You may or may not be thrown by the title, maybe even asking yourself if it’s a typo, but no. Today I want to write about women’s ministry the significance it upholds and the beauty of the ministry. Through the first month here at Adventure In Missions I have gotten to see firsthand the power a woman has, the power of unity, and the expansion of the Kingdom through these warriors. Today’s blog will be a bit different, but I’d love for you to take a read, and before you continue I’d love for you to pray. Ask the Lord to clear your mind, mute the noise around you so you can have an open mind reading this blog today.
Let me start out with a question to get you thinking a bit- how do you think a woman views herself? From my perspective some might value themselves from the lens of others; the actions of others and/or words of affirmation that can either point them higher up or cripple them down. I was doing some googling and research about how women view themselves; according to a survey from Dove in Australia, 9,397 women out of 11,000 rated themselves average instead of beautiful. That’s 11,000 women out of the 3.8 billion who are in the world today. How many do you think are viewing themselves as “average”, and not thinking or caring about the beauty that lives within them; “you are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way” (Songs of Songs 4:7). What if all women saw themselves through the eyes of Jesus? It would be in my opinion a perfect world. Unfortunately that’s not the case. So question for you men, in what ways are you seeing women – for their physical traits or their worth? Is it pointing them higher or tearing them down? How women are treated matters and will make a big difference in their lives.
This past week here on campus we had a gender separation where the men went to the Appalachian Mountains for the week while the women had a little retreat here on campus. I had the honor to come back home to hear all the good that God had done through these women. Definitely check out their blogs where you can find out more details and hear all the great stories. On Friday night there were a couple of us hanging out recapping the week, one of the women shared what was an impactful night they experienced that week called “Stand up for your sisters”. Each of the women got to open up about their life, their past, their worries and insecurities. When I heard this it touched me and felt like shedding some (manly) tears. The women realized maybe for the first time that they aren’t going through “it” alone, through life alone. That no mess is too messy especially for God. Women, don’t think you don’t matter or your story doesn’t matter because you do. Her story matters, you matter. “She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future.” (Proverbs 31:26)
In John 4 you see Jesus talking to a Samaritan woman who was the first missionary to share that Jesus was the Messiah. The woman was shocked that Jesus was talking to her because He was a Jew and Jews couldn’t associate with Samaritans. Jesus shared with the woman that the water from the well will leave everyone who drinks it thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water He gives them will never thirst. He proclaimed to the woman that the water He gives will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life. In John 4:39 many Samaritans from town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything that I did”. After Jesus stayed in town with the Samaritans for a couple of days the Samaritans believed the woman’s testimony, and now they have heard and seen for themselves that Jesus is the Messiah. To look at it more in depth about the power of women, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to Jesus’ tomb and saw that the tomb was rolled away and Jesus had risen back to life. After being empowered with the information of an angel to go back to share the news with the disciples, they were personally greeted by Jesus. Telling them to go amongst their brothers to testify that He was going to meet them in Galilee (see Matthew 28:8-10). In the book of Mark he shares that when the women went to testify the good news no one believed in their word (see Mark 16). When a woman shares and testifies about Jesus you shouldn’t doubt their word non the less anyone for that matter. There is power when a woman speaks.
Thanks for giving it a read, would love to hear your thoughts and any question you may have down in the comments below.
With Peace and Love,
JP
Song suggestion: Break Every Chain by Jesus Culture
Shout out to Maggie following her calling to lead a women’s ministry CAYA, Come As You Are.
Citations
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL.FE.IN?end=2019&start=1960
JP!! King. Your words are so good and understanding and powerful. Thanks for having such a vision and heart for women’s ministry. We’re some lucky girls to have you on our squad.
i. love. women. thanks for sharing your heart on this, JP. you’re quite the MOG.
Josh,
Very powerful blog! You are demonstrating the exact character that God is looking for to share his word. You are about as selfless as it gets and willing to do anything for anyone. That’s all you following your heart and listening to God. I couldn’t agree with you more about the power of women and their ability to minister to others. The most powerful prayers I have ever heard have come from women. I truly believe that each of you were hand selected by God to be together in Georgia to form a bond that is unbreakable and you all realize you are much more powerful together and that none of you will ever be alone again. You all can accomplish all things through Christ.
The other JP
Wow!!! Seriously blown away by your heart! Common JP! Thank you so much for your encouragement & realness! So good!
JP! Beautifully written- LOVE your heart for Women’s ministry. You’re awesome. This is POWERFUL.