abstract | The purpose of this project is to strengthen the ability of its participants to share their testimony by developing a testimony
training program that will explain the biblical and theological justification, and the historical and social implications of testimony all the while exploring the
similarities and differences between testimony and story sharing. The basic contention of this project is that women are suffering in silence because we are
unaware of the commonality of our struggles and unable to share our testimonies. The Holy Bible says, "they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word
of their testimony." (Rev. 12:11 New King James Version) When women testify about what Christ has done for us, we become overcomers and God uses our testimony
to bring others into the realization of His grace. This project was conducted in five stages. Stage one was recruiting the participants based on their
availability and willingness to participate, and a completion of an entrance questionnaire in order to ascertain the participant's level of knowledge and
comfort regarding testimony sharing. Stage two was three testimony trainings/workshops to instruct the participants on the biblical and theological rationale
of testimony, the historical and social ramifications of testimony, the methodologies of testifying, and overcoming obstacles to effective witnessing. The
third stage was a testimony preparation session to assist the participants with writing their testimonies. Stage four was an intense drafting process to
help the participants develop and memorialize their testimonies in order to present them in the most truthful and effective manner. Stage five was a testimony
service where the participants shared their testimonies before a congregation of women and a service evaluation session where the congregation and participants
completed questionnaires regarding the effectiveness of the service and the impact of hearing other women's experiences. |