches lives in so many different ways. The details of the sin may differ, but the marks it leaves behind are often the same: shame, guilt, and the lie that you are too far gone for the grace of God. That is what made CTL5 so powerful. No matter your past, no matter your struggles, no matter your wounds, the Holy Spirit was evident and the truth of God’s love and redemption was made accessible to all.
The speakers were incredible, and each brought wisdom, courage, and vulnerability. Keith Stokes, Martinette du Plessis, Brittany Perez, Judy Mathers, Michael Carducci, Beth Kendrick, Richard J Davidson, Iesha Tillman, Ryan Griffin, Dr Julie Hamilton, Walter Heyer, Victoria Sinis, and Ian and Angela Vandervalk each shared insight, knowledge, and personal stories that were Spirit-led and deeply moving. They spoke about topics that the church rarely addresses but that desperately need to be spoken about. These included pornography addiction, childhood trauma, sexual abuse, LGBTQ identity, Christian parenting, intimacy, sexual integrity, and how to teach children biblical foundations for identity and sexuality. The Holy Spirit was evident in each session, guiding hearts toward healing, truth, and freedom.
The testimonies that were shared made me feel seen, heard, and understood. The days were long, stretching thirteen hours, but they felt like they passed in moments. The bonding was unexplainable, like something heaven sent. It felt as if I had known these people for years. The friendships that were formed were not ordinary. They were kingdom friendships, and that makes all the difference.
The personal moments of the week were unforgettable. Climbing sand dunes, cold plunging in Lake Michigan, sharing meals, laughing until our sides hurt, walking the beach at sunset, and visiting lighthouses created memories that I will treasure forever. The music was Spirit-led and filled every space with peace and joy. One song in particular, the hymn Love Lifted Me, became our theme for the week. Its words were inspiring and they still echo in my heart. Even when I was soaking wet from head to toe during an evening service, nothing could dampen the joy of praising God with these friends. On the last day, we even led the congregation in that hymn together. It was an unexpected blessing that sealed the week with joy.
The Holy Spirit was evident in every prayer, every conversation, and every moment of vulnerability. Each morning began with prayer at seven in the morning, and prayers continued throughout the day. Even driving in the rain, declaring the name of Jesus, felt powerful and full of hope. The event did not shy away from hard topics. Issues such as when a child comes out as LGBTQ, church and school policies, Christian parenting, transgender struggles, teen pregnancy, intimacy, social media and OnlyFans, sex addiction, adultery, forgiveness, and childhood sexual trauma were all addressed. Every subject was handled with integrity, grace, and biblical grounding.
Coming Together Ministries is not just about the event itself. There are ongoing resources, prayer calls, life coaching programs, and courses that continue to guide people in their personal journeys and in evangelism. For me personally, reaching others in the LGBTQ community with the love of Christ is deeply important. LIVE-5 not only gave me personal healing, but it also gave me practical tools to share hope with others.
I want to extend a huge thank you to Village SDA Church, to the leadership of Coming Together Ministries, to Jerry and Kathy who supported me even before the conference began, to Michael Carducci, to the volunteers and kitchen staff, and to every speaker who shared their testimony and knowledge. Without all of you, this week would not have been possible.
Coming Together LIVE-5 reminded me that God’s love is bigger than any past sin, any mistake, or any shame. It is possible to reclaim identity, wholeness, and purpose in Him. The Holy Spirit was evident in every moment, and I am so grateful to have been part of it. I am already counting down the days until Coming Together LIVE-6 Circle of Trust, ready to experience more healing, growth, and kingdom friendships. From puddle jumping at Andrews University to dune climbing and cold plunging in Lake Michigan, God gave us laughter, healing, and friendships written in Christ. Moses had Sinai, and we had sand dunes. Every memory, every connection, and every story is etched in my heart. The love of God lifted me higher than any vice, any weight, and any past shame, and I know that the best is yet to come. Coming Together LIVE-5 was a glimpse of eternity and a testament to the power of Christ-centered community, honest conversations, and Spirit-filled restoration. The Holy Spirit was evident, and I will carry the lessons, the joy, and the friendships with me forever.”
Founders Corner
September 17-21, 2025, we celebrated our fifth annual Coming Together LIVE-5 event, and we are overwhelmed with gratitude for all that God accomplished during our time together! Again, we had 3 events in one with a Leadership training on the 17th and an evening program every evening from 6:30-8:30pm and finally our private healing event on Thursday and Friday. Don’t worry because if you missed the virtual meetings, they are recorded and will soon be posted on our website comingtogetherministries.org for all to see. We will be sure to let you know when they are ready. They will also be posted on audioverse.org and VillageSDA.org.
In the weeks leading up to the gathering, we prayed and fasted, asking the Lord to breathe life into what had been prepared—not for greater numbers, but for greater impact. We longed to see lives truly touched, deeply moved, and wholly surrendered to Jesus Christ, as people discovered a new identity in Him. We asked the Holy Spirit to make Himself evident, and He did—powerfully.
For five years, this event has welcomed individuals carrying deep pain, hidden struggles, and experiences of sexual brokenness—people searching for healing, freedom, and wholeness. And once again, this year, we witnessed powerful testimonies of deliverance, breakthrough, and restoration, shared with courage and hope.
Throughout the week, participants experienced:
Community & Prayer – Each day began in prayer, inviting the Spirit to create an atmosphere of safety, unity, and kindness.
Inspiring Testimonies – Stories of healing, forgiveness, and transformation that stirred hearts and renewed faith.
Workshops & Resources – Practical tools that addressed addictions, emotional wounds, and the pathway to lasting freedom.
Expert Presentations – Insightful teachings from psychologists, doctors, and pastors on topics like, the brain and healing, the Old Testament, and God’s design for intimacy.
Many were deeply moved—some brought to tears—as they encountered God’s love in a fresh, personal way. Chains of un-forgiveness were broken. Anger and pain from past abuse were released. Freedom was found in Christ. Testimonies poured in of people being restored, renewed, and wrapped in God’s healing presence.
And the sense of family didn’t stop at the sessions. Through shared meals, games, and community-building activities, **new friendships were formed** and hearts were knit together.
This wasn’t just another conference. It was a “family gathering”, a sacred space where the Holy Spirit moved mightily—bringing healing, forgiveness, inspiration, and lasting hope.
We are profoundly thankful for every participant, presenter, and prayer warrior who helped make Coming Together LIVE-5 such a life-changing experience. We believe the impact will ripple far beyond what we can see for years to come.
Thank you for being part of the journey.
Together, we are seeing lives set free and God’s design for intimacy restored.
Don’t miss next year for the continued momentum with greater enthusiasm at our Coming Together LIVE-6. Details coming soon.
Look soon for photos, testimonies, and resources from the event, visit: [ComingTogetherMinistries.org]
Written Testimonies
“I’m glad to be able to make it to CTL5 for the first time. Finally to be able to put name to people’s face from the prayer line. A safe space to hear each other’s testimonies, praying for one another, the joy of being together to learn and laugh. Witnessing the ongoing healing took place with such loving community in Christ. Thank you Michael and all the organizer for CTL5. It was such a blessing!”
Jason Li
My Coming Together Live 5 Experience: FREEDOM
“Coming Together Live 5 was more than an event, it was an experience. The Holy Spirit was made evident throughout the conference, but even more so in my heart.
I experienced a new birth, and began to truly live for the first time. I allowed myself to be vulnerable, and it was empowering. Coming to the conference was an answer to prayer, but I didn’t know that God had plans of setting me free from myself.
In each testimony and presentation there was a constant theme of God’s redemptive power and His immense love for every struggling soul. It was beautiful to hear of their freedom, but I didn’t think that was available to me.
Though I had been set free from same-sex attraction years before, I hadn’t fully let go of past mistakes, traumas, and most of all, un-forgiveness. I also didn’t realize that I struggled to understand what a father’s love looks like, and as a result, I couldn’t fully grasp my Heavenly Father’s love for me. It felt as if I was at the end of a maze, nearing the exit, but still trapped.
Everything changed on my birthday during a call to prayer when I felt the Holy Spirit tug on my heart like He never has before. The call was given ‘If any one here is in need of prayer of forgiveness, or maybe you can’t forgive yourself, please come up and one of the prayer team members will pray with you.’ With tears filling my eyes and heaviness in my chest, I went straight to Michael. He prayed for me in a way that no one else ever had, and we wept together. When I looked into his eyes, for the first time in my life, I saw what the love of a father should look like toward his daughter. I asked the Lord how could this man know to pray for things that I have not told him?” And God spoke to my heart, and said “Because he’s my servant. He’s my son.” And I wept again. At that moment, I was born again.
I shared this experience with others at the conference, and they showered me with so much love, that it was overwhelmingly beautiful. This was my first CTL conference and I found a community here of others who understand what I’ve been through.
I love that Coming Together Ministries not only helps people come out of sexual sin, but also brings them to the foot of the cross to find holistic healing and restoration mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Healing is a process. At the Coming Together Live 5 Conference, God brought me through the next phase of my healing. I can finally put the past behind me and move forward in freedom, and in my identity in Christ.
If you are seeking rest for your soul, get plugged into Coming Together Ministries. Attend the next Coming Together Live Conference.
Come for the community, stay for the conversion.”
Errone Kemp
“I hadn’t planned to attend CTL5, but looking back, it truly was a blessing in disguise. For a long time, I rarely spoke about sexuality with others, even though I knew it was an area of my life that needed healing. At the last minute, I felt impressed to go, and I’m so grateful I did. Meeting other Christians who were willing to be vulnerable, share their stories, and pray with one another was a privilege. As someone who takes time to open up, I was surprised at how quickly I felt safe to be myself—because they understood my struggles and showed genuine love. I realized that months ago when God impressed me to share my journey, He already knew I would need encouragement from others who had overcome what I’m facing now. Seeing the zeal for God in both young and old reminded me that no one is ever too far gone, and that God is always longing to draw us closer. Truly, He can restore every place of brokenness in our lives if we let Him.”
Anne Alcin
