The buzz of excitement filled the air. Over 1,500 women gathered for the first VOUS Girl of 2018 and it was incredible! Mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, friends. There was something so captivating about being surrounded by so many women. The strength of sisterhood and community magnified as we shared in encouragement and inspiration.

It makes you wonder, did the women of the Bible experience a sisterhood like that? What would it have been like to grab coffee with the women closest to Jesus and hear their story? What role did these women play in history over 2,000 years ago?

One thing’s for sure, these women weren't just minor characters- they made fundamental contributions to the ministry of Jesus. They welcomed Him into their homes and learned from His teachings. These women shaped what it meant to be a woman of faith in the most crucial moments of history.

Kind Girl

We don’t know much about the woman who anointed Jesus with oil in the house of Simon the Leper. There are questions about her name or even where she came from, but we do know her kindness helped prepare Jesus for His burial. In an act of extravagant worship, she broke open a jar of expensive oil, bathing His feet with fragrance and tears. Even the disciples didn’t know how to respond as she modeled the type of radical love that Jesus spoke about. Jesus praised her humble kindness in Mark 14:9, “Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Wise Girl

Joanna was one of the many women to accompany Jesus and the Apostles. Her contributions helped to finance the ministry as they traveled from region to region. After Jesus’ burial, Joanna journeyed back to the tomb with the other women, not knowing what they would find. As one of the first people to discover the tomb emptied, she remembered Jesus’ teachings of resurrection.

Brave Girl

After being cleansed by Jesus of seven demons, Mary Magdalene certainly demonstrated bold faith. She witnessed the crucifixion and burial. Even in the face of doubt, Mary Magdalene informed the disciples of the empty tomb. It was after returning back to the tomb that Mary encountered angels joined by Jesus in the flesh. Immediately, Mary ran to the disciples in hiding, declaring that she had seen the risen Savior. She wasn’t afraid of what others would think; she was confident in what she knew to be true.

Strong Girl

Mary, the Mother of Jesus had one of the most difficult burdens to bear. She had to witness the suffering of her son firsthand. Imagine the love and compassion she had for Jesus as He took on the sins of mankind on the cross. Her heart must have broken when she saw Him ridiculed and pierced. In spite of this, we see Mary press forward in strength through her grief and suffering. She waited faithfully at the tomb and was able to witness Jesus’s life after resurrection.

While each of these women played a pivotal role, they each point us back to Jesus. Jesus, the faultless embodiment of what it means to be kind, wise, brave, and strong. Our loving Savior who willingly went to the cross for our salvation. Jesus gave these women hope and assurance. He valued their voices and recognized their worth. He taught them that they would never walk alone. As followers of Christ, we should strive to follow His example. Let's continue walking in sisterhood and fellowship together. On this VOUS Girl journey, know that you never walk alone.