Our History

Who could have predicted the impact home-cooked meals and conversation would have on a group of at-risk women? In 2000, a group of women began the simple task of cooking meals and bringing dinner into one of Lexington, Kentucky’s local strip clubs.

That was the beginning of the “Bruised Reed” ministry. Strong relationships developed, allowing team members to reach hurting, abused, and exploited women. Because of the positive impact in women’s lives, doors began to open to other clubs. To this day, team members serve weekly in several clubs—consistently offering home-cooked meals and unconditional love.

Throughout the years, our team has hosted wedding and baby showers, birthday parties, and other special events as new opportunities for the Club Ministry have emerged.

In 2011, team members began to feel God had more in store for the ministry.

Team leaders began to pray, having no idea what was next. On January 1, 2012, one of the ladies the team had often served in the clubs (and who had since moved to escort services and prostitution) was murdered by a man who was her “boyfriend”/pimp. Her name was Natalie. With the news of her death, it became clear outreach efforts were to expand to women in prostitution.

The Lexington Police Department partnered with this new Street Ministry, bringing security and knowledge of the industry to their efforts. Realizing Natalie represented the full scope of the women they now served, the name “Natalie’s Sisters” was adopted in her honor. The street side of the ministry now includes:

• A Drop-In Center offering food, and personal items

• Street Outreach

• Jail visitation

• Hospital visits

• Mentoring

• Community resource referrals 

In 2016, Natalie’s Sisters became a nonprofit organization and now partners with numerous churches and organizations to reach at-risk women. The faithfulness of hundreds of team members creates life change opportunities by extending hope, support, and God’s unconditional love.

Women have seen God’s hand at work as he meets them right where they are. Many have made the life-changing decision to get out of the industry and start a new life.