Keith Giles at his Subversive1 blog concludes his posts on HOW TO START A MINISTRY TO THE POOR IN YOUR COMMUNITY – Part 5 of 5 with some information about ministry to prostitutes. Here is what he wrote:
To learn more about Human Trafficking and sex slavery, check out some of these posts:MINISTRY TO PROSTITUTES – INTO THE REAL DARKNESS
I’ve only been out about four times to the streets here in Orange County to minister to women caught in prostitution. Most of what I’ve learned is based on research and several crushing episodes of utter, empty defeat and failure.
This ministry is easily the most challenging and ‘outside my comfort zone’. It means entering a dark, dangerous world where you are an outsider and the level of commitment required is off the charts.
First, a little bit of background about the issue.
HARD TO QUIT
Most girls who are on the streets will either get off and back into a normal life in the first three months or it will be another ten years before they can escape this lifestyle. Why? Because the work is so repugnant and degrading, at first, that if they’re ever going to escape it has to be in those first few months. Otherwise, they get trapped into this lifestyle through fear of their pimp and/or through dependence on the drugs their pimp supplies them with.HOOKED BY FEAR AND ADDICTION
What keeps most girls on the streets is the fear of being abused or killed by their pimp, and/or their need to keep an expensive drug habit going. Their pimps usually get them hooked on drugs as quickly as they can in order to control them. They know that no other lifestyle would afford their girls the kind of money they need to keep the drugs flowing, so the girls are essentially trapped into this life of prostitution.HUMAN SLAVERY
Another difficult and impossible situation is where you have forced prostitution through organized crime syndicates. Many girls are here from Russia, the Ukraine, Romania, Thailand, Cambodia, and other impoverished nations. Many were tricked into coming here and are kept here by the threat of harm to their families back in their home country. They cannot leave, even if they desperately want to escape, because to leave would mean the murder of their mother, father, siblings, etc.It’s very shocking to realize that human slavery is alive and well in the United States of America. Just about a year ago the Orange County Police Department broke up the largest human trafficking/forced prostitution ring in the history of this region. I remember it because it was just weeks before the Freedom Day on March 25th at Vanguard where hundreds gathered to protest slavery and bring attention to this very real problem.
America is the number one market for human sexual slavery. Anaheim, the home of Disneyland, is one of the largest markets for human trafficking in the Nation.
You can find out more information about this online at STOPTHETRAFFIK.ORG
DIFFERENT TYPES
You’ll encounter one of four different kinds of girls who work on the streets.1) Street level- Normally these are homeless girls who have no pimp and work prostitution for the food and for drugs. It’s purely survival and quick cash.
2) Weekenders- These girls come and work to support their children or save money for college or other reasons. They are healthy and generally wear clean, attractive clothing.
3) Circuit Girls- These girls work a circuit throughout California, Nevada, Florida, etc. They wear exaggerated clothing (very Hollywood-esque). These look the most like obvious prostitutes and are the easiest to spot.
4) Transvestite- A man who dresses like a woman to turn tricks. Some have had surgery and take hormones to round off the illusion. You think it would be easy to tell the difference. You would be wrong.MINISTRY IDEAS
*Stay Up Late
Due to the nature of this ministry, to find the girls you need to be where they are, and that means on the streets between 12am and 4am. You’re guaranteed to loose sleep over this ministry.*Mixed Teams
If you go out you need to always stay in mixed teams of guys and girls. It’s a bad idea for guys to go out alone, since they might be arrested for soliciting, and it’s not safe for girls to go out alone either. Mixed groups of at least four people work best.*Pray, Pray, Pray
Prayer is crucial since you are entering into the Enemy’s camp. This is where the Kingdom of Darkness clashes with the Kingdom of God. Expect a lot of spiritual attack at home and during the ministry time.*Bless Them
You mainly want to get to know these girls. As with other ministries weve discussed thus far, consistency is the key. Build a relationship. Buy them breakfast if they’ll let you. Listen to their stories. Ask them what they need and try to meet practical needs.*Gift Bags
One local ministry to prostitutes brings gift bags to the girls with make-up supplies, gift cards to shops and food stores, clothing stores, etc. It brings down their guard and allows you a chance to smile, bless them, find out their names and ask if you can pray for them.*The Pimps
Believe it or not, getting to know these guys can be a significant part of the process. One ministry I know of actually spends a lot of time trying to help these guys change their lives and turn to Christ. If they do, the girls usually follow and the operation is shut down because the girls, and their pimp, have surrendered to Christ and are seeking to live a new life.*Statistics
Sadly, 98% of the girls who are on the streets now will stay there, and die there. This means that out of every 100 girls you reach out to, only 2 of them will get off the streets and stay off.For those who do get off the streets, the process means getting off the streets and then relapsing over and over again for a few years before finally, eventually, getting off the streets for life.
Of course, these statistics don’t tell the whole story. Some girls get off and stay off in one shot, some leave after several years, others after only a few months. But you should know what you’re getting into before you commit to such a challenging ministry.
GETTING THEM REAL HELP
If you encounter girls who are under 18 you should refer them to ‘Children of the Night’ (if you have one in your area) or even the local police department. These are minors who need to be rescued from this lifestyle.The challenge I’ve run into is the lack of resources for girls who are under 18, don’t have a Driver’s License, or a SS card. These are usually girls who are here illegally or runaways.
If the girl is over 18 you can send them to Teen Challenge and/or another drug and alcohol treatment center where their addictions can be addressed and they can receive spiritual guidance and emotional healing. Sadly, most non-profit groups will not accept a girl who is under 18. Go figure.
What is really needed to minister to these girls is a long list of resources:
*Trained counselors
*Free shelter
*Addiction treatment
*Job Training
*Free Child Care
*Healthcare access (for health checkups, STD’s, etc.)As I said before, the most challenging and overwhelming ministry I’ve ever known is ministry to prostitutes. Not for the faint of heart.
Human Trafficking Posts
- Sex Slaves
- Would You Fight Slavery?
- Rescue Russian Sex Slaves
- Rescue Russian Girls from Sex Slavery
- Stop Her Nightmare
- Another Girl Rescued Today
- Girls for Sale
- Goal Reached!
- I Want to be a Prostitute
- $52,000 raised!
- 31 Million Sex Slaves
- Renting Lacy
- More Than Rice
- Human Trafficking Ring Busted
- The Other Big Game
- Sex Slavery, Planned Parenthood, and Your Tax Dollars
- How to Minister to Prostitutes
- Wisconsin Woman Held as Sex Slave in Brooklyn
- Coked-Up Whore
- Human Trafficking has Many Faces
- Into an India Brothel
- You Need a Girl?
- Human Trafficking Media
- The Son of God is Selling Children
- My Girls Raised $300 to help stop Human Trafficking
- Rape for Profit
- Human Trafficking Statistics
- Help Rescue Girls from Forced Prostitution
Wow. I had no idea there were so many layers to this kind of outreach. I’ll be praying for these ministers and these girls. This is the devil at his best as he traps and woos these women into bondage. May Christ bust in and rescue these future saints. Believing . . . with you.
What about the men??? Where is the devil with the men!?!?!
Thanks Toni,
I don’t have such a ministry…but who knows where God will lead???
i lovve what your doing!these girls need us/God bless you !
Clifford,
Thank you…although right now I do not have any ministry of any sort to prostitutes. This was more of a guide from my fellow blogger Keith Guiles over at Subversive1 on how to start a ministry to prostitutes.
You just want to find one for yourself. What is your God-Calling????
What if the men who pay these women to let them abuse them in any way they choose??? This world is so biased.
i love what you are doing/these girls need someone to reach them with the love of Christ!
What of the men who pay them so they can abuse them????
This is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!
God Bles U Indeed Its My Hearts Desire For Those Galz To Be Transformed & Healed By God
Not the men????
This research and experience is quite interesting and challenging, may God continue to bless you and your effort,
I have learn a lot from your writings and explanation. But I am in south Africa and we have been working with street boys and girls running by our self contributions. we need help spiritually and otherwise. the number we have is about thirty six both children and Adult. we work with them as born again Christians knowing that this is kingdom assignment. If you can assist us in any way contact us on the following numbers 045 838 1903 around twelve noon south African time this is office (other numbers 083 4904054, +27458588979 ) .
thanks so much
Your fellow soldier in the kingdom of God
You are missing out on a whole level of sex worker – the kind that are not on drugs and the kind that do not have pimps. That would be the kind I am. I am on disability and my entire month’s pay check does not even cover my rent (and believe you me, I live modestly.)
I am too sick to work a regular job. So I am trapped. I do believe in God and pray a lot. I even tried to stop working for six months and apply for jobs anyway. All that happened is I went through all my savings. So now I don’t even have that. There is no answer and no help. And I accept that. I am not asking for help or charity. I must do what I must do and that is all there is to it.
Jezebel, there is absolutely hope. I was in a similar situation and I made it out through the grace of God. I started escorting because I found myself unemployed and could not find a job for the life of me. I felt like God didn’t care about me and even told him it was his fault that I had to turn to the sex industry as a last resort. I now realize it was my own pride at fault. I didn’t want to ask my family for help financially because I was too embarrassed or I didn’t want to feel like a burden for them. The bible says he always provide a way of escape 1 Corinthians 10:13. Don’t let the enemy deceive you into thinking you have no other choice. I would urge you to pray and truly surrender your life to Christ. The enemy wants to keep you trapped in this lifestyle because he knows as long as you have a price he will make sure someone is willing to pay it. I started escorting thinking I would only do it for 1 day just so I could have enough to pay my rent. Well after that first day I got addicted to the easy money and ended up doing it for nearly a year until I was arrested. It took many years for God to truly heal me of the emotional & mental hurt I had acquired. I have no idea how many men I have had sex with and I struggled with having any self worth for the longest time. I didn’t respect myself so how could I expect anyone else to. Thank God he changed me from the inside out. He truly made me new again. I no longer want to show off my body with the way I dress. I don’t engage in premarital sex. I believe I’m worth waiting for. (Sounds crazy coming from someone like me right?) I don’t allow the enemy to use my past against me, instead I allow God to use it for his glory. Now it is my heart to reach out to other who are working in the sex industry and let them know they are worth more than any amount of money. Jesus literally paid for you with his blood that he shed on the cross. All you have to do is cry out to him and know that he hears you. He desires you to come to him. It breaks his heart to see you go through what you are going through. I am praying for you and praying that you see this message and that Jesus touches your heart and life like never before. God bless.
Fraud. You have no idea. No idea what it’s like to have to ingratiate your self to men who see you only as a reservoir for their semen.
We honestly need more woman like you Ruth. I don’t know why but I just came across this blog and after reading more and more about the sex worker’s life, I feel so much compassion and sorrow for these people. Also, you sound like such a God-fearing woman and was wondering if you had a blog where you share your thoughts and feelings of your past experiences.
Thank you and God bless
Thanks for your comment. However, I think you missed the point. I do not dress like a prostitute (not even when I actually prostitute.) I do not make “easy” money. I make only enough to cover my bills and pay for my medical expenses. As I said, I have health problems and cannot find any other way to help support myself. I am on disability and sell things at an antique collective, but do not have enough money to get my own shop. Nor do I have the energy to work more than an hour or so a day. I feel TRAPPED.
I do agree that it is not a healthy life style. Many of my co-workers fancy them selves goddesses and believe in witchcraft. I know in my heart this isn’t right. I will continue to pray for God to show me how to support myself without having to do this. Thanks again.
No I hear you. I wasn’t insinuating that those things described you or even applied to you really. I was just using my story as an example of how one can be truly transformed through Christ. I definitely don’t have all the answers, I just have a close relationship with the one who does. I will continue to keep you lifted up in prayer. And pray that God turns your situation around. I’m not sure where you’re located or if it’s even available in your city but I recently can accross this company called taskrabbit.com and if tiu sign up to become a taster they have different things you can do to earn income. They even have virtual tasks you can do from home. I plan to check it out so just thought I would share. 🙂 Be blessed!
When my wife and I opened a ministry to gang members in Bridgeport, Connecticut, we were approached by a group of young ladies trapped in prostitution who wanted us to open up a residential program to help them change their lives. We did. Although the ministry was sometimes very frustrating, we were blessed to see God make dramatic changes in some of their lives.
Do you love prostitutes?
https://youtu.be/o0sTjbfmMbc
Need to stop prostituting myself
Cristina, this site is not for you. I don’t have an answe but these people are condemning only the women. What happens to the me. Who seek us out and pay us to fulfill their fantasies? Some men who work on Wallstreet want to pay me to let them force my face down on their privates until they visibly see me gagging and choking on their Penis. If I vomit, even better. It makes them feel more in control. But WE ARE THE ONES WHO NEED FORGIVING. One name: Ted Haggard. The man who had no time for me when I was going through my own divorce and felt threatened by man I work for. Who can we trust???
Look we as a nation of people need to stop prostitution but we must identify with the needs of hurt women! Amen!
Please Jesus forgive all the prostitutes @ bless them god they come into Jesus faith I will pray for that ministry god want to help
Forgive all those who think they’ve never encountered a prostitute. When they, themselves may be the actual prostitutes.
I love how this commentary always asks for forgiveness for the prostitutes. No one ever asks for forgiveness for the men who paid the prostitutes to do whatever they want done to them. You are a hideous society.
You are a self-serving fool. I’m sure this will never be posted but I’m writing just to vent my frustration at the inaccuracies and self-serving idiotic statements here. First of all, no man should be out on the streets trying to convert female prostitutes to Christ. Any man who goes out and tries to talk to women who are selling their bodies at night is only looking for one thing. Whether he admits it or not… That’s what he’s really after. If you really want to convert women to Christ, you will send women. Compassionate, empathic, sympathetic women. I found this blog because I am a prostitute who is trying to get out once and for all. Unlike the story that this fool tells, I have never been hooked on drugs and my trappings are nothing like what he describes. Issues for women like me are far more complex than this simple man could ever comprehend. If you want to start a mission out in this fast mission field, you need to know who to send and where to begin. But thanks for showing me where I can start… I had a government job and so many men trying to force me to sleep with them that my boyfriend finally told me I should just start making a living off of it. When I left him for abusing me, I decided to take him up on his word. Instead of making myself a victim, I took control of the situation and started charging the men who were trying to force me to have sex with them. Problem solved… Of course not really. The problem lies in the hearts of mankind. In order to have a prostitute…there must be a willing man…. to sexually enslave A woman for money or otherwise. But I love all of your condemning statements about prostitutes and how God could redeem themselves. I hope that your consciences are clean when you die. Otherwise, you might go where you think I’m going. ?
Do you know where your husband is when he says he’s taking a long lunch work? Do you know how many men I have slept with for money who have told me that their wives think they are at the gym?
Delilah,
I am the owner of this blog (though I did not write this post), and appreciate the perspective you provide in this comment, and the others in this thread.
I would LOVE if you would write your own view on this issue? I would definitely post it. You are absolutely right that the problem is with what is in the hearts of men, not with the women.
I just came out of 14 years of prostitution but on a totally different level than was covered here. God did a thing and now I’m working on this exact ministry outreach. There are so many levels to this thing. I appreciate the article. Thank you very much. Finding resources is very very difficult.
Tara
Pls can we connect….. I just began a prostitute outreach and I would love to hear your story and will also want to work with you.
Thanks for the article. It has enlightened me much.the Lord gave me the burden for sex workers in my small town of kiserian in Kenya.I’ve by Gods grace been ministering to them every Friday. They now know they are like in a cage or prison.very willing to come out oc it,but most of them are oppressed by soo much poverty that they go as low as taking half a dolar(50 kenyan shillings to but a kilo of maize flour). I’ve involved afew friends with old mattresses assist them since thru constant talk with them I learned some sleep on old sacks.poverty has pushed them hard into these life but av seen them change day by day.thanks for encouraging me its a thing of real commitment and sacrifice. We gather in one of our church halls,share alot and this interaction is changing them day by day.am trusting God for tgeir recovery.
Am involved in preaching to prostitutes with my wife.
That’s why the governments should consider the Nordic Model where the crime is upon the buyer, not the seller. That way you are eliminating the demand and not penalizing the women.
This phenomenal information.
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God bless you for this article, I’m here trying to figure out how to start evangelising to the prostitutes that stand by the close shopping centre.