In the sun-drenched neighborhoods of Jordan, where coffee scents mingle with the calls to prayer and daily chatter, Ibtisam had always felt a pull toward something more. It wasn't a thunderous voice from above, but a steady whisper in her soul: serve God, guide others along the path. She pictured herself as a disciple maker, fostering faith in quiet conversations, much like the community gatherings that defined her world. Yet reality intruded. In a place where church roles often fell to men, her ambition felt like a distant horizon. Encouragement came from friends and elders, but practical steps? Those were scarce, leaving her heart full but her hands empty.
She searched local circles, attended meetings, but found only nods of approval without the roadmap she craved. Doubt crept in—maybe this calling was just a dream, not meant for her. Then, scrolling through online feeds one evening, she stumbled on RM Network's leadership training academy. A year-long program, grounded in evangelical truths but laced with real-world skills. It promised not just head knowledge but hands-on ways to lead. Ibtisam hesitated, weighing the commitment, but hope won out. She enrolled, stepping into lessons that would redefine her.
The training demanded much: deep dives into Scripture, sessions on servant leadership that echoed Christ's example, tools for pastoral care tailored to everyday hurts. What struck her most were the parts on small groups—perfect for Jordan's tight-knit ways, where faith grew over shared meals and stories. Innovative twists blended in, like communicating ancient truths to modern ears without losing their essence. God shaped her through it all, refining that raw desire into something usable, like clay turned vessel.
Graduation brought her back to her church with a quiet fire. She launched a small group, starting modest—a few women in a church side room, cushions patterned with local weaves, evenings after work. Topics ranged from daily struggles like family pressures to heavier theological waters, always anchored in the Bible. Ibtisam's style drew people: respectful, blending tradition with fresh insight, making God feel close rather than distant.
Word traveled, as it does in close communities. The group swelled, becoming a hub where faith wasn't just discussed but lived. Laughter mixed with tears, prayers wove through conversations, lives shifted in subtle ways. Ibtisam saw marriages strengthen, young ones find direction, all under that roof. God had taken her longing and multiplied it, using RM as the bridge.
Looking back, Ibtisam marveled at the path. What began as a solitary urge now rippled outward, strengthening her church one gathering at a time. In Jordan's blend of old and new, her story whispered of possibility: when God calls, He provides the way, turning ordinary hearts into instruments of quiet change.
"God used RM Network to equip me with the tools I needed. What started as a personal desire to serve is now a growing ministry touching lives in my community." - Ibtisam
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