How did it begin?

A passion was struck in my heart when my husband mentioned the idea one Sunday morning in his sermon. He was talking about GRACE, and how it is for everyone. Even those we are tempted to think may not deserve it. He gave a list of ideas that are just too far out there, risky, a scandalous way of sharing this GRACE that God so freely gives. What if a group of ladies here in this church loved girls in the local strip club? At that moment I knew God was telling me, yes you Alex.

I prayed for several weeks about how this ministry could get started. What would it look like? I researched other churches with similar ministries and contacted a couple of the ministry leaders to learn more. In May I started talking with other ladies about being a part of this ministry to exotic dancers. I got a lot of negative and discouraging feedback. There is no way you will get in there. How do you think you will? Its just too risky, too dangerous. I just don’t know how it will ever work. I continued to pray and ask God to bring the right people to the team, who were willing to get out of their comfort zones, to love girls and just show them that they count.

As I continued to talk with ladies about my passion for this ministry, God was also stirring in other women’s hearts. We had an interest meeting in August to pray and prepare for what to do next. There were six ladies who were excited about reaching Emerald City with God’s GRACE. I thought I had it all figured out. At the meeting I told the girls I was going to a training in Lexington at a church who has a ministry like this called Bruised Reed. When I get back I will train you guys and anyone else who is interested, towards the end of August. And then in September some time we will go to the club for the first time. Everyone was excited but wondering do you have a plan for how to actually get in there- How do you think that will work? Let’s just all pray for a way in, God will make it obvious to us, and provide a way when the time is right.

Well, God just laughed in my face about all the plans I had worked out! Oh yeah- He says Watch me. But listen closely, because here we go.

Later that night I was sharing stories about what other churches have done. One church collected backpacks full of school supplies and took them to the moms who work in the clubs. The team was so excited about this. We have jump on this school starts next week- this may be our way in! So I left that night planning to call the Manager and see if this is something we could do.

Through prayer and encouragement from a friend I realized the need to go in person to ask. If I get someone on the phone it will be really easy for them to say no thanks. If I am there in person I may actually be able to talk with some of the girls. SO that is exactly what happened- Liz and I went to Emerald City on Wednesday, August 13th, the day after our first meeting!

You can read about our visits on this blog.