Sharing Jesus with the Sex Industry

While the world is divisive and clamoring, fists raised and guns drawn, shouting and tearing each other apart, the organization I lead, forDignity postures itself differently. Every month my teams visit strip clubs and adult bookstores to build relationships with young, beautiful women in the sex industry. We are Christian and represent a new brand of Church that is not about religion but humanity and love.

We believe love is more powerful than hate and that we should build bridges into the community, not walls. Love is a tool, not a weapon. The Church has mastered the art of judging, condemning and shaming people but we need to practice loving people without restraint or ulterior motive. A Church mobilized by love would be a powerful and beautiful sight to behold.

In the bible, an expert in the law tested Jesus with this question, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?” The reply was “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all of your strength and all of your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” [1]

Who then is our neighbor?

Our neighbors work in the sex industry and are the dancers on the pole, the young ladies hiding in the windowless, smoke-filled dressing room, and those wondering how they are going to make it through one more day. Our neighbors are the heroin addicts who are taking their last breath today because they were seeking one more high. Our neighbors are the bouncers standing at the door of the club and the managers counting money behind the desk.

We understand that many women in the sex industry suffer silently with PTSD, depression, suicidal thoughts, addictions and hopelessness and we recognize the love of Christ can remedy that. There are thousands of women working in strip clubs, many of which are Christian believers who had experienced God at some point in their lives. They were once active in youth group and grew up in the church. Some have confided that their fathers are pastors. For various reasons, these young ladies now find themselves nearly naked dancing on a stage and participating in painful scenarios they never dreamed they would face.

Unfortunately, from the outside looking in, it is too easy to judge and place labels on these girls, and many do. They feel the weight of our judgment. They carry the shame and condemnation of our words and rejection. We push them further away from the very God who fearlessly loves them and is yearning for their return.

 

The Psalmist declares, “…where can I flee from Your presence?

…If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.”[2] God is not calling us to shrink back from hell but to boldly go to the darkest places and shine His light. He is calling His dancing daughters into their true identity and inviting them, just like David called Mephibosheth back to the table of the King to take their rightful position.

Since 2012 we have gone into strip clubs armed with love, hugs, hope, and resources. We have given away thousands of “Jesus Loves Strippers bibles” and “SHINE-Uplifting Words for Girls in Stilettos.” We pray for these precious young ladies and we have seen incredible miracles take place by the transforming power of God. Realistically 90% of them would never step foot in the doorway of our church, but the church must be willing to get uncomfortable and go where they are to share the unconditional, unwavering, radical love of Christ!

Written by: Kelly Master

[1] Luke 10:27 ESV

[2] Psalm 139:7-8 NKJV


The Agnostic, Christian and Porn Star…..

What does an Agnostic, Christian and Porn Star have in common? All three were at the Exxxotica Porn Convention in New Jersey. We each attended for our own reasons, but our choices brought us together at one of the largest sex conventions in America. Yes, I am a Christian, and I carve out time every year to spend an entire weekend with porn stars, porn producers, porn addicts, sex vendors and thousands of customers from every walk of life. Guess what? I walk away still a Christian, firmly grounded in my faith, but always close to the reality that God loves. I met and interacted with hundreds of people, but two “chance” encounters with an agnostic and porn star left a deep impression upon my heart.

I bumped into Ron Jeremy, known as the “porn king” at the check-in desk as I was holding a conversation with three guys I have known and spoken to for the past four conventions. They refuse to believe that a group of Christians could show up to love without an ulterior motive. They were gently harassing me and challenging my “true” intentions. Knowing that Ron is familiar with www.XXXCHURCH.com and is good friends with the Founder, Craig Gross, I jokingly asked him to put these guys in their place, and he did. A famous Jewish porn star that has participated in 2000 sex films told these hecklers that our Christian group is authentic and that we practice what we preach. While Ron and I continued the conversation, a friend of his made a lewd comment and Ron immediately stopped him and scolded him for speaking like that in front of a pastor. I am not an ordained pastor but enjoyed the fact that Ron noticed the light in me and he was compelled to defend me.

Ron is relentlessly pursued by a God who knows him by name and fiercely loves him. We Christians so often want to see a result that we miss the beauty of the process. Ron spontaneously shared with a group of Christians, who were at the convention for training, about his near-death experience last year and how he called out to God. Then he played his favorite song on the harmonica, Amazing Grace. (see video clip) Ron Jeremy

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found; was blind but now I see.”

One of my most memorable moments at the convention was a conversation I had with a beautiful young lady named Heather. She stopped by our booth for a t-shirt and opened up about being an agnostic, which led to a meaningful, respectful conversation. There was something special about her, a sweet innocence which easily could be overlooked. She was kind, tender and thoughtful and she kept thanking me for being kind. With her permission, I took her picture in front of our “Jesus loves porn stars” background and in return, she asked for several “Little Books of Hope” we offered at our booth. Heather was intrigued by the message of the book and wanted to share with her friends. She flipped through the pages that contained scripture, prayers, and encouragement and was genuinely delighted to read and share with her friends. After she walked away I noticed she tagged me on Twitter with her picture, and only then did I realize Heather is a well-loved porn star who had a booth at the convention. Because we postured ourselves in love and kindness, my new friend, the porn star walked away excited to read the word of God. She was unknowingly drawn to God because we offered her a God who was drawing Himself to her.

 

God has a crazy, incredible journey for each of us and as I continue to step out, trusting Him to guide my steps, I am always amazed how awesome He is. He is more significant than a church building, a potluck dinner or a home group meeting. His love is not only reserved for a select few, but He died so that all may know Him. The agnostic may not believe Him, and the porn star may not be interested in Him, but God is relentlessly pursuing both with a radical love that defies understanding. His love is so compelling that a porn star held onto it in his darkest hour; His love so authentic that an agnostic took not just one, but several “Little Books of Hope” to read and share with others. His love is so inclusive that a Christian showed up at a porn show to share it. I may not see Heather or Ron again, but I know God continues to see them, pursue them and cross their paths with crazy Christians who aren’t afraid to love big!

 

 

“And the greatest of these is love.”

Written by Kelly Master, Director forDignity
www.fordignity1.org

 

 


Drag Queen Evangelist

Recently a group of Christians armed with hate gathered at a gay pride parade in Seattle with intent to protest the gay community. Their motives were quickly exposed, and a drag queen named Mama T confronted their hypocrisy. I do not agree with everything Mama T stands for, but I found myself cheering her on as she called them to walk in love. No doubt, her passion stemmed from years of watching the “church” bash the gay population, and she was not going to tolerate it that day. Momma brazenly declared, “My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ loves you and loves me just as much!” Such powerful words were spoken by the one who was condemned. She further cited the Christians for their hate and called them to read their bible. Bam! Mama T just may have a second calling as an evangelist!

What if the church had shown up to serve the gay community without any other agenda? What if the Christians were fueled by love and not self-righteous holiness? Christ declared, “by this everyone will know you are my disciples if you love one another.” Not once did Christ protest people, but He loved them. He did not hold up signs implicating the crowds, nor did He yell at them over a bullhorn. Mama T saw through the hypocrisy and implored the crowd to love. Whether you agree or disagree with homosexuality is not the point. If you are a Christian, then your call to action is love.

Due to the nature of my work, I am engaged with the adult sex industry quite often. I partner with a Christian organization, xxxchurch.com, and attend sex conventions in NJ. Instead of bullying the industry, we serve them; and instead of bullhorns and picket signs, we give industry workers Starbucks and granola bars. We introduce them to a God who radically loves them. This method of sharing God’s love disgusts many Christians, for it’s not the typical way the church usually shows up. It’s not ordinary or comfortable for many; but when loves not hate fuels your actions, you won’t mind stepping out of your comfort zone.

Strippers, porn stars, prostitutes, and cross-dressers are now my friends. I invest in them with prayer, time, money, and energy. I love them, and I know God does too! I am a Christian, and my convictions are not blurred. When I saw that video of the church bullying the gay community, it hurt my heart. That certainly was not an accurate depiction of the God I serve. He passionately loves people, and His love is not contained for the church only.  When I saw Mama T preaching love, I stood up and shouted out Amen. If we are going to be guilty of anything, let it be love, not condemnation!

 

 “Let us be guilty of love, not condemnation.”