God WANTS Me To Be Gay -- A Former Pastor's Coming Out Story

Mike Maeshiro spent 5 years as an instructor at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry — teaching, preaching, and living what he thought was his calling. But there was one problem: he was gay. From age 10, Mike knew he was different. He tried conversion therapy. He dated a woman to "fix" himself. He climbed the evangelical ladder at one of the most influential charismatic churches in the world — all while suppressing who he really was. Then in 2020, everything changed. A Taylor Swift documentary, a passage from Acts, and a spiritual awakening in the woods led Mike to a truth he'd been running from for 22 years: God wanted him to be gay. In this episode, Mike shares his journey from being kicked out of ministry school for confiding in a friend about his attraction to men, to becoming a paid staff member and instructor at the same institution, to finally coming out publicly in 2022 and walking away from everything he'd built. What we cover: -Growing up evangelical and realizing he was gay at age 10 -Being kicked out of Bethel ministry school after being outed by a friend -Getting hired back and climbing the ministry ladder while suppressing his identity -The spiritual experiences (including Taylor Swift's Miss Americana) that led to his coming out -How he reconciled his faith with his sexuality through rigorous biblical study -The cost of staying closeted vs. the freedom of coming out -His work now helping LGBTQ people heal from religious trauma through Numa Mike is the founder of Numa, an organization supporting people healing from religious toxicity, especially within the LGBTQ community. Through coaching, speaking, and social media, he helps people live authentically and reclaim spirituality in affirming ways. Connect with Mike: Instagram/TikTok: @mikemaeshiro Organization: Numa 📖 FREE LGBTQ+ Healing & Resource Guide: Visit: www.youcanbeboth.com Includes my full testimony + every book, podcast, and resource that helped me reconcile my faith and identity. 🎵 My Music: Search "Lauren Lanzaretta" on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube 📱 Follow: @lanzaretta @youcanbebothpodcast If you've ever felt caught between your faith and your identity, this conversation will remind you: you don't have to choose. #LGBTQChristian #BethelChurch #Deconstruction #ComingOut #ExEvangelical #ProgressiveChristianity #QueerTheology #ReligiousTrauma #FaithJourney #YouCanBeBoth