Local Ministry Provides Support & Connections For Women In Need
Photography Provided
Meet Kim Tabor, a native from Cleveland but has called Central Indiana her home for the last 25 years. She’s married to Brian Tabor, a Worship Pastor at Mount Pleasant Christian Church. Both are music majors and have lead worship in ministries for many years. A few years ago, Kim made quite a pivot in the direction she was going, and it was something unexpected yet so rewarding. Along with her women’s conferences, she now runs Stripped Free — a faith-based organization that reaches women in the sex industry with the radical love and freedom of Jesus Christ. Read below on what drives Kim every single day.
Tell us about Stripped Free. What made you want to be in this area of ministry?
A team of women and I go into the strip clubs in Indianapolis to let the women working there know that they are loved and they matter. We develop friendships with the women and walk with them exactly where they are. If anyone is interested in transitioning out of the industry, we will help provide the support and connections they need.
I do a lot of speaking at women’s conferences and actually have my own conference that we take to different churches. It’s called Finally Free. One of the things I teach at each conference is that God sets each of us free from something for something. A few years ago, I began to search for my “for something.” I tried many different things that didn’t seem to fit. Then one day I went into a strip club with some women who did a similar ministry to see if this type of thing would be a fit and if this is where God would want me to serve. When we go to the clubs we take gifts for the women. I remember handing a woman a gift that first night and she immediately asked what it was for and how much she owed me. I told her the gift was free. It was just because she was loved and she mattered. No strings attached. I saw the look in her eyes and the tears began to roll down her face. I recognized that look. That’s the same look I’ve seen in the eyes of countless women at my women’s conferences. The same look I saw in my own eyes when I stared in the mirror years ago wondering if I was really loved or if I mattered. When I saw that look in her eyes I knew this was the kind of ministry I was called to.
What is your greatest joy from this ministry?
I love watching God transform a life! I love seeing a woman begin to believe in her true worth and value and run after her dreams for the very first time.
What has been challenging?
Losing our friends is the toughest part of this ministry. Some have died from drug overdoses, others from suicide. And then there are friends like Larissa Sam and Angie Barlow. Larissa disappeared in 2015 leaving a 4-year-old son. Her vehicle and personal belongings were all found, but she has never been seen again. And Angie was murdered in 2016.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from Jesus first and foremost. I want to love like He loves. I want to be a woman of mercy and compassion just like Him. I also get inspiration from others across the country who have similar ministries.
What would you tell your younger self today?
God’s got you! Don’t stress so much about everything. Just stay close to Him and He will order your steps.
What Drives you?
I am someone that has been completely changed by the love of Jesus and I want everyone around me to experience His love like I have. It’s everything. His love is what drives me.
How can someone help Stripped Free?
We have an amazing Christmas Celebration every year. Each woman comes and shops for free brand-new toys for her children. We have gift wrapping stations and every woman leaves with teddy bears, Bibles, stocking stuffers, hams and all the fixings for a Christmas meal. It’s one of my favorite days of the year! We are always looking for people to come alongside us and help to sponsor a child. Last year we served 87 women representing 250 children. It costs $50.00 to sponsor a child for the Christmas Celebration. You can email info@taborminstries.org for more info.
We also have a prayer team that meets at Mount Pleasant twice a month while we are in the clubs. They are the foundation of this ministry and we are always looking for women who feel passionate about prayer who would want to get involved in this way.
To connect with Stripped Free, visit them online at strippedfree.us or on Facebook and Instagram, @StrippedFree.
