An Open Letter in Response to the Cancellation of the “Come Let Us Reason” at the Mercer County Fairgrounds
By Pastor Daren Mehl
In recent days, a local event in Celina, Ohio hosted by Pastors Action Coalition and designed to minister the love and transforming power of Jesus Christ to those identifying as LGBTQ had their rental agreement with the fairgrounds canceled after coordinated pressure from activist groups and segments of the LGBTQ community. The cancellation of the rental agreement was a decision made in haste, not through dialogue, but through intimidation.
As the Associate Director of Agape First Ministries and a man whose life has been transformed by Jesus Christ, I write not in anger or bitterness but with compassion, sorrow, and hopeful truth. I speak not merely as a pastor, but as one who personally walked through the deception of a gay Christian identity, lived in it, was broken by it, and ultimately redeemed from it by God’s mercy.
Let me first say this clearly: We at Agape First Ministries and all the churches associated with the “Come Let Us Reason” event, do not, and did not, coerce anyone. We do not “force change” on people. We are not practicing “conversion therapy.” These phrases are weaponized terms intended to misrepresent what we actually do. What we offer is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the opportunity for anyone, man or woman, who feels conflicted between their faith and their sexual desires to come and receive prayer, support, and discipleship from others who have walked the same road.
To those who accuse us of “harming the LGBTQ+ community”: I once identified as a gay Christian. I believed I was born that way. I tried to reconcile my faith with my same-sex desires. But it was the truth of God’s Word and conviction of the Holy Spirit, not psychological pressure or religious coercion, that led me to repentance. It was the mercy of Jesus, not manipulation that broke the chains of my sin. And it was His grace, not a man-made program, that reordered my identity from the inside out.
It grieves me that so many who cry out for “inclusion” and “tolerance” will so quickly silence those who peacefully, lovingly offer a different perspective. Isn’t true diversity the freedom to hear all voices, even those we disagree with? If your truth is so self-evident, why work so hard to silence mine? My presentations are available for anyone to review online here https://madefreeministries.com/come-let-us-reason-celina-ohio and so please let’s discuss.
I believe in every American’s right to free speech. But it seems today that those of us who preach biblical repentance and transformation by Jesus Christ are no longer allowed the same freedom.
I do not hate you. I do not fear you. I do not wish to erase your existence.
I want you to know Jesus.
I want you to know that there is hope beyond shame, confusion, and brokenness. I want you to know that true freedom is not found in embracing our fallen desires or a fallen identity, but in surrendering them to a Savior who can make us new and who reveals who He created us to be. I want you to know your authentic identity is not found in your sexual feelings or in trying to live as a different sex, but in the God who created you in His image for His glory.
To my brothers and sisters in the church: now is not the time to shrink back in fear. The Gospel we preach is not one of affirmation, but transformation. We cannot edit Romans 6, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, or Ephesians 5 to fit cultural trends. We must proclaim with clarity and compassion: “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”
To my critics: I extend my hand, not in defense, but in invitation. Come to the table. Hear my story. Examine the fruit of my life. Speak with the men and women who are living testimonies that Jesus is not just a forgiver of sin-but the transformer of hearts.
And to Mercer County: The church still loves you. The church will still pray for you. The church will continue to speak the truth of the Gospel that changed our lives and can change yours too.
In Christ’s love and truth,
Pastor Daren Mehl
Associate Director, Agape First Ministries
Daren Mehl is President of Voice of the Voiceless, a 501c3 ministry amplifying the ex-LGBT Christian testimony in the public square. Daren once lived as a “gay Christian” but has been set free by Jesus. He has been married to his wife Rhoda for 19 years and has two children. Daren and Rhoda have been called to Christian ministry full time. Daren is a Pastor at Warroad Community Church, Co-Founder of Made Free Ministries, Associate Director of Agape First Ministries, on the Board of Association of Christians in Health and Human Services, Operations Manager for The Alliance for Therapeutic Choice and Scientific Integrity, and a frequent guest on podcasts or keynote speaker at churches and conferences. Daren has written a 12 Session Study Guide called “From Conformed to Transformed” exploring his testimony and 4 distinct doctrines related to LGBT to be published in 2025. Daren can be reached at https://linktr.ee/darenmehl.
Local Announcement:
LGBTQ propaganda piece:
https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/after-community-pushback-rural-ohio-fairgrounds-cancels-conversion-therapy-event/
https://thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/04/16/rural-ohio-fairgrounds-cancels-conversion-therapy-event