Women of faith hanging out in the bar...

She needs someone...

A while back I was asked by a group of pastor’s wives to go with them to visit a strip club. 

You read that right and it may sound a bit strange, but keep reading.  Of course anyone would feel hesitant at that request, but what was the reasoning behind going there? 

I love people. Especially ones who are broken; it’s part of my calling. But, given what I’ve walked through, I know how fragile broken people can be. Like tissue paper, fallen and broken people are frail. 

But these weren’t just any pastors wives you see, they had a vision, a purpose for what they intended to do.   They had a heart for the fragile women of the world that most just give up on and don’t even think about.  They are those that the world feels do not matter. 
But they were on a mission for sure. 

Reminds you of Jesus, does it not? 

Their plan was to visit these clubs once a month to deliver a meal and gift baskets and they had NO IDEA what to expect. What would we be walking into? 

We arrived and the bouncer ushered us back into the dressing room where we introduced ourselves and began distributing the gifts and food.

A shocking world… 
I was raised to believe that no good comes from places like that. Which is probably true on many levels. (I wouldn’t suggest making it your go-to for date nights)
I was filled (as were many Christians) with fear about “places like that”. That “those people” were low life and doing all kinds of sinful, shameful things.
Which, again, is true of strip clubs and many other places, and even some people sitting in churches are guilty of these shameful things.  Sitting in a garage does not make you a car if you get what I mean. 
But, these girls, these lovely girls – were so…..normal.

As I talked with one in particular, she reminded me of any young mom I talked to in the grocery store recently - minus the fact that she didn’t have much clothing on.

(Oh dear God, she’s talking about half-naked strippers on a Christian blog.  LOL! If you’re going to walk with Jesus, you’re going to find yourself in some pretty awkward situations.)

They showed pictures of their children, talked of pregnancy and about trying to get back in shape after having a baby. It was SO NORMAL. But as we talked, and I looked into their eyes, I saw women – young broken women - and they had stories, probably much like mine or yours.

As we left, they thanked us more than once.  As we drove home we all admit tears came.  
Not because we felt sorry for them. Not because we were so much better than they were and not out of pity for  their circumstance.  Tears came because we were broken seeing women in this life that we wanted to help change if God made a way. 

One thing the Lord continues to do in my heart, is humble it. 
Countless times, I think I’m going in to minister to some lowly soul and then I walk out, completely undone because the condition of my own heart was exposed.

Women living in a darkness – It could have been any of us.

They have been visiting them for a year now and received permission to leave a prayer box where the women could leave prayer requests. The first few times they collected the box it had silly things written in it.  But they continued to leave it there.

Over the following weeks and months (as they continued to love on these women), the prayer requests got real. Real situations. Real hurt. Real needs.

Last time my friend and I got together, I asked about the strip clubs and this is what she said:
Her eyes always, always fill with tears when we talk about it because God is SO in love with these precious women.

She said, “The women are starting to reach out more. I’ve been texting with one and getting to connect with her a bit deeper”
We talked a bit more and she turned to me and said something that I am still rattled by.
“You know what one of them said to me last time?”
“What?”
“She said that she was so glad we come to visit them because we’re not like the other churches”
I said, “what did she mean by that?”
She said, “Apparently other churches send them hate mail. ALL THE TIME”
I’m sure my face turned three shades of white.
Complete shock and disbelief gripped me.
We both looked at each other and about fell into a pool of tears right there.

People – church – WHAT ARE WE DOING?!
Did we forget (or do we just sing it in songs) that Jesus was a friend of sinners?
Did we forget that it’s his kindness that leads us to repentance?
Did we forget that it is ONLY the blood of Jesus that makes us holy?
That ALL OF OUR GOOD BIBLE LOVING STUFF is like filthy rags without Him?
Jesus was UNAFRAID of walking in love to the least of the least.
Like the scum of the scum.
He walked right in, sat down and ate with sinners.
Gross, ugly sinners.
And the religious HATED HIM FOR IT.

A few years ago, I met with another pastor’s wife across the country who shared with me a similar ministry, although after months of developing relationships with the dancers, they asked the owners a crazy question.
They asked to hold a Bible study. IN THE STRIP CLUB. Just for the dancers.
Surprisingly, they were given a yes.
(Something about it building morale in the employees, but whatever. It was a yes!)

So, they started leading a Bible study in the club.
But, something was missing.
And those ministering knew it.
The women they were ministering to needed to be led by a man – not because these women were incapable, but because of the damaged, skewed image they had of men. They needed to see a man who was safe – they needed a man who knew Jesus.

This woman’s husband (who was a pastor) stepped up and took on the challenge. And, for months the dancers wouldn’t even look him in the eye.
But he kept showing up….
Soon, one by one, the women met Jesus through this pastor’s humble, gentle leadership.
There were prayer sessions.
Women were set free.

And many went on to lead, healthy restored lives.
All because this group of women and this pastor were unafraid to go where God was leading them.
I’m not suggesting that we all have this calling.

What I AM saying to you is that if Jesus were here,
walking among us, wouldn’t it be just like him to walk into the most un-Christ-like place (strip club or whatever) and completely freak the religious folk out?

Just a thought...
He loved then.
He loves now.
He loves you.

He said to GO & Tell, to reach out to them.
​
But, He can only reach as far as you and I are willing to go.

Start HERE

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