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The above video is a viral video that’s been making it’s way to inboxes far and wide, resulting in hearty giggles and then thoughtful reflections on the tension between religion and homosexuality. The man in the video, 21-year-old Andrew Caldwell (who admittedly said he’s been gay since he was 7-year-old) testified in front of the COGIC 107th Holy Convocation, asking for “more” deliverance. What he goes on to say is what made this video viral in the first place: he doesn’t like “mens” no more. He likes “women, women women.” He will no longer carry a purse, nor wear makeup.

Andrew then took to his Facebook and shared a very vulnerable and touching story about him being molested as a child and actually enjoying it and having struggles around his sexuality:

“My name is Andrew Caldwell. I appeared on a video at the recent Church of God In Christ International Convocation in St Louis. On that video I gave a testimony of deliverance from homosexuality. As a child, I was raped by a member of my own family. At that time I did not think of it as abuse. I kind of enjoyed it. I kept it to myself, not realizing how it had changed me. Growing up wasn’t a pleasant experience. I was harassed, heckled, and ridiculed by classmates. Many told me that I would never amount to anything. This gave me the motivation to try to prove them wrong. Being fairly attractive as a young man, it was not difficult for me to get involved with other men. I have dated athletes, ministers, and celebrities. As time passed I got tired of this way of living. I always attended church. But I always found the same things in church that I found in the world. After joining my present church, it came to me that this lifestyle was not right. It seemed that the more I tried to quit on my own, the more intense was the temptation. All last week I fasted and prayed. On this past Saturday at the Convocation, there was an alter call. I came forward and offered my testimony. It was unscripted. Not only do I hope for my own deliverance but for the deliverance of others who may be struggling with their own issues. To my doubting detractors, I pray for you. To my supporters, I am grateful for your support and prayers.”

Caldwell sat with Church Folk Revolution Radio on Blog Radio and shared very intimate details about his life as a gay man who has been “delivered:”

On his former lifestyle:

“I am truly delivered. I was delivered for a year. The Lord gave me a vision that if you continue to walk in this (homosexuality)…I was gonna die in a heart attack. I said LORD, I’m not ready to die. I have not lied, I have not fornicated I have not slept with a man in a year since I have been delivered. I have no taste for a man. I have a taste for woman.”

On his new-found fame:

“It’s a little bit overwhelming. But God gets all the glory. If it wasn’t for God’s grace and chains hadn’t been broken and I’m no longer bound, what would I be? God is saying, ‘Take the chance I gave you.’ I’ve always wanted to be famous. I always wanted that in life. I always wanted to be the top person.”

His advice to gay people who want to be delivered:

“God can deliver…but you have to want to be delivered. And then, it’s gonna take process.”

On his change from being a gay man to “liking women”:

“I don’t hang out the places I used to go, I don’t do the things I used to do, I don’t say the things I used to say. I don’t buy the things I used to buy.”

His hopes for the future

“I hope this video does get out…it can change a lives.”

On the viral video:

“When I walked up there, I was walking up there change-bound. It was not planned. He says he does not know who taped the video. I needed prayer and I got the prayer. When I ran to the camera and walked down the aisle, I felt a good shadow all over me. My body was feeling like, ‘I”m about to go play football.'”

On people who criticize:

“Everybody has a past, but my future is my present. I don’t look back on my past.”

Plans for the future:

“One day…I believe one day someone is gonna sponsor me so I can have a conference and fill that place up and hear everyone’s story.”

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