There are three strip clubs we visit on my ministry nights. Most of our team knows which ones are my favorites, and the one I’m not a fan of. Something about the one just seems to have always agitated my spirit. Every time I leave there, I feel icky. There’s a strong spirit of perversion and witchcraft. And, I’ve come under attack in a variety of ways in that club on multiple occasions.
Until tonight.
Tonight, we visited two clubs, and when we walked in the second one, there wasn’t even a thought of not wanting to be there. The atmosphere was different.
We talked with the bouncer and made our way to the dressing room, where we encountered three women. Thank God it was another slow night.
We handed out the last of our Mother’s Day gift bags, and struck up a conversation with A. A has a good head on her shoulders, comes from a good family, and has lots of support. So, I asked why she got into stripping.
Turns out a few years ago, she fled an abusive relationship and desperately need fast cash, and then it just stuck. She talked about living in Atlanta, and that was my in.
I shared about Atlanta being my introduction to sex and fetish clubs, leading to prostitution.
I shared how I too fled an abusive relationship last year. How I was into witchcraft and new age my entire life. And, I shared how I was radically freed from all of that after a radical encounter with Jesus Christ.
She was floored.
She thanked me for sharing my story in that way. She said people come in and ask to pray with her and “shove the Gospel down her throat” and she admitted she always thinks, “what have they ever been through? How can THEY relate to me?” Her honesty was refreshing.
She was so happy to talk to a “church lady” whom she could relate to. I thanked God for sending me in there for that divine appointment.
On the way out, the manager was making popcorn in the popcorn maker, and she gave us each a fresh bag. I sat outside my house later laughing on the phone with a friend saying, “I’m sitting here eating popcorn from the strip club!”
When we left the club, I didn’t feel icky. In the club, there was no attack. Victory!
When we prayed our cleansing prayer, I thanked God for every church lady who has walked into that club before me and contributed to shifting the atmosphere. I thanked God for the unique ways we touch those dancers hearts, each minister with a different background and testimony. But, all with the love of Jesus to share!