There have recently been more regulations and restrictions placed on women than ever before, even in biblical times. Shari'a law and "morality police" are imposing impossible demands on women not to allow any skin (even hands or eyes) to show, to refrain from even looking at a man who is not related to them, and to disallow them from speaking in public. Women in many nations are burdened with the weight of expectations that are meant to crush them. This was never God's intention for women.
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28
THE IMPACT OF A WOMAN
Women have been chosen to share about the Gospel of Jesus ever since Mary Magdalene was the first to share about His resurrection! God created women as the final act of creation and He has honored and called them to a special purpose since that moment.
Today, the underground church in Iran is the fastest growing church in the world and it is led primarily by women! These are women who live in a nation that is one of the most persecuted on earth and still they are preaching the Gospel with all boldness, without seminary degrees or ordinations. They are replicating the church of Acts in the modern world!
Not only are women leading churches in their own nation, but women outnumber men on the mission field 2:1. Perhaps it is because men are being called to be pastors in their local context, but we are seeing more women, including single women, on the field than ever before! Women are uniquely able to minister in stricter contexts that men cannot access due to the cultural barriers. While Muslim women (mothers) are called the Gatekeepers of Islam, we find that believing women are the keys for Christianity -- unlocking and opening doors to hearts that were once closed!
How can I make an impact as a woman?
Women can make an impact on the world whether in their home context or by following Jesus to the darkest areas of the globe.
If you don't even know how to begin making an impact here are some ways you can take the first steps to leading the charge in your sphere of influence!
GLOBALLY
- You can have impact as a woman globally through going and giving! Sponsorship and giving to missionaries or missions projects are ways that you can use the resources that God has blessed you with to in turn pour out on the people around the world. You can sponsor a child in India to save them out of trafficking. You can provide monthly support to a missionary working in an unreached area. You can use your dollars to advance a project in some of the top most persecuted nations in the world!
- You can GO! Women are outnumbering the men on our short term teams every time! We take women of all ages, marital statuses, and parental statuses on our short term teams! We also have women on our long term teams in India and Iraq! Consider joining one of our short term teams to impact the unreached nations of the world for the Good News!
LOCALLY
- The simplest way to make an impact is by serving in your local church community. Join a serve team and be joyfully involved and active! Pour out on those around you in a way that you enjoy! Serve in the food pantry, on the media team, in the kids' ministry, or on the worship team.
- Get outside the building! If you are passionate about reaching refugees but can't take an overseas trip, look for ministries that serve refugees in your area! Many ministries help provide English classes, transportation, and house visits to those seeking asylum in the US. Volunteer with one of these ministries and involve your whole family -- it's a great way to introduce children to other cultures while also showing the love of Jesus.
- Pray for missionaries, for unreached people groups, and for the underground churches around the world. Prayer is powerful and effective!
