Sinners in the Hands of an Angry Mob?
LAS VEGAS, NV – A Christian ministry group plans to attend the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo this week in order to turn lost souls away from the “dark and spiritually corrupt environment” of pornography and toward the Lord.Beauty From Ashes International Ministries, a “not-for-profit, non-denominational, faith-based public charity dedicated to reaching women, men and children involved and/or associated with the adult entertainment and/or sex industry,” in conjunction with the International Church of Las Vegas, will host a massive “pray-in” and worship service at the church from 7:00 – 9:00pm Tuesday. Following that, participants will converge on the expo “to share Christ with employees and those attending the event” until 11:59pm Saturday.
Evidently, organizers expect the devil to be not just in the details but in every aspect of the expo, as they plan to “cover in prayer” the “mighty men and women” on the team in order to protect them from harm.
“[We will] push back the forces of darkness, build unity and strengthen the body of Christ before anyone sets foot in the expo,” according to the Beauty From Ashes website. “This will be attended by believers from many different denominations and churches, gathering participants in one accord to call upon God for His guidance, favor, and protection for all involved.”
The group claims many “sex industry survivors” will take part in the event.
“Our goal is to reach and rescue them, teach and demonstrate to them how to embrace the destiny that God has planned for them and then train and send them back out as harvesters to proclaim the Good News and help others in the transition,” the ministry’s website says. “We assist them in the transition out of and/or away from this lifestyle by providing sound biblical guidance and direction for situations brought about by their choices such as substance abuse, pregnancy, occultism, prostitution, abortion, etc.”
The group takes its name from Isaiah 61:1-3, which says, in part, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me … to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God … to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes…”