I primarily serve at a Jesus loving ministry called Scarlet Hope. It is currently the only Ministry in Kentucky serving women in the Adult Entertainment Industry. The staff at Scarlet Hope does various jobs ranging from administrative work to mentoring prostitutes.
[pullquote type=”left”]Scarlet Hope has made connections with almost 20 strip clubs in the surrounding area.[/pullquote]Thursdays are the busiest days at Scarlet Hope. Essentially, Scarlet Hope does Strip Club Outreach, Club Zero and Hope for Kids. The staff, interns, or volunteers prepare food for over 150 women to take to the strip clubs and to a Bible Study held for women. Currently, Scarlet Hope has made connections with almost 20 clubs in the surrounding area. That means that the owners and dancers are all ok with Scarlet Hope coming in Thursday evenings. The Bible Study is called Club Zero and is held at a church. This Bible Study consists of women who have left the industry as well as women who have not yet left the industry. The children of the women also come and attend the Bible Study called “Hope for Kids”. [pullquote type=”right”]I could never imagine going into a strip club to share the Gospel.[/pullquote]My first time going on “outreach” was on January 15th. I could never imagine going into a strip club to share the Gospel. Not only did I talk about God’s grace, but I was able to do this over a yummy home cooked meal! Our goal at Scarlet Hope is not to coerce the women out of the clubs. We will allow the Holy Spirit to do the conviction. We are there to be faithful in what God has called His people to do: To love. To share the Hope of Jesus and just to be the light in dark, scandalous places. [pullquote type=”left”]I noticed Dancer D giving a provocative dance to her customer.[/pullquote]I had the opportunity to attend two clubs that night – Club 18 and 19, with my boss and another Scarlet Hope volunteer. (For security reasons, we label the clubs numerically.) When we first walked into club 19, I noticed Dancer D giving a provocative dance to her customer. The many hours of training allowed me to react appropriately and divert my attention to somewhere else. We ended up having an interesting conversation with Dancer D by the end of the night. If I told you that Dancer D surrendered her life to Christ and walked out the door that would be a lie. Dancer D is VERY familiar with Scarlet Hope. She knows about Jesus and what He can do. But the bondage of sin is far too strong. And unfortunately, that night our words fell on deaf ears. But that is ok. [pullquote type=”right”]God desires for all to be saved and we hold on to that promise for Dancer D.[/pullquote]Paul writes “My job was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but God, not we, who made it grow. The ones who do the planting or watering aren’t important because He is the one who makes the seed grow…” 1 Corinthians 3:6-7. So that does not mean we give up. God desires for all to be saved and we hold on to that promise for Dancer D and the hundreds other women in the industry. [pullquote type=”left”]At the Scarlet Hope offices, the walls and shelves are lined with shoes. But these are not your ordinary shoes.[/pullquote]At the Scarlet Hope offices, the walls and shelves are lined with shoes. But these are not your ordinary shoes. These are the shoes of women who have walked away from the sex industry. They have submitted their lives to Jesus and chose to leave their toxic profession. I have actually had the privilege of meeting a couple of the women who shoes are displayed around the house. And wow! I just want to take a minute to praise God right now! His continuously saving grace is powerful. I am so grateful HE allows us to be a continuous witness of it. Thank you King Jesus! [starbox id=Ifeoma]
2015-02-10
