Annie Lobert (born September 26, 1967) is an American formercall girl andsex industry worker, who founded the internationalChristian ministryHookers for Jesus. In 2010, she produced and starred in a three-part documentary on the organization,Hookers: Saved on the Strip, which was broadcast nationwide on cable television'sInvestigation Discovery.[1]
Starting at the age of 18, she didprostitution inMinneapolis,Hawaii andLas Vegas, for 16 years.[2] She left the sex industry with the support of Al Nakata, one of her regular customers, who had fallen in love with her. After leaving prostitution, Nakata trained her in estimates and service reviews in order to work with him in hisSuper GT Series auto body and design firm.[1]
In 2007, Hookers for Jesus established asafe house program in the Las Vegas area with one of The Church at South Las Vegas intern homes.[4][1][5] The program, titled "Destiny House", is a safe haven for victims of sex trafficking and primarily serves prostitutes and local sex trade workers. Annie left CSLV (Church of South Las Vegas) and currently has a new Destiny House Estate. Annie now attends Valley Bible Fellowship of Las Vegas.[5]
Lori Albee, Heather Veitch, and Annie Lobert at the Adult Entertainment Expo, 2007
In 2006, Lobert began working on a joint media project withHeather Veitch of JCs Girls, entitled "Saving Sex City". However, the project was short lived and as of November 2008, Lobert and Veitch were no longer producing episodes.[6]
In March 2009, Lobert participated in a nationally televised informal debate presented byABC News Nightline that posed the question, "Does Satan Exist?"[7] Other participants in the debate includedCarlton Pearson;Deepak Chopra; andMark Driscoll, pastor ofMars Hill Church inSeattle, where the debate was held. The debate was the third installment of the "Face-Off" series presented byNightline, following "Does God Exist?" and "America Addicted to Porn?".[8]
Lobert has spoken in churches and regional conferences throughout the United States, as well as during news reports and national news magazine programs. Her topics generally include a presentation of her testimony and experiences as a victim of sex trafficking, while sharing an overview of the primary and secondary harmful effects of involvement in the sex industry.[1]
As of 2010[update], Lobert has been involved withMTV EXIT Concerts andThe Whosoevers, a rock band and national evangelistic speaking group. During these events, she speaks and shares the story of her life.[9] Taking the name "The Whosoevers" (fromJohn 3:16), the purpose of the group is to "impact those whose pain has previously driven them to addictive or self-destructive behaviors."[10] Regular members and leaders of the group includeKorn member,Brian "Head" Welch;Sonny Sandoval ofP.O.D. andLacey Sturm ofFlyleaf.
Annie Lobert and her Destiny House program are depicted as themselves in the 2022 indie sex trafficking thrillerBeyond the Neon. Although the movie itself is scripted, Lobert and the interviews with victims are authentic and documented footage of real survivors.[15]
Lobert has appeared on talk radio and interviewed in major news publications throughout the world, including the Africa, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, the UK, and the United States.[30][31][32][33]
On June 5, 2009, Lobert marriedOz Fox, guitarist of the Christian bandStryper. The ceremony, which took place at The Church at South Las Vegas, was broadcast live on the Internet.[35]
