loan settlement

"Thank you.  I didn't think I was going to get a Christmas gift this year."

"Now I have something to give my children for Christmas!"

Christmas is often the only time of the year when clubs and/or controllers (meaning pimps or traffickers) will allow access to exploited individuals. 

In December 2017, the Out of Darkness team handed out 1,181 Christmas gifts to individuals working in Atlanta's sex industry.  It is because of the support of partners like Leslie Jacot, Factory Church and Norcross First United Methodist Church that our team received overwhelming favor and was able to visit 21 strip clubs (including 3 male strip clubs).  In addition, we were able to minister to others--outside the strip clubs--that were exploited on the streets and in hotels.  This year, we have a similar goal.  We hope to acquire 1,000 Christmas gifts to give away!

But outreach will be different this year.  Of the 21 clubs visited last year, 5 of those clubs have recently closed their doors for good with potentially more following suit.  

When a strip club closes, it doesn't solve the underlying issues that create vulnerability and allow for exploitation.  It actually creates more vulnerability by leaving the individuals who worked there without resources and forcing them to find new opportunities.  Often, these new opportunities are more dangerous than the previous.  It also means the individuals may now potentially be outside of Out of Darkness' ministry reach.

We pray for strip clubs to be transformed into legitimate businesses that provide sustainable, dignified work for their employees.  Decent work allows individuals to develop transferable skills, support themselves and their families financially and establish healthy generational patterns.

As we reflect on Him this Advent season, we remember how He stepped into our brokenness and trauma to redeem each of us. This is our hope:  That individuals in Atlanta's sex industry and their families know abundant Life through Jesus Christ.