Annie Lobert
Encyclopedia
Annie Lobert is an American
former call girl
and sex industry
worker, who founded the international Christian ministry
Hookers for Jesus. In 2010, she produced and starred in a three-part documentary on the organization, titled Hookers: Saved on the Strip, which broadcasted nationwide on cable television's Investigation Discovery.
Lobert worked 16 years as a prostitute and escort in Las Vegas
, Minneapolis, Minnesota
, and Hawaii
. 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 his Super GT Series auto body and design firm.
. She is the daughter of Chet and Joanne (née
Osgar) Lobert. She is the youngest of four children, including a sister, Diana, and two brothers, Chuck and Bill. Her sister died in 1995, from Marfan's syndrome
. Lobert attended Amery High School
in Amery, Wisconsin
, graduating in 1985.
On June 5, 2009, Lobert married Oz Fox
, guitarist of the Christian band Stryper
. The ceremony, which took place at The Church at South Las Vegas, was broadcast live on the Internet.
that addresses prostitution
, sex trafficking
, and sexual violence and exploitation linked to pornography
and the sex industry
.
In 2008, Hookers for Jesus established a safe house
program in the Las Vegas area in partnership with The Church at South Las Vegas. The program, titled "Destiny House", is a safe haven for victims of sex trafficking and primarily serves prostitutes and local sex trade workers.
In addition to Lobert, founding members of the Board of Directors
include Nevada State Tax Commissioner, George Kelesis; Cindy Ashley-Nelson of Catalyst Resource Network; and Bill Young, former Sheriff of Clark County, Nevada
. , board members include Lobert; Young; Destiny House Director, Tina Willis; Lobert's pastors, Benny and Wendy Perez; and Lobert's husband, Oz Fox
, also known as Richard Martinez.
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.
In March 2009, Lobert participated in a nationally televised informal debate presented by ABC News Nightline that posed the question, "Does Satan Exist?" Other participants in the debate included Carlton Pearson
; Deepak Chopra
; and Mark Driscoll
, pastor of Mars Hill Church
in Seattle, where the debate was held. The debate was the third installment of the "Face-Off" series presented by Nightline, following "Does God Exist?" and "America Addicted to Porn?".
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.
, Lobert has been involved with MTV EXIT
Concerts and The Whosoevers, a rock band and national evangelistic speaking group. During these events, she speaks and shares the story of her life. Taking the name "The Whosoevers" (from John 3:16
), the purpose of the group is to "impact those whose pain has previously driven them to addictive or self-destructive behaviors." Regular members and leaders of the group include former Korn
member, Brian "Head" Welch; Sonny Sandoval
of P.O.D.
; Ryan Ries, son of Pastor Raul Ries of Calvary Chapel
Golden Springs; and freestyle motocross
aerialist Ronnie Faisst.
In 2010, Lobert appeared on news programs and talk shows in support of the Investigation Discovery documentary. These programs included NBC
's Today Show with Meredith Vieira
, and HLN's The Joy Behar Show
.
Some of the programs and documentaries in which Lobert has appeared or been featured include:
Television appearances
Radio appearances
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.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former call girl
Call girl
A call girl or female escort is a sex worker who is not visible to the general public; nor does she usually work in an institution like a brothel, although she may be employed by an escort agency...
and sex industry
Sex industry
The sex industry consists of businesses which either directly or indirectly provide sex-related products and services or adult entertainment...
worker, who founded the international Christian ministry
Christian ministry
In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith. 2003's Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism." It is performed by all Christians...
Hookers for Jesus. In 2010, she produced and starred in a three-part documentary on the organization, titled Hookers: Saved on the Strip, which broadcasted nationwide on cable television's Investigation Discovery.
Lobert worked 16 years as a prostitute and escort in Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
, and Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. 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 his Super GT Series auto body and design firm.
Personal background
Annie Lobert was born on September 26, 1967 in Minneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
. She is the daughter of Chet and Joanne (née
NEE
NEE is a political protest group whose goal was to provide an alternative for voters who are unhappy with all political parties at hand in Belgium, where voting is compulsory.The NEE party was founded in 2005 in Antwerp...
Osgar) Lobert. She is the youngest of four children, including a sister, Diana, and two brothers, Chuck and Bill. Her sister died in 1995, from Marfan's syndrome
Marfan syndrome
Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder of the connective tissue. People with Marfan's tend to be unusually tall, with long limbs and long, thin fingers....
. Lobert attended Amery High School
Amery High School
Amery High School is a public school serving grades 9 through 12 in Amery, Polk County, Wisconsin, United States.-External links:***...
in Amery, Wisconsin
Amery, Wisconsin
Amery is a city in Polk County, Wisconsin, United States, along the Apple River. The population was 2,845 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Amery is located at ....
, graduating in 1985.
On June 5, 2009, Lobert married Oz Fox
Oz Fox
Richard Alfonso Martinez , better known by the stage name Oz Fox, is the lead guitarist of the Christian glam metal band Stryper. Martinez's high school friends called him Oz in honor of Ozzy Osbourne due to his ability to emulate the vocals of Osbourne while playing Black Sabbath covers in his...
, guitarist of the Christian band Stryper
Stryper
Stryper is a Christian glam metal band from Orange County, California. The group's lineup consists of Michael Sweet , Oz Fox , Tim Gaines , and Robert Sweet...
. The ceremony, which took place at The Church at South Las Vegas, was broadcast live on the Internet.
Hookers for Jesus
Lobert is the president and founder of Hookers for Jesus, an international, Christian faith-based nonprofit organizationNonprofit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
that addresses prostitution
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
, sex trafficking
Sexual slavery
Sexual slavery is when unwilling people are coerced into slavery for sexual exploitation. The incidence of sexual slavery by country has been studied and tabulated by UNESCO, with the cooperation of various international agencies...
, and sexual violence and exploitation linked to pornography
Pornography
Pornography or porn is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purposes of sexual arousal and erotic satisfaction.Pornography may use any of a variety of media, ranging from books, magazines, postcards, photos, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound recording, film, video,...
and the sex industry
Sex industry
The sex industry consists of businesses which either directly or indirectly provide sex-related products and services or adult entertainment...
.
In 2008, Hookers for Jesus established a safe house
Safe house
In the jargon of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, a safe house is a secure location, suitable for hiding witnesses, agents or other persons perceived as being in danger...
program in the Las Vegas area in partnership with The Church at South Las Vegas. The program, titled "Destiny House", is a safe haven for victims of sex trafficking and primarily serves prostitutes and local sex trade workers.
In addition to Lobert, founding members of the Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
include Nevada State Tax Commissioner, George Kelesis; Cindy Ashley-Nelson of Catalyst Resource Network; and Bill Young, former Sheriff of Clark County, Nevada
Clark County, Nevada
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,375,765 people, 512,253 households, and 339,693 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 71.6% White , 9.1% Black, 5.7% Asian, 0.8% American Indian and 12.8% of other or mixed race. 22.0% were Hispanic of any race...
. , board members include Lobert; Young; Destiny House Director, Tina Willis; Lobert's pastors, Benny and Wendy Perez; and Lobert's husband, Oz Fox
Oz Fox
Richard Alfonso Martinez , better known by the stage name Oz Fox, is the lead guitarist of the Christian glam metal band Stryper. Martinez's high school friends called him Oz in honor of Ozzy Osbourne due to his ability to emulate the vocals of Osbourne while playing Black Sabbath covers in his...
, also known as Richard Martinez.
Media and public appearances
In 2006, Lobert began working on a joint media project with Heather VeitchHeather Veitch
Heather Veitch is an American former-stripper, turned Christian missionary who reaches out to women working in strip clubs, offering resources on pursuing a life outside of the adult entertainment industry...
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.
In March 2009, Lobert participated in a nationally televised informal debate presented by ABC News Nightline that posed the question, "Does Satan Exist?" Other participants in the debate included Carlton Pearson
Carlton Pearson
Carlton D'Metrius Pearson, DD is an American minister. At one time, he was the pastor of the Higher Dimensions Evangelistic Center, later named it Higher Dimensions Family Church which was one of the largest churches in Tulsa, Oklahoma. During the 1990s, it grew to an average attendance of over...
; Deepak Chopra
Deepak Chopra
Deepak Chopra is an Indian medical doctor, public speaker, and writer on subjects such as spirituality, Ayurveda and mind-body medicine. Chopra began his career as an endocrinologist and later shifted his focus to alternative medicine. Chopra now runs his own medical center, with a focus on...
; and Mark Driscoll
Mark Driscoll
Mark A. Driscoll is an American pastor and author. He is the founder and preaching pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington, he co-founded the Acts 29 Network and Churches Helping Churches, and has contributed to the "Faith and Values" section of the Seattle Times and the "On Faith"...
, pastor of Mars Hill Church
Mars Hill Church
Mars Hill Church is a Reformed Christian megachurch located in Seattle, Washington. Services are offered at multiple locations in the city; the church podcasts content of weekend services, as well as conferences on the Internet with more than 100,000 downloads every week...
in Seattle, where the debate was held. The debate was the third installment of the "Face-Off" series presented by Nightline, following "Does God Exist?" and "America Addicted to Porn?".
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.
, Lobert has been involved with MTV EXIT
MTV EXIT
The ' campaign is a multimedia initiative produced by MTV EXIT Foundation to raise awareness and increase prevention of human trafficking...
Concerts and The Whosoevers, a rock band and national evangelistic speaking group. During these events, she speaks and shares the story of her life. Taking the name "The Whosoevers" (from John 3:16
John 3:16
John 3:16 is one of the most widely quoted verses from the Christian Bible, and has been called the most famous Bible verse...
), the purpose of the group is to "impact those whose pain has previously driven them to addictive or self-destructive behaviors." Regular members and leaders of the group include former Korn
Korn
Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
member, Brian "Head" Welch; Sonny Sandoval
Sonny Sandoval
Paul Joshua "Sonny" Sandoval is an American singer and rapper. He is best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band P.O.D..-Biography:...
of P.O.D.
P.O.D.
Payable on Death is an American Christian metal band formed in 1992. The band's line-up consists of vocalist Sonny Sandoval, drummer Wuv Bernardo, guitarist Marcos Curiel, and bassist Traa Daniels. Their Christian faith is an important part of their music.They have released seven studio albums and...
; Ryan Ries, son of Pastor Raul Ries of Calvary Chapel
Calvary Chapel
Calvary Chapel is an evangelical association of Christian churches with over one thousand congregations worldwide. Calvary Chapel also maintains a number of radio stations around the world and operates many local Calvary Chapel Bible College programs. It presents itself as a "fellowship of...
Golden Springs; and freestyle motocross
American Freestyle Motocross Association
The American Freestyle Motocross Association is a non-profit organization that represents the interests of America’s Freestyle Motocross industry, serving to formally organize the sport and support its continued growth and exposure....
aerialist Ronnie Faisst.
In 2010, Lobert appeared on news programs and talk shows in support of the Investigation Discovery documentary. These programs included NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
's Today Show with Meredith Vieira
Meredith Vieira
Meredith Louise Vieira is an American journalist, television personality, and game show host. She is best known for her roles as the original moderator of the ABC talk program The View and co-host of the long-running NBC News morning news program, Today...
, and HLN's The Joy Behar Show
The Joy Behar Show
The Joy Behar Show is a news program and talk show that premiered on HLN on September 29, 2009. The show is hosted by Joy Behar, who is one of the five co-hosts of The View. The show originally aired in the 9:00PM EST slot and 8:00PM CST, but was moved to 10:00PM EST in January 2011...
.
Some of the programs and documentaries in which Lobert has appeared or been featured include:
Television appearances
- The 700 ClubThe 700 ClubThe 700 Club is the flagship news talk show of the Christian Broadcasting Network, airing in syndication throughout the United States and Canada. In production since 1966, it is currently hosted by Pat Robertson, Terry Meeuwsen, Kristi Watts, and Gordon P. Robertson, two of whom will host on any...
on Christian Broadcasting NetworkChristian Broadcasting NetworkThe Christian Broadcasting Network, or CBN, is a fundamentalist Christian television broadcasting network in the United States. Its headquarters and main studios are in Virginia Beach, Virginia.-Background:... - ABC News Nightline: "The Nightline Face-Off: Does Satan Exist?"
- ABC News Nightline "Saving Sin City: Hookers for Jesus Target Unlikely Flock"
- Breakthrough with Rod ParsleyRod ParsleyRodney Lee Parsley is a prominent American Christian minister, author, television host and evangelist. He is senior pastor of World Harvest Church, a large Pentecostal church in Columbus, Ohio and founder and president of The Center for Moral Clarity, a right-wing Christian grassroots advocacy...
- Le Droit de Savoir with Charles Villeneuve
- Enjoying Everyday Life with Joyce MeyerJoyce MeyerJoyce Meyer is a Charismatic Christian author and speaker. Meyer and her husband Dave have four grown children, and live outside St. Louis, Missouri. Her ministry is headquartered in the St. Louis suburb of Fenton, Missouri.-Early life:Meyer was born Pauline Joyce Hutchison in south St. Louis in...
- HelpLine TV with Morris CerulloMorris CerulloMorris Cerullo is an American pentecostal televangelist.-Early life and ministry:Cerullo, whose evangelistic ministry is based in San Diego, California, was born in Passaic, New Jersey to a Russo Jewish/Italian family. His parents died in an automobile accident when he was only two years old...
- Investigation Discovery Hookers: Saved on the Strip, three-part documentary, which debuted on December 8, 2010
- JCTV Christmas Special with Oz FoxOz FoxRichard Alfonso Martinez , better known by the stage name Oz Fox, is the lead guitarist of the Christian glam metal band Stryper. Martinez's high school friends called him Oz in honor of Ozzy Osbourne due to his ability to emulate the vocals of Osbourne while playing Black Sabbath covers in his...
(2008) - JCTVJCTVJCTV is a young adult television network devoted to music videos, owned by the Trinity Broadcasting Network. It is similar to MTV, but with a Christian focus....
Top 3 with Brandon CrouchBrandon CrouchBrandon Crouch is a Christian evangelist and inspirational youth speaker, a television broadcaster. The Crouch family is the founder of the Trinity Broadcasting Network,, the largest Christian television network, and the third largest over-the-air Station Group in the United States.- Early years... - The Jim BakkerJim BakkerJames Orsen "Jim" Bakker is an American televangelist, a former Assemblies of God minister, and a former host of The PTL Club, a popular evangelical Christian television program.A sex scandal led to his resignation from the ministry...
Show with Mark Gungor - The Joni LambJoni LambJoni Lamb is a Christian broadcaster and the co-founder, vice-president, and executive producer of the Daystar Television Network. Joni and her husband Marcus Lamb have been involved with Christian television since the mid 1980’s and are most well known for their work with Daystar Television. Joni...
Show - Life Today with James and Betty RobisonJames RobisonJames Robison is an American televangelist and the founder and President of the Christian relief organization Life Outreach International.-Early life and ministry:...
- Praise the Lord with Paul Crouch, Jr. on Trinity Broadcasting NetworkTrinity Broadcasting NetworkThe Trinity Broadcasting Network is a major American Christian television network. TBN is based in Costa Mesa, California, with auxiliary studio facilities in Irving, Texas; Hendersonville, Tennessee; Gadsden, Alabama; Decatur, Georgia; Miami, Florida; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Orlando, Florida; and New...
- The Pussycat Preacher, documentary film by Bill Day featuring Heather VeitchHeather VeitchHeather Veitch is an American former-stripper, turned Christian missionary who reaches out to women working in strip clubs, offering resources on pursuing a life outside of the adult entertainment industry...
- Sexy Missionaries, Italian and Swiss documentary film by Leonardo Capella
- The Tyra Banks Show (various appearances)
Radio appearances
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.