South Asia | From Fear to Flourishing in Ministry
“My fear simply vanished. I was even given the chance to speak there, and to my own surprise, I actually could!”
Rose* always had a deep desire to serve God, but she was absolutely paralyzed by fear. She had been terribly shy growing up and barely spoke to anyone. Fear had a stranglehold on her life, and it even caused others to dismiss her, making her feel useless.
When Rose heard about a women’s training that Novo’s Global Partner in South Asia was leading, her first feeling was panic. Despite this overwhelming fear, she made it to the training in 2023.
The teaching focused on three areas: 1) spiritual authority and the power God gives, 2) hearing God’s voice, and 3) intercessory, declarative, and personal prayers. “The practical exercises on spiritual authority and hearing God's voice were truly life-changing,” she said. “My fear simply vanished. I was even given the chance to speak there, and to my own surprise, I actually could!”
The team encouraged her that her dream to serve God could become a reality: "Don't worry, sister, just pray and move forward with courage." Rose felt her spirits lift and hope rise up.
It took a few months for her to find the courage she needed to start ministering to others. But she did! God led Rose to start in a village with mostly uneducated people. She got to know people then introduced them to Discovery Bible Study (DBS). "This method is very new and so helpful for those who can't read,” they said.
The women in the group quickly grasped how to facilitate DBS, and one of them began her own group (we call this a second generation DBS meaning a new DBS birthed out of another one).
Rose was able to identify two different people of peace in that village and started two new DBSs with those families.
She also expanded to two different villages, starting groups there. One of them was less receptive and Rose thought the work would fizzle, but she persevered, and it’s still going today!
“I've now reached the fourth generation of disciples,”
“I've now reached the fourth generation of disciples,” Rose shared (at four generations, we call it a gospel movement!). “I want to make the most of this opportunity God has given me, encouraging those doing the second and third generations and continuing to move forward. I thank God for the opportunity to be a good leader, obedient to his will. I aspire to continue this journey, reaching out to new areas. We desire for everyone here to become disciples, not just believers.”
What’s the difference, you may ask? Someone who actually follows Jesus, who listens to him, does what he says, and shares him with others. This journey is the same one Rose went on: saying no to fear, understanding the authority one has in Christ, and trusting Jesus to be the guide. Now, two years later, many other women are on the same path because of her. And Rose is just 1 of 250+ women who’ve been launched as everyday disciple-makers by this Global Partner.
*name changed
