Outside the boundaries of Baylor’s extravagant and meticulously groomed campus looms the ever-present poverty of Waco. Though college students often make remarks about their lack of money, few find themselves in the predicaments of their fellow Wacoans. People find themselves working jobs they never anticipated; such is the case for many women who find employment at gentleman’s clubs. Uncommon hours and low pay force these women to a lower standard of life than that which is depicted in the glamorized sex industry of the media.
Finding work in the sex industry is usually not one’s first choice. In big cities like Dallas, dancers make good money and better tips. However, in Waco, the entertainers struggle to live off of their paychecks. The sex industry also leads to further problems. Many dancers find themselves struggling with substance abuse, emotional or physical abuse, criminal records, homelessness, prostitution, and rape. Even if these women find the means to leave the sex industry, their employment history can keep them from getting a better job or pursuing further education. Because of this, many women get caught in the cycle of the sex industry. Once they are in, it is exceedingly difficult to escape. Due to these conditions, it is easy for dancers to feel a sense of hopelessness and despair.
However, Waco locals and Baylor graduates Brett and Emily Mills founded an organization called Jesus Said Love thirteen years ago in an effort to empower, equip, and enable these women to find more stable employment. Their mantra is to “share the revolutionary love of Christ with women in the commercial sex industry by awakening hope and empowering change.” While JSL workers do make an effort to share their faith, the organization takes a “no strings attached” approach to their outreach. This means that the volunteers expect nothing in return from the women and seek only to form relationships with them.
Jesus Said Love is an organization with many different facets. Perhaps their most well-known form of outreach is “club ministry,” in which they send teams of volunteers (who have previously undergone extensive training) into clubs with gifts for the dancers. They arrive early so as to speak with the women as they prepare for the night and hand out things like t-shirts or earrings. The purpose of this is to form relationships with the dancers and show them that they are loved. JSL has a good relationship with three of Waco’s seven clubs.
Jesus Said Love’s ministry reaches much further than just ministering to women at the clubs. The organization helps connect dancers with practical resources. Emily Mills has an account at a clothing store to provide interview appropriate attire to women looking to pursue a better job. In a specific case, Jesus Said Love funded a former dancer in her business idea, creating the popular Luna Juice. JSL also connects women with job training, rehab, counseling, and churches.
Currently, JSL is constructing headquarters in downtown Waco. This building will be a safe place for dancers with an exercise area, locker rooms, childcare, and more. Instead of outsourcing for things like job training and counseling, these services will be offered in the JSL headquarters. There will also be a retail store to help fund the ministry. Though it was founded in Waco, Jesus Said Love has branches in cities across Texas. JSL is also very easy to get involved in; students can donate or volunteer and help spread the word about JSL. It is the perfect place for any Baylor students looking to impact lives in the Waco area and witness God’s love at work.
Sources
https://notmytaboo.com/category/sex-industry/
Nikki Thompson is a sophomore BIC student majoring in English.