Our Message

I spent most of my childhood hiding my feelings. After years of psychiatric counseling, I came to the conclusion that I was gay and there was nothing I could do about it. So I hid some more and lived my life in the closet terrified that someone would find out about the "real" me. To my family I played the good boy role, but once I got away from them things changed.

By the time I had an encounter with Jesus in 1982, my life was a train wreck of sex, alcohol, wrapped in a cloak of sadness and deep depression. I hated my life. When two friends shared the Gospel with me, I confessed my struggles to them with no expectation that there was an answer for me. I felt like my sexuality had disqualified me from anything this Jesus they shared had to offer.

After a common sense, unfiltered reading of Romans chapter one, I was devastated to find that if I was going to follow Jesus, I was going to have to humble myself and follow Him regardless of the cost or what I was going to lose. I had no idea what God wanted to do with my life or how he intended to do it. Fortunately, God was big enough to handle my problems and put me on a path that eventually changed and restored my life.

Matthew 19:26 Ministries was born out of my journey and the lessons I learned along the way. You are loved, plain and simple. God has more for you, plain and simple. We don't preach a “Jesus loves you, but…” message. Based on what I've experienced over the last 40 years, I can assure you that Jesus loves you and as you humble yourself, and count the cost of following Him, He will put you on a path that leads to Him and the life He has for you. God is big enough to handle it all.

Bob Honeysett/Ministry Director

About Us

Rev. Bob & Rev. Phyllis Honeysett founded Matthew 19:26 Ministries in the Chelsea/Greenwich Village section of New York City in 1998. Their vision was to create a Christ-centered teaching, resource, and discipleship ministry dedicated to those in the LGBTQ community, and those within in the church who were struggling with LGBTQ realities in their own lives.

As the ministry grew, an outreach was established to parents and families who were seeking faith-based resources to communicate the message of hope, healing, redemption and reconciliation to their LGBTQ loved ones. Today, in addition to a parent/family outreach, they also facilitate online prayer meetings/prayer walks, online teaching, and one-on-one prayer/encouragement opportunities.

A former actor, Bob walked away from homosexuality in 1982 and never went back. Sensing a call to ministry early on, he abandoned his career aspirations and headed to Bible school. He received his ministerial training at Berean School of the Bible (Assemblies of God) , the New York School of Urban Ministry (NYSUM), and Elim Bible Institute. He has an extensive background in urban ministry, street evangelism, homeless ministry, curriculum development and adult Bible education.

Phyllis accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at age 13 as a result of her own parents’ salvation. During her college years, she sensed the Lord calling her to serve in Africa. Realizing the need for training in biblical studies and missionary preparation, Phyllis attended Elim Bible Institute from 1980 to 1982. She served as a missionary in Kenya from 1982 to 1984.

Bob and Phyllis have spoken and taught in numerous churches on the subject of walking in freedom and wholeness. They have shared this work and facilitated seminars at churches and Bible schools They have also appeared on Christian television numerous times to share the work of Matthew 19:26 Ministries.

They are both ordained ministers with a Home Missionary designation through Elim Fellowship in Lima, NY. Fort Worth, Texas serves as the home base for their ministry.