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


Cast the first Stone?

The basis of Christianity is love – not just loving those who love us, but expressing the sacrificial love of God to all, whether it’s comfortable or not.

One of my favorite stories in the bible is when a group of religious folk brings a woman who had caught in adultery to Jesus. Their motive was 100% to trap Jesus and condemn the woman. Interestingly enough the bible says she was caught “in the act,” which leaves me to believe they were watching. They justified their own sin by calling out hers and their self-righteous attitude severed their ability to see their glaring weakness. They brought her in and made her stand before the group, probably naked, in an attempt to humiliate and shame her. They were looking for validation of their hateful hearts and looking with eyes of the law instead of compassion.

“But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, if any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her. Again, he stooped down and wrote on the ground.”

Love spoke, and love continues to speak 2000+ years later. Jesus laid out the two most significant commandments as loving God with all our heart, soul and mind and to love our neighbor as yourself.  The Son of God knelt in the dirt with the woman caught in sin, while others were repulsed and judged from a distance. Jesus touched her with love while others condemned her to death. With love, all things are possible. With love, destinies change. With love, people see God.

Reflection: Am I only loving those who love me?

Am I open to embrace love, or are my fingers wrapped too tightly around the stones?

Empty your pockets and throw away the stones!

 


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.”