Greater Reach: Inspiring Women In Jordan

Kristin is finishing up her Jordan trip along with her husband, Fred this week. Here's an update I received from Fred on Saturday...

"Yesterday we went to the baptism site and were surprised to see a crowd of 1000 + in attendance. It was very cool to be right on the Jordan in the site many say is where John baptised Jesus. It was obviously more of a significant event than Kristin or I realized as both Tony Blair of England and the Royal Prince of Jordan werre in attendance and spoke at the dedication. Thanks to Nabeeh, we were given VIP seats in the second row. Very good day, but it was a 7 hour event and we were very tired by the end.

Today Kristin headed off for Aqaba with AWT to do her two days of teaching. She called tonight and said the first two sessions went very well. A woman came up to her after she spoke and said: "This is a very important message and we need to hear it. Even though we are from the Christian church we live in a Muslim culture and community. Our town and our country are Muslim and our husbands are more Muslim than Christian."
The message of the incredible value these women have, created in the image of God and loved by Him is life giving and so needed for their soul care."

Praise God for His work in Jordan!
(Posted by Alyssa)

Insights from the Jordan Team

When my husband Mark and I were invited to join Fred and Kristin and Greater Reach Ministries to journey to Jordan, we were both initially apprehensive and in awe of the door that God had opened for us…Why us, Lord?? What do we have to offer to this ministry, how could we possibly be of use to You there??

While most visitors go to Jordan for the sole purpose of seeing the magnificent rock-cut city of Petra, which is truly a feast for the eyes…or the amazing Biblical sites, they may miss the opportunity to experience Jordan’s greatest natural resource… it’s incredibly gracious and hospitable people…never have we experienced such an outpouring of love and warmth!!

We know the Lord went before us, clearing away any obstacles and preparing our hearts and minds and those of the attendees. We were deeply touched by the commitment these couples had to the instruction and the enthusiasm they had to share it with others! It was our joy to be there to share and encourage them. I think we learned more from their open hearts!!

Teaming up with AWT~ Arab Women Today, in a predominantly Muslim, male-dominated society, the concepts taught (conflict resolution, stress management and communication) provided the attendees with new insights, totally unfamiliar to their culture. Only upon our arrival in Heaven will we know the outcome of how our love and support during these seminars will further the message of who God wants us to be and how we are to love and respect one another.

The work being done by both of these ministries is transforming the lives of Arab women! Greater Reach Ministry truly lived up to their name, vision and mission statement!

Lives changed. Hearts blessed. Believers encouraged...

...as we travelled to the country of Jordan, a Muslim country known for its hospitality, biblical sites, and Petra. We conducted three seminars in three different communities over a two week period in mid-May.

• Greater Reach Ministries taught seminars for at least five different church denominations: Baptist, Nazarene, Evangelical Free, Pentecostal, and Alliance
• Topics covered: conflict resolution, communication, developing intimacy in marriage, motivation, seasons of a woman’s/man’s life, stress management
• Seminars presented in three different cities to 100’s of people
• Amman, Husn, and Zarqa were conference targets.

A sampling of comments from those who attended these meetings:

o “This is the first time we have ever learned how to grow deep in our marriage and the first time these topics have ever been taught in our church! Thank you!”

o “The stress management session helped me to realize that I do have a lot of different things causing stress, and it’s not always my spouse’s fault. I am sorry for blaming him for everything”

o “This has changed my life!”

o One husband said, “I realize I have been too selfish. I will start now to be more selfless, even saying yes now to a small request my wife made which I had said no to before.”

o Another woman said, “This conference was life-changing. My husband and I have made a commitment to change our life-style. The time here has shown me that we need to spend time together to develop our spiritual intimacy as a couple.”

Goals Reached: The goal of uplifting women in the Middle East, who are limited in many ways and not as respected as men, was achieved.

• Women and men were equipped and encouraged in their walk with God and in their marriages. Walls were broken down and hurts were addressed.


• The time in Jordan was well-spent:it was God-inspired and God-led.