International (MNN) – Taking examples of the stories of people from the Bible can be an encouraging reminder that you’re not alone. International Media Ministries (IMM) is incorporating stories of women from the Bible to reach marginalized women today to do just that.
“We’ve heard from broadcast partners that women’s issues are really important and they need more products that address women,” IMM’s Denise Godwin says.
“So, we’ve journeyed into several pieces, short spots, for the internet and then full dramas of the women of the Bible to communicate to marginalized, abused women that they are still precious in the eyes of God no matter what has happened in their lives.”
Their programs are featuring stories of women like Ruth, Rahab, Tamar, and Bathsheba, all of whom have relatable storylines and can address the struggles of women today.
Godwin says Ruth is essentially a refugee because she left her home country just as many women in this world have been forced to do in recent years.
“We have Rahab, who’s sort of dealing with civil war and collapse of her culture. We’ve got Tamar who’s almost in an honor killing with a family member, and Bathsheba, who’s in an abusive power situation, and these really resonate in the headlines today.”
Godwin says women who’ve read the scripts have asserted that these stories and dramas are exactly what they need.
Stories like these are acting as encouragements for women who may be in prison, trafficked, in an abusive marriage, have an illness, or be in other difficult circumstances that they cannot change, and it shares with them that they are never too far from God and they will always be valued by Him.
“They may not be able to change the paradigm, but they can see women from the Bible, from history, from their own land that stood strong anyway, and I think that reinforces their faith, gives them hope that they are not alone… but other women have walked that journey before them and that God was faithful no matter what.”
Stories that Challenge Faith
Godwin says one story of faith that has moved and challenged her is the story of Perpetua and Felicitas.
In short, Perpetua was a rich, noble woman who accepted Christ. Her family begged her to give up her faith so she and her family would not be persecuted. However, she and her slave girl, Felicitas, stood firm in their faith despite the persecution and death they faced.
“It’s such a reflection of Paul saying rich, and slave, and free, and poor all mixed together in the Kingdom of God, but for the Roman culture, that was a visual depiction that women could stand for their faith and have their own voice… a message that really resonates today in north Africa and other parts of the world where persecution is occurring.”
(Photo courtesy of International Media Ministries via Facebook)
Godwin says she has been challenged by this story and other stories that are from the Bible to ask herself, “do I only want comfort for my faith, or can I persevere when there are challenges?”
Stories like those of Perpetua and Felicitas, Ruth, Rahab, and others challenge women around the world to ask that same question.
IMM wants to use their programs to encourage women to persevere in their faith and lives and believe that God is with them in the best and worst of times.
IMM is currently developing more stories and needs your support physically, prayerfully, and financially.
Pray for the development of their stories and dramas, pray for God to provide volunteers, and finally, pray for the women who are watching the stories to be strengthened with the knowledge that God is with them.
Equip IMM with the financial resources they need to continue developing stories.
