I once knew this much older guy (involved in ministry) who would go onto the streets where the prostitutes work and hand out roses and tell them they were beautiful and the message of Gods love.
HAHAHA!!! I loved this last post:) It made me smile. See I have posted my full testimony on myspace as well...so far I don't think my kids know. I mean I do have to tell them...I keep praying for the strength and the right time to do so...I KNOW I WON'T DIE...lol:) Thank you so much for sharing this:) and I too look forward to Shelley's pointers. In Gods time all things are possible...and I look forward to doing what he wants me to be doing:)
I am soooo looking forward to reading Shelley's techniques!
Honestly, posting on this forum was the first major step I ever took to do this outreach. I did prolife/post abortion stuff for 13 years, but I never told anyone about my sex industry past, so I was terrified to do this..and I am so grateful for Shelley's boldness that helped enable me to do what I knew God was telling me to do and that I was terrified to do! I thought if anyone found out I would just die....
But, I posted and didn't die,
went to the jail and did the bible study and shared my testimony and didn't die
started going to the clubs and didn't die
when to take lunch to the hooker hotels and didn't die.
Posted on my space and had my daughters find out about my past and didn't die,
had friends and my pastor find out and didn't die
Notice a theme? I DIDN'T DIE!!!!! :)
thank you both so much:) :) I look forward to serving Him...yet scared at the same time. I know it is not me that can change them...only God His love and His mercy:) That is the only thing that changed me....I thank you again for these suggestions:) I have had this on my heart for awhile...but had no idea really how to go about it. I know that these women will not trust...and I think that has me a little frightened:: I mean I was once one of them:( A hardened heart and not trusting anyone.
Please pray boldness for me and courage as I step out of my comfort zone and get ready to do God's will:) I as scared,nervous, excited all at the same time. Again thank you so much for these suggestions:) I know all things are possible with God:) And He will give me the strength and words needed.
I just want them to know they are loved,precious:) NOT pieces of garbage...WOW anyway thank you:) :) luv ya's
take care
peace,hugs,prayers
and blessings
carrie
p.s. I will take a look at that book:) thanks
luv ya
take care
peace,hugs,prayers
and blessings
carrie
Hey Carrie
I wanted to answer your post, but didn't have the time until now.
You can start in county jail, with a bible study. It is a good place to share your testimony because, well they know that you've been there too. And your free now! One of the hardest things to do is leave prostitution, especially for drug addicts. They need to know that they are beautiful in God's eyes and how much He loves them....never be afraid to tell anyone that...:)
Then you just do the bible study with them. God's word WILL change them, just like it did me and you, He wants to do that for them as well....the jails want prostitution intervention programs and will let you come in.
As for help, well we are paired up with a Pregnancy Help Center that does STD testing and offers GED prep, I have friends who help me find jobs.
As for the strip club outreach, mainly we take the gift bags and offer to help them plan the rest of their lifes, since you can't dance forever (not many 70 year old strippers...) We simply offer to be their friends, no strings attached. I am NOT there to drag them out of the business, I am there to introduce them to Jesus...whole different thing. There are real needs, like a place to live, feeding kids and etc... so we have a list of community helps as well. We take lunch to the hooker hotels, just knock on doors and tell the gals that Jesus sent lunch because He loves them, and leave them lunch and a gift bag, and our phone numbers, sort of play it by ear and let the Holy Spirit lead. You can't go wrong by sharing His love! And the gals are like me, cynical and not very trusting, so it takes time to build trust. My friend calls it "Dog in the ditch ministry" If you find a dog that has been hit by a car and is lying in a ditch, you have to be very gentle and careful with him or he will bite you, because of the pain He is in. Same with these precious ladies....
You will do great!
I just realized that you were the one that posted a comment on my website and linked to your testimony. Well gosh.. it's a small world!
Everyone has a different style. My style is more straightforward such as www.wayofthemaster.com That is a REALLY good site to check out as far as how to evangelize.
Steve and I just had a conversation about this the other day. I asked him, "If you were to die tomorrow, would you feel at peace about it?" He replied, "Well, yeah..I know where I am going".
I said, "Well, I don't feel comfortable about leaving! Don't get me wrong, I know my salvation is secure, but if I were lying on my death bed, and I knew I only had 24 hours to live, I would want to bring with me as many people as I could to Heaven. I'm not done here yet." That is the way I see it. Even though in reality I may have longer than 24 hours, I never know when my last day is up and I have to do all that I can TODAY to make sure that I did all that I could for God and because I care about what happens to others. I'm not willing to see the people and even strangers I care about end up in the eternal pit of fire. (I'm explaining where the fire in me comes from).
If anyone ever rejects you, remember that it's God they are rejecting and not you personally. But you have to find a style that is good for you. A good book to read is "More Ready Than You Realize." That has a softer approach than the way of the master but still a good book.
Last but not least, know that God doesn't expect you change hearts. That's His job. Only God can change the hardest of hearts. All he asks is that you be willing to be the seed. I once heard a true story from my pastor of a man who was out on the street corner every week giving away pamphlets about God. He gave and gave and never heard a word from anyone that ever walked by. After all those years, he never saw the fruit of his labor, until one day, he became ill and was on his death bed. Then, out of nowhere...a man approached him and said, "I wanted to see you before my death. I never got a chance to thank you for giving me that pamphlet. It was because of you that I now have Christ in my life." The man died a few hours later, but he died knowing the fruit of his labor.
I have been feeling the tug of God to go out and help prostitutes and strippers, in the Niagra Falls Canada area. Yet I can't seem to open my mouth to those close to me:( I also know that in Gods timing it will happen...but I could use a few pointers.
Like what to say?? I don't think I should go right up to someone and day "Hey do you want to know who really loves you and how much?" I want these girls/women to know that love of God. Also to get the help they need if they decide to leave the industry...can anyone help me with this
I read this thread and other threads and there are some good ideas in an effort to reach out to sex workers and in praying about it we also have another way to reach people and this works for reaching out to anyone. It comes from Proverbs, which is always loaded with good stuff.
"Pr 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
What we say to each other and anyone for that matter, has great power and often we do not realize it and maybe take it for granted, who knows? In taking a look at creation in Genesis, which everyone knows about, God created everything in 6 days. He didn't do that with His hands, but He did it by speaking life into existance. That really is pretty deep! He spoke life into existance!
The other thing that comes to mind comes from Psalms 29:18 "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Of course then we can get into the discussion that Jesus came to fulfill the law, but if we really understand it, that means that Jesus came to uphold the law and of course the object is to be like Jesus, so if we are upholding the law the blessing is "happy" are we and in that happiness we can speak life into people.
Part of being a child of the most high, we also have great power to either speak life into people or speak destruction into peoples lives by what we say to others. Scripture tells us that we are to exhort one another daily, which is another way of saying, "we are to speak life into each other daily." We all can do this if we have to start with love, because we know that we are His by our love one for the other and if we are His, we also have the fruit of the Spirit to speak life into people.
Of course the enemy comes in and attempts to tell us, none of that is true and we can't do anything. So then we end up usually saying nothing, but the fact remains we have the power to speak life into all people and when we do that it is like casting seeds in a person, which the Holy Spirit works on and in time, people will come to you and say things like "your different!"
In thinking on a little larger scale than those just in the sex industry, we the body of Christ can speak life into all people and people are naturally attracted to that. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." That really is amazing what God has given us, so maybe anyone that reads this will seek God for the truth of what is written here and perhaps ask the Holy Spirit to show us how to speak life into everyone?
It really is amazing what Jesus did for us.
God bless each and may His hand be upon all,
Sarah
God does have a plan for everyone and everyone is called to be a part of ministry somewhere. All jobs in ministry are important as it is designed by God to be a servant and save lives. God gave us so much, but how much do we give Him in return?
Comments
I once knew this much older guy (involved in ministry) who would go onto the streets where the prostitutes work and hand out roses and tell them they were beautiful and the message of Gods love.
HAHAHA!!! I loved this last post:) It made me smile. See I have posted my full testimony on myspace as well...so far I don't think my kids know. I mean I do have to tell them...I keep praying for the strength and the right time to do so...I KNOW I WON'T DIE...lol:) Thank you so much for sharing this:) and I too look forward to Shelley's pointers. In Gods time all things are possible...and I look forward to doing what he wants me to be doing:)
Again CaroleMarie...thank you:)
take care
peace,hugs,prayers
and blessings
Carrie
I am soooo looking forward to reading Shelley's techniques!
Honestly, posting on this forum was the first major step I ever took to do this outreach. I did prolife/post abortion stuff for 13 years, but I never told anyone about my sex industry past, so I was terrified to do this..and I am so grateful for Shelley's boldness that helped enable me to do what I knew God was telling me to do and that I was terrified to do! I thought if anyone found out I would just die....
But, I posted and didn't die,
went to the jail and did the bible study and shared my testimony and didn't die
started going to the clubs and didn't die
when to take lunch to the hooker hotels and didn't die.
Posted on my space and had my daughters find out about my past and didn't die,
had friends and my pastor find out and didn't die
Notice a theme? I DIDN'T DIE!!!!! :)
I will add some techniques soon but have my hands full at the moment but they are coming!
thank you both so much:) :) I look forward to serving Him...yet scared at the same time. I know it is not me that can change them...only God His love and His mercy:) That is the only thing that changed me....I thank you again for these suggestions:) I have had this on my heart for awhile...but had no idea really how to go about it. I know that these women will not trust...and I think that has me a little frightened:: I mean I was once one of them:( A hardened heart and not trusting anyone.
Please pray boldness for me and courage as I step out of my comfort zone and get ready to do God's will:) I as scared,nervous, excited all at the same time. Again thank you so much for these suggestions:) I know all things are possible with God:) And He will give me the strength and words needed.
I just want them to know they are loved,precious:) NOT pieces of garbage...WOW anyway thank you:) :) luv ya's
take care
peace,hugs,prayers
and blessings
carrie
p.s. I will take a look at that book:) thanks
luv ya
take care
peace,hugs,prayers
and blessings
carrie
P>S> I liked the analogy about the dog:)
Great advice! I second those suggestions. Beautifully written! Amen!
Hey Carrie
I wanted to answer your post, but didn't have the time until now.
You can start in county jail, with a bible study. It is a good place to share your testimony because, well they know that you've been there too. And your free now! One of the hardest things to do is leave prostitution, especially for drug addicts. They need to know that they are beautiful in God's eyes and how much He loves them....never be afraid to tell anyone that...:)
Then you just do the bible study with them. God's word WILL change them, just like it did me and you, He wants to do that for them as well....the jails want prostitution intervention programs and will let you come in.
As for help, well we are paired up with a Pregnancy Help Center that does STD testing and offers GED prep, I have friends who help me find jobs.
As for the strip club outreach, mainly we take the gift bags and offer to help them plan the rest of their lifes, since you can't dance forever (not many 70 year old strippers...) We simply offer to be their friends, no strings attached. I am NOT there to drag them out of the business, I am there to introduce them to Jesus...whole different thing. There are real needs, like a place to live, feeding kids and etc... so we have a list of community helps as well. We take lunch to the hooker hotels, just knock on doors and tell the gals that Jesus sent lunch because He loves them, and leave them lunch and a gift bag, and our phone numbers, sort of play it by ear and let the Holy Spirit lead. You can't go wrong by sharing His love! And the gals are like me, cynical and not very trusting, so it takes time to build trust. My friend calls it "Dog in the ditch ministry" If you find a dog that has been hit by a car and is lying in a ditch, you have to be very gentle and careful with him or he will bite you, because of the pain He is in. Same with these precious ladies....
You will do great!
Well, Hi Surrendering Angel!!!!
I just realized that you were the one that posted a comment on my website and linked to your testimony. Well gosh.. it's a small world!
Everyone has a different style. My style is more straightforward such as www.wayofthemaster.com That is a REALLY good site to check out as far as how to evangelize.
Steve and I just had a conversation about this the other day. I asked him, "If you were to die tomorrow, would you feel at peace about it?" He replied, "Well, yeah..I know where I am going".
I said, "Well, I don't feel comfortable about leaving! Don't get me wrong, I know my salvation is secure, but if I were lying on my death bed, and I knew I only had 24 hours to live, I would want to bring with me as many people as I could to Heaven. I'm not done here yet." That is the way I see it. Even though in reality I may have longer than 24 hours, I never know when my last day is up and I have to do all that I can TODAY to make sure that I did all that I could for God and because I care about what happens to others. I'm not willing to see the people and even strangers I care about end up in the eternal pit of fire. (I'm explaining where the fire in me comes from).
If anyone ever rejects you, remember that it's God they are rejecting and not you personally. But you have to find a style that is good for you. A good book to read is "More Ready Than You Realize." That has a softer approach than the way of the master but still a good book.
Last but not least, know that God doesn't expect you change hearts. That's His job. Only God can change the hardest of hearts. All he asks is that you be willing to be the seed. I once heard a true story from my pastor of a man who was out on the street corner every week giving away pamphlets about God. He gave and gave and never heard a word from anyone that ever walked by. After all those years, he never saw the fruit of his labor, until one day, he became ill and was on his death bed. Then, out of nowhere...a man approached him and said, "I wanted to see you before my death. I never got a chance to thank you for giving me that pamphlet. It was because of you that I now have Christ in my life." The man died a few hours later, but he died knowing the fruit of his labor.
so does anyone have any ideas??
I have been feeling the tug of God to go out and help prostitutes and strippers, in the Niagra Falls Canada area. Yet I can't seem to open my mouth to those close to me:( I also know that in Gods timing it will happen...but I could use a few pointers.
Like what to say?? I don't think I should go right up to someone and day "Hey do you want to know who really loves you and how much?" I want these girls/women to know that love of God. Also to get the help they need if they decide to leave the industry...can anyone help me with this
some pointers please:)
thanks
take care
peace,hugs,prayers
and blessings
Carrie
I read this thread and other threads and there are some good ideas in an effort to reach out to sex workers and in praying about it we also have another way to reach people and this works for reaching out to anyone. It comes from Proverbs, which is always loaded with good stuff.
"Pr 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
What we say to each other and anyone for that matter, has great power and often we do not realize it and maybe take it for granted, who knows? In taking a look at creation in Genesis, which everyone knows about, God created everything in 6 days. He didn't do that with His hands, but He did it by speaking life into existance. That really is pretty deep! He spoke life into existance!
The other thing that comes to mind comes from Psalms 29:18 "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Of course then we can get into the discussion that Jesus came to fulfill the law, but if we really understand it, that means that Jesus came to uphold the law and of course the object is to be like Jesus, so if we are upholding the law the blessing is "happy" are we and in that happiness we can speak life into people.
Part of being a child of the most high, we also have great power to either speak life into people or speak destruction into peoples lives by what we say to others. Scripture tells us that we are to exhort one another daily, which is another way of saying, "we are to speak life into each other daily." We all can do this if we have to start with love, because we know that we are His by our love one for the other and if we are His, we also have the fruit of the Spirit to speak life into people.
Of course the enemy comes in and attempts to tell us, none of that is true and we can't do anything. So then we end up usually saying nothing, but the fact remains we have the power to speak life into all people and when we do that it is like casting seeds in a person, which the Holy Spirit works on and in time, people will come to you and say things like "your different!"
In thinking on a little larger scale than those just in the sex industry, we the body of Christ can speak life into all people and people are naturally attracted to that. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." That really is amazing what God has given us, so maybe anyone that reads this will seek God for the truth of what is written here and perhaps ask the Holy Spirit to show us how to speak life into everyone?
It really is amazing what Jesus did for us.
God bless each and may His hand be upon all,
Sarah
God does have a plan for everyone and everyone is called to be a part of ministry somewhere. All jobs in ministry are important as it is designed by God to be a servant and save lives. God gave us so much, but how much do we give Him in return?