#87 | Hospitality, Modeling, & Taking a Risk for Christ, Pt. 2 | Ruth Ripken

How do you share your faith with other people? It is not just a presentation as is often caricatured. While there is a presentation aspect to it, there is much more. It involves sharing your life and allowing people in. In our world of busyness, we need to take time and rethink what it means to be hospitable. What does it mean to truly invite people into our apartments or homes and allow them to see our lives in our everyday mess?

In this second conversation with Ruth Ripken, Ruth discusses the practical nature of ministry. It requires us to reconsider hospitality, our homes, our families, and what it means to model Christ to others, especially those from a Muslim background. She gives practical details from her life and others, removing the objections by showing how easy and practical it can be.

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Takeaways:

• A significant increase in women coming to faith may lead to unprecedented persecution against them.
• Historically, women have played pivotal roles in the early church, often facing severe trials.
• It is imperative for us to understand and embrace cultural nuances to effectively share our faith.
• Women must share their faith with other women, as this fosters a deeper understanding of their spiritual journey.
• The family unit plays a crucial role in faith transitions, with a collective movement towards Christ being vital.
• Hospitality is a powerful means of outreach, particularly when engaging with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

A profound exploration of the role of women in the context of faith, particularly within Islamic communities, is presented by Travis Michael Fleming and Ruth Ripken in this enlightening discussion. The dialogue begins with a stark observation regarding the potential for widespread persecution of women as they embrace faith in the contemporary world. Fleming and Ripken draw upon historical precedents, highlighting the courage exhibited by women during the early days of Christianity, who faced brutal consequences for their beliefs. They reflect on the current landscape where women in predominantly Muslim societies are often denied access to the same spiritual experiences and opportunities as their male counterparts, leading to a significant gap in the narrative of faith transformation. Ripken emphasizes the necessity of equipping women with the tools to share their faith within their communities, advocating for a model where women mentor other women in their spiritual journeys, thereby fostering a supportive environment for faith to flourish.

Further, the conversation delves into the cultural dynamics at play, stressing the importance of understanding the unique challenges faced by women in these contexts. Ripken shares poignant anecdotes from her experiences, illustrating how the patriarchal assumptions prevalent in many societies can hinder the faith journeys of women. The discussion calls for a paradigm shift in how faith is shared, advocating for relational evangelism that prioritizes family units rather than solely individual conversions. This approach acknowledges the complexities of cultural identity and the significance of familial ties in the journey of faith, particularly among Muslims. By underscoring the importance of contextualizing faith within familial and cultural frameworks, Fleming and Ripken offer a compelling vision for how communities can engage with faith in an authentic and transformative manner.

In conclusion, the episode serves as a clarion call to listeners to recognize the profound impact of women in the spread of faith and the urgent need to address their unique challenges. Fleming and Ripken urge their audience to take active steps in learning about different cultures and languages, preparing themselves to engage compassionately and effectively with those seeking faith amidst adversity. This rich dialogue not only informs but also inspires action towards fostering a more inclusive and understanding approach to faith sharing in diverse cultural landscapes.