Episode Summary
In this episode, Mike shares his journey from being introduced to Christianity at age four, to grappling with his sexuality in a church that condemned homosexuality. Despite knowing he was gay from a young age; it took a transformative experience at 18 and another 14 years to fully embrace his identity. He discusses the impact on his relationships, the painful reality of conversion therapy, and his time teaching at Bethel Church. Mike reflects on the dehumanising system he once upheld and how he eventually broke free, with an unexpected assist from Taylor Swift. He candidly talks about coming out publicly, dealing with hateful comments, and balancing his Christian faith with the harm it poses to the Queer community. Finally, Mike offers advice to those beginning their own faith deconstruction journey.
My Thoughts
Okay, so Mike is genuinely one of my favourite people. He gives hope for Queer people of faith and is a stark reminder that those parts of an identity do not need to be in opposition. He is the kind of person, that I wish I had when I was still in church, and the kind of person I wish every Queer kid in religious spaces had in their life. Whilst this episode is a little longer, I just couldn’t not soak up all the goodness that Mike was serving – so enjoy!
More About Mike
Mike Maeshiro is the founder of Numa, an organization that supports people recovering from religious toxicity. Mike is gay, an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and a queer theology enthusiast. A former instructor at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, best known for his class, “Discerning of Spirits.” Mike now teaches on emotional health and redemptive deconstruction, he is also a consultant and coach for gay men recovering from evangelicalism. He also has a team of coaches who work with people whose faith is evolving. He is a social media influencer and thought leader. Mike loves Japanese food, movies, and playing volleyball, and has a depth of useless knowledge about the X-men.
Connect With Us
- Mike’s Website – https://www.mikemaeshiro.com/
- Connect with Mike on social media – Facebook, Instagram or over on YouTube.
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- To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
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