International (MNN) — How do we remember history well? It’s a question on the hearts and minds of many in the wake of political discussions and challenges. What history is worth remembering? Are there stories that should be left in the past? Where can we be inspired, and where do we need to learn from our mistakes?
International Media Ministries already has some experience learning to remember history well. Their Heritage Project chronicles the lives and stories of early Christians. The docudrama video series tells the stories of Cyprian, Tertullian, Perpetua, and other early believers, especially those from North Africa. For the most part, Christian history in North Africa has been forgotten or discarded.
“We can… see things that could be significant to our future if we examine what has occurred in the past,” says Denise Godwin of International Media Ministries. “It’s really intriguing when you start digging into the past to recognize how history of course repeats itself and how much we can learn from that.”
It’s not just about avoiding mistakes of the past; Godwin says we can find hope in stories of God’s persistent support and working plan. Even the most painful experiences often yielded spiritually amazing results.
Photo courtesy of International Media Ministries
“People were martyred, people were challenged, and yet with Christ, all of these things are bearable. All these things have a significance that we cannot achieve as simple human beings,” she says.
Christ’s involvement in our story can push us to show fruits of the Spirit, to trust in His plan, and to cling to the hope of the Gospel in everything we do.
And right now, the hope of these stories rings particularly strong. Even though International Media Ministries continues translation programs, they’re worried about the effects current events around the world might have on their work and their staff. Believers around the world also struggle with encroaching fear, and it’s easy to put prayer and hope on the backburner.
The Heritage Project says differently. The Heritage Project drags these stories to the forefront of our imaginations and teaches us that God’s not done.
“God is at work and he is powerfully using all these strange things in the world to bring people to him right now. It’s an extremely important time that the Holy Spirit is at work changing lives all over the world.”
Photo courtesy of International Media Ministries
Pray for the continued translations efforts of International Media Ministries. Pray for persecuted Christians searching for stories of hope like these ones. Pray for the success of online sharing platforms for the Heritage Project. And pray that God would continue to tell His story through the lives of believers around the world.
Ask God to use you for His will. Maybe someday, your story will be the one Christians tell to inspire one another.
Find out more about the Heritage Project right here.
Header photo courtesy of International Media Ministries.
