This is My Story
By: Cecilie Croissant
Famous hymn writer and missionary worker Fanny Crosby certainly had a story to tell, evidenced by her more than 9,000 hymns and other musical works. Her love for the gospel and her intimate life with Jesus shone brilliantly through her lyrics. Her compositions have resonated with believers all over the world for more than 100 years with over 100 million copies in print! Like Fanny Crosby, many female followers of Jesus have a story to tell of the difference Jesus has made in their lives. Some have a wealth of understanding of the Word. Others have experiences to share of how the Lord walked with them through dark places. The body of Christ needs the witness and voices of its female members. Our stories need to be heard!
My own story with God started as a newly saved seventeen-year-old growing up in Norway. I had such a hunger to learn how to minister to others. Sadly, female role models in ministry were almost non-existent and my parents were not believers at the time. I did the only things I knew to do: I cried out to God and kept witnessing, leading worship, and teaching wherever there was an open door. As a twenty-year-old, I miraculously received several articles written by the late evangelist and missionary stateswoman Dr. Daisy Osborn. For the first time, I saw an example of a strong female leader and preacher. Amazingly enough, she became one of my main mentors eight years later! Part of my story is how incredibly faithful God is to answer the cry of our hearts. One of my desires back then was to one day be able to turn around and mentor others. And that is what I am doing now!
In his article, “Becoming a Learning Church—For Women Too,” author and pastor Neil Rees writes,
One of the keys to success in most areas of life is found in having suitable role models. With the historic female to male imbalance in church leadership and ministry, it is a sad fact that the majority of girls in the church grow up without healthy role models that encourage them to think of themselves as potential church leaders, speakers, or pastors…. A long-term approach that includes mentoring, preferably by women with their own experience in Christian ministry, will bring better results than attempts to simply catapult women into high-profile roles without adequate preparation. It is a process, and every step of progress along the way should be recognized and celebrated.[1]
Do you desire to be mentored or to mentor others? We have room for you! Women need to be mentored to truly experience transformation by being grounded in who they are in Jesus. Do you feel grounded in the Word but see a need to develop leadership qualities? Let’s get you started! Are you looking for opportunities to “tell your story”? The door is open! We want to celebrate every step you take!
Fanny Crosby and a multitude of women throughout history and in biblical times took courage and stepped into their callings. There are a bunch of us in Women in Community who are doing the same. And you can too! Feel free to contact us anytime at info@womenincommunityglobal.com.
That is my story, and I’m sticking to it!
[1] Neil Rees, “Becoming a Learning Church—For Women Too.” Mutuality Magazine, Summer 2023. www.cbeinternational.org.
