Born again, Vegas style
January 7, 2008 | 11:56
am
I met Heather Veitch and Annie Lobert at the Cheesecake Factory, across from the Green Valley Ranch casino. We had to wait for a booth because Lobert's stories about her years working as an escort in the Vegas resort corridor can get graphic.
Many years ago Veitch used to be a stripper in Vegas. Now both women are Christian activists trying to reach out to women in the Las Vegas adult industry.
They are in the midst of gearing up for Adult Entertainment Expo, the biggest adult industry convention in the country, which takes place in Vegas every January. This convention includes the adult movie version of the Oscars, the AVN Awards.
I discovered the duo through a series of popular YouTube videos they did called "Saving Sex City." Episode 3 features the two walking the Strip as showgirls carrying placards with Christian messages.
Even before uniting for the video series, Veitch received a lot of media attention. She thinks it is because she doesn't look like your typical Christian preacher. In fact, her look has been a major factor, she says, in the Christian community being slower than the worldly people of Vegas to accept her.
One Vegas topless bar allows Veitch to come at night to buy lap dances and use the time to talk to the dancers about Jesus. I have been invited along for a future trip and am very curious to see how that works out. Veitch says she has received almost no hostility from the people she is trying to reach in Vegas, even those not at all interested in her message.
On the other hand, selling her fellow Christians on her project has been difficult. Veitch has found that some churches are not interested in populating congregations with strippers she has invited to services. And then it always comes back to her look. Veitch says, "The Christian community can be very judgmental. But we think our look lets girls in the industry identify with us."
For the upcoming 40,000-strong Adult Entertainment Expo, Veitch and Lobert will be working the convention floor, handing out cards and delivering their message to whoever will listen. Veitch's current boyfriend is not happy because this means she will be among all the male fans of porn at the convention as well as the men who work in that industry. The boyfriend called during our lunch to make that point again. Veitch was not convinced. She still will be at Adult Entertainment Expo, working with Lobert.
To Veitch, her need to be at the huge porn convention is clear. She explained after getting off the phone with her boyfriend: "To me, I am used to the attention because I come from that industry. For him, it is hard because I have had several guy porn stars who are attractive come up to me and want to make films. But I am the untouchable one there. I look like those girls, but they can't see me naked. Now I am using my body to advertise for God. So to me it is not bad."
And it is instructive to note that the media love Veitch's look as well. Even before the "Saving Sex City" videos, Veitch had already become a media magnet, having done every show from "Geraldo" to "The 700 Club." A documentary on Veitch, "Pussycat Preacher," became available for free download last week. Lobert's media profile before the "Saving Sex City" videos had been slightly lower. But by calling the church group she formed "Hookers for Jesus," Lobert admits she pretty much guaranteed that everyone who hears the name remembers it. Lobert says:
"I picked that name because it is catchy. Most Christians might think I am selling my body. But I say that because I am trying to hook people on Jesus. I hook them for Jesus. I go into the casinos and I sit at the bar while the girls are selling their bodies and I talk to them."
Asked how she can tell the hookers from the tourists, Lobert says, "I know. I just watch and I know. I know because I have been there. I share my story with them and give them my card and invite them to church."
(Annie Lobert and Heather Veitch photo by Sarah Gerke)
I could not have said it better, myself, Pensamiento. I only wish the religion bashers on this board would listen to your words and understand the sacrifice He made for everyone.
Posted by: Jeff | January 08, 2008 at 12:17 PM
David, I chalk some of the religion-bashers comments up to arrogance.
Religion may confer a preposterous cosmic significance upon the individual, but atheism is the true friend of egotism. It is one thing to suppose there is no divine power, the universe coming into being solely through natural forces; this might turn out to be correct. It's quite another to suppose God is impossible -- that nothing can possibly exist that is greater than a 21st-century pundit with a book to sell like Richard Dawkins. Pretty egotistical, huh?
Posted by: Jeff | January 08, 2008 at 12:21 PM
These girls are welcome to come over to my place any time they like and try to save me. I'm a hard sell, but if they really work at it....
Posted by: John Bard | January 08, 2008 at 12:38 PM
For the sake of not arguing, I will accept that Mary, Jesus’ mother was god’s concubine. Hooker’s for Jesus are following Mary’s example. It can’t be stated any more clear.
Posted by: Bill | January 08, 2008 at 01:08 PM
I think these ladies just have some things they want to get off their chests....... They are a blessing even to the heathen....
Posted by: jay Alderkamp | January 08, 2008 at 01:43 PM
I'm very pleased to hear of these two young ex-strippers who are Christians today and are evangelizing other women in their former business area. Who better to carry Christ's message to them? They will know best how to reach them, how to carry the message of Christ without being condescending. And, yes, it is one's job if one is a Christian to do what they are doing & not look down on others because of race, sex, sexual orientation, social class, job, age, lifestyle or anything else. Jesus dined with tax collectors, prostitutes, and other social outcasts. Why do some who claim to be his followers refuse to do the same today? I for one am proud of Heather and Annie for being true to Jesus Christ. Thanks, girls!
Posted by: Darlene | January 08, 2008 at 02:49 PM
If I woke up and found Heather in bed next to me, I'd think I'd gone to heaven too.
Posted by: OA | January 08, 2008 at 06:21 PM
If Jesus were walking this Earth now, he would set up in Vegas among the strippers, pimps, whores, theives, con artists, drunks and losers - and he would come in love and without judgment. Read the historical record (the Gospels) closely, and you'll see. I don't know the content of these women's message, but the fact that they are there is itself truly an imitation of Christ. The churches ought to get over it and help the Hookers for Jesus with their ministry in any way they can.
Posted by: T Makeig | January 08, 2008 at 06:46 PM
I'm not judgemental regarding these kind of things, but I do feel it is essential for people to have a spiritual life. Anyone who espouses their compassionate spirituality in a non-judgemental fashion should be applauded.
Posted by: Jon K. | January 08, 2008 at 07:33 PM
Iver,
It's not my Christian desire to send you "hate mail". And, I will not criticize you because you believe God does not exits, either. All I can share with you is what God's word says. "The fool hath said in his heart there is no God". Ps 14:1
Now Iver, the way I see it, if I am wrong and there is no God, I have lost nothing. But, if YOU are wrong, you have lost everything - including a chance for eternal life! That's a big chance to take isn't it?
Posted by: Curtis | January 08, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Great job ladies. Keep being a light for JESUS in a dark world that Jesus has called us to, to share the love of Jesus who desires to set people free from the bondage of sin.
To those "christians" or "churches" who have issues over their ministry, please examine your hearts to see if you have a religious spirit. Jesus was hardest on the pharisees so be careful to not be simple hearers of the word and not doers.
Know Jesus and make Him known in grace and truth.
Ken
www.MissionaryRoad.com
Posted by: Ken | January 08, 2008 at 08:47 PM
With a bit of charm and just the right amount of cash, either one of these ladies would be considered 'backsliders'.
Posted by: S.E. Karber | January 08, 2008 at 11:51 PM
When will there Be an Escort for Easter Bunnys or Strippers for Santa?
Aliens and Jesus have a lot in common, yet only one can claim tax exemption.
Good to know star trek fans and others can have something to do, religion is like any other hobby, except wars start over it and people kill others in the name of there fairy tale.
Posted by: Nedly Mandingo | January 09, 2008 at 12:16 AM
At least it seems more attractive than what the churches of the USA have to offer beyond the basics of most churches. Give me a break. Listening to them is less of a gamble than what else is available at Las Vegas.
Posted by: Tim Noritino | January 09, 2008 at 12:53 AM
The humblest shall be exalted. Methinks these young busty women are somewhat mixed up, but trying to do the right thing. Continuing to read "Romans" and immersing themselves in pursuit of total "Spirit" can put them on more solid ground. I have read about them, but am still not totally convinced of their sincerity.
Posted by: DLW | January 09, 2008 at 07:03 AM
Whom might the Highly paid news Director, that made the learned decision to actually publish this story, be? Why does the news industry continue to give attention to stories about people that are clearly morons? Can't they see that it only creates more moronic behavior? Must have been a really slow news cycle to scrape this crap off the news room floor.
Posted by: mllewis | January 09, 2008 at 07:20 AM
Avril : I totally agree and glad you posted this crucial point -- this fact is definitely made the Bible:
WHEN JESUS WALKED THIS EARTH HE WAS WITH THE PROSTITUTES, CROOKS AND DREGS OF SOCIETY FOR THE VERY PURPOSE OF BRINGING THEM TO THE LIGHT.
I applaud these women in their evangelistic efforts, reaching out to a part of society nearly all other Christians would not ever venture. I would rather see these "hookers" doing this this kind of evangelism, which is more effective, than see those so-called "Jesus Freaks" on every corner and street on the Strip proselytizing in peoples faces.
Posted by: vanessa | January 09, 2008 at 07:36 AM
God bless both of you! Thank God the judgmental Christians didn't stop you. Keep up the great work for Jesus!
Beverly Davis
SundayCosmetics.com
Posted by: Beverly Davis | January 09, 2008 at 08:30 AM
to the person that said, "if they believe in religion and are proven wrong then no biggie, but if there is a god and you don't believe you lost everything"
that is fine.. i agree that saying is true.. by that same notion, then God is the one that judges us all at judgement day, correct? even christians must agree to this...
if that is the case then its not your job and you shouldn't be judging people on earth, what?do you think you can do a better job than God in judging people christians? do you think you have the right or the audacity to say " i'm going to judge that person as being bad and make them do this orthat or believe bc i say so i'm the judge to say they will be damned or not".. do you really think you have better judgement then your own God?..
if so then you are even more egotistical than an athiest as you say, bc now you are saying "i believe in a God that judges us all.. but wait a minute, i can judge you better than him bc i say so"..
Posted by: jay | January 09, 2008 at 08:59 AM
Beverly Davis: You disgust me. $100 bottles of nail polish? Using religion to sell overpriced cosmetics? The names of your products alone make me want to vomit: Testify (berry red), Avoid Negative People (chocolate brown), Hallelujah! (iridescent blue ), Carefully Choose Friends (bronze brown).
I'm sure God is really proud of your pursuits of greed and vanity!
Posted by: Sarah | January 09, 2008 at 09:29 AM
This is exactly the field of work Christ called us to work within.
He came for sinners, not the good.
Great work ladies!
Posted by: David H. Lukenbill | January 09, 2008 at 09:30 AM
Disgusting.
Posted by: Hilary | January 09, 2008 at 09:40 AM
I would like to know if the people who are so against this ministry would like it if their children became strippers, porn stars or prostitutes? Would they enjoy having their spouses spend up their family's money at a strip joint? Would they want a strip club or a house of prostituion in their neighborhood? I don't think so. Christians are not the only ones that have problems with the sex industry. These young ladies are just using Christianity as well as their beauty and experience in the field to encourage other women to get out of what is a dirty and dangerous business. God bless them both!
Posted by: Sharon J. | January 09, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Some how one of your racist dudes gonna blame this on immigrants...Just like the housing market...
Posted by: JR1984 | January 09, 2008 at 10:06 AM
One word sums this up? Hook. These women couldn't make it in the adult world and so they tried to make it in the Christian world, just like failed rock stars try gospel.
It's all about money. There are not interested in saving souls, they are interested in greenbacks, and have found a great hook.
What next? BDSM fans for Christ? They already have a Christian rap group called Gangstas for Christ.
Posted by: Manny | January 09, 2008 at 10:53 AM