Cafe Risque Gets Religion

A Tennessee woman is doing summer missionary work by converting a former strip club into a house of God.

Melissa Wortham of Memphis, Tenn., is spending the summer renovating the former Cafe Risque in Jefferson into the Living Hope Baptist Church.

As part of her outreach, Wortham goes door-to-door at local businesses, offering to clean bathrooms for free. She also delivers gift bags to strippers.

"It's just another way to show them that we love them - God loves them - without preaching," Wortham said.

Town and church officials are applauding her efforts. Jefferson, formerly known as the Badlands, fought for the right to incorporate so it could rein in the strip clubs that earned the area an unsavory reputation.

Jefferson Police Chief Steve Johnson mans a station housed in a mobile home near the former strip club. He said good things are in store for the town.

"You ain't seen nothing yet," Johnson said. "Things are on the upswing."

Nancy Lovell owns the building Wortham is trying to resurrect. She said only good can come from the change in venue.

"Maybe it'll change the perspective of the area a little bit," Lovell said.

On Monday, Wortham and local Baptists took down the giant Cafe Risque sign as they began the renovation. The mirrors that once reflected erotic dancers will be saved for children's dance classes, Wortham said.

The Rev. Norman Cannada of the West Charleston Baptist Church and his wife, Debbie, are behind the new church and hope to offer its first service on Sunday.