Current Connection: 1.1

Erin Stevens's thoughtful compassion enables her to reach out to the stripper community and help
lead them to Jesus Christ. The story, "'Strip Church' ministry helps Tennessee exotic dancers shed
their pasts," is told by Joshua Miller.

Erin Stevens, wife of a local preacher, wants to save these women and lead them to better lives. “I just thought that I’ve got to do something,” Stevens told FoxNews.com. “So I felt the Lord say to me, ‘Go feed the strippers.’” Stevens started taking meals to a local strip club, as well as providing counseling and support. I believe this is a wonderful idea; many of these strippers are poor and do not always get to eat every meal. This is a great way to go out into the community and show some benevolence to women who might not feel any.

“I told these girls they may not need God right now in their lives, but they will at one point,” Stevens
said. “We never go in with a Bible and we never go in with a prayer sermon. We don’t try to change
them, we just love them.” This a great first step into helping other women. Strippers, often
prostitutes and substance abusers, are most likely going to avoid someone walking up to them with
a bible. Shoving God down their throat is just going to drive them away. Getting to know them first
hand is an excellent gateway to telling them about God.

“A lot of them have pasts that they can’t get over, so I just say Jesus knows all that you’ve done and
still sees you as 100 percent forgivable,” Stevens said. “His love is unconditional and that seems to
resonate with these girls. I tell them, ‘God sees you as valuable and I see you as valuable.’” Stevens
points to a 23-year-old mother of two who stopped working as a stripper shortly after meeting her last
year as proof that the approach works. The former dancer, whose name is being withheld to protect
her identity, has since quit smoking and now wants to work in law enforcement after completing her
degree in criminal justice. This is clear proof that Stevens's approach is effective. Her approach and
the word of God can really change someones life for the better.

I can really connect to these drug abusive strippers. Ny aunt has fell to drug abuse and it really has effected my family. Hopefully my family, or possibly an outreach program like this, can help her and turn her actions around.

I really admire Erin Stevens and the work she's doing. I hope she, as well as other faithful Christians,
can keep up the good work and spread the gospel.