There’s A New Parlor in town offering the ultimate message. (That's "message." Not "massage.") It's the Message Parlor at 5th and Jefferson site of the Fantasy Massage Parlor until several weeks ago when a new city ordinance put it out of business. The parlor is now staffed with more girls than ever. Thirteen to be exact. But they're members of an evangelical Christian missionary organization known as the "Agape Force."
"We are an interdenominational group dedicated to sharing the good news of God's love through Jesus Christ." says CATHY WOODS, one of two team captains. "We're not recruiting here." added CHARLOTTE ALLEN, the other captain. "We're trying to save souls."Soul saving in an old massage parlor? "We're looking for people who want to change their lives." Miss Allen answered. "This part of town is where you find those kind of people. "Here we are closest to the street people. We've only been in town about three weeks and really haven't opened for business. But already we've gotten to know some of the prostitutes and pimps and have been able to counsel them."Some of the Agape Force volunteers have started counseling families with problems. And they have sung and "given God's love" message in taverns and churches. "We come from all walks of life and from every part of the United States," says Miss Woods. "I was an airline stewardess when I discovered the Agape Force. Another girl was a journalist. "Some of our girls are former drug users. That helps them relate to people who have that problem." The Agape movement, which claims 300 members working in the field, was founded eight years ago at Lindale, Texas. Young men and women enlist for one-year tours of duty. "So far we've had a tremendous response here," says Miss Allen. "We're working with some local social groups. We'll have a telephone hot line and offer 24-hour counseling in a few days." Springfield is a temporary base for the two teams. They plan to work here about six weeks. A grand opening of the Message Parlor is set for 8 p.m. Friday. Meanwhile, the girls are getting some wild phone calls from men who think the massage parlor is still in business.