Jericho Road Project – evangelism and justice brought powerfully together
Mike Lowe recently had the privilege of spending a day with the Jericho Road Project in Nottingham, a Christian charity "showing Jesus’ love and hope to those affected by the sex industry in Nottinghamshire"
“To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
— Isaiah 61:3 NIV
The time was 23.45 on a Thursday night in September and the van came to a halt. For just over two hours we had been driving the challenging streets close to Nottingham City Centre, meeting and ministering to women trapped in the sex industry. Each person was very different and had a different story. Their immediate needs for food and water were met along with a short conversation about where more substantial support was needed. For some an appointment was offered for the next day.
For all, one of the first questions asked was ‘How can we pray for you?’. It wasn’t the ‘being nice’ offer of prayer, it was a serious ask, and these prayers were offered there and then.
The Jericho Road Project is a Christian charity which has been running for more than 20 years from its base near St Andrews Church in the middle of the red light district. Over the years, the small staff team has supported hundreds of women with the help of volunteers drawn from churches across the city.
At full capacity the project offers:
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Drop-in and 1-to-1 appointments: Their base provides a safe place for sex workers to visit and get support, either informally during drop-in sessions or via 1-to-1 appointments. They can experience a loving and non-judgemental environment, access information and referrals, rest and recuperate, and be provided with a hot meal, drinks, snacks, clothing, toiletries, bathroom & laundry facilities.
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On-Street Outreach: Three nights a week volunteer teams take to the streets in the project's minibus, meeting women in the red light district. They provide a listening ear along with a hot drink, food and prayer if the women would like some.
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Off-Street Outreach: A team visit women working off street, offering a chaplaincy service and friendship to those they meet. They also take luxury home baked goods as a practical demonstration of God's love.
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Prison Visiting and Resettlement: Staff and volunteers work with women while in prison, visiting them once or twice a month and assisting with resettlement following their release. This year, the team has also been running regular Bible studies in prison and sharing the good news of Jesus with the women.
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Befriending: Volunteers build up good relationships with women. They often meet for coffee and can offer a simple friendship, advocacy and support, discipleship or build up confidence in basic life skills.
Find out more via this short video:
The women the charity supports are caught in vicious cycle. They have suffered trauma, often as young people which leads to dependency on alcohol and drugs which leads to street work, homelessness, mental health issues and further violence and trauma. This often leads to time in prison before being returned to where they were before, and the cycle continues.
In my role, I often hear conversations across Baptists Together which pitches justice and evangelism against each other. An often-tangled conversation between faith and works, between salvation and the call to be Christ’s hands and feet in the world.
What I witnessed at the Jericho Road Project wasn’t this dissonance at all. Christ and the Gospel is the reason the team gets up in the morning. They are powered by the verses from Isaiah 61, energised by prayer to then fulfil their calling to minister to be an example of ‘the least of these’ as Jesus says in Matthew 25. It is incarnational and beautiful to witness.
Jericho Road Project would love to welcome some new friends from Baptists Together. For those close to Nottingham, it could mean becoming part of the volunteering team. The team is very happy to visit a local church to explain more.
For those further afield, following them on social media, subscribing to their newsletter, praying for their work and supporting them financially would be greatly appreciated and welcomed - and would help them to continue this much needed ministry
For me personally, I am now supporting Jericho Road Project through a ministry I’ve been part of for many years which combines art, spirituality and justice. This includes going to Baptists churches and exploring these topics in creative and imaginative ways.
If you are close to Baptist House do pop in and have a look at the pop-up shop close to reception. If you would like to have a conversation about a church visit please email me or contact me via the Facebook page.
The Revd Mike Lowe, Baptists Together National Communications Manager
Baptist Times, 07/10/2022