My journey into ministry to women began nearly seven years ago. After being inspired by another military spouse to open my home and invite women in to share the Scriptures together, the Lord began to show me how fiercely He is in pursuit of the women in the active-duty military community.
With no workbook or curriculum, I grabbed a hot cup of coffee and my Bible in hand. I opened the front door and six cherished military spouses congregated around my coffee table. Before I knew it, these faithful six grew into 17. After that, nearly 25 women were dragging lawn chairs and red wagons full of children into my tiny, military living room.
It was a beautiful scene. There we were, shoulder to shoulder and knee to knee. Children were running through the backyard while babies were on the floor or on the breast. Life was happening – specifically life circled and centered around the gospel of Jesus. Women were discovering God, and also themselves. I loved, and still do love, every minute of it.
In our humble crew, we had new military spouses who were barely 19 years old. Young mothers with toddlers in tow found their way to our sacred group. Seasoned spouses, commander’s wives, and all manner of women landed with us each week. The only book that could span age, ethnicity, life walks, and all else was the Bible itself.
Curriculum frustrated me. I didn’t want another “fluffy” book with pictures and lists that were marketed toward Christian women. I didn’t want a limited perspective on women painted, or books that boasted a “womanhood” solely based on domesticity. Needless to say, the pickings were sort of slim.
What I did want was a Bible study that had more Bible in it. I wanted resources that taught women how to study the Bible through teaching large passages – verse by verse. I found the answer to prayer in the Moody Publishers Women’s line of Bible studies.
Personally, I have taught many of them – multiple times in a row. I even wrote another article for Military Spouse Magazine about my favorite Bible studies for women. Many of my top favorites are published by Moody Publishers.
I would go on to teach these fantastic resources over the next few years. Ultimately these books, and the authors who penned them, would be the encouragers that urged me forward in my own writing and teaching career.
After attending the Moody Bible Institute’s “Called” Conference and pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Ministry Leadership with a focus in ministry to women at the Moody Bible Institute, I felt equipped to begin writing Bible studies for God’s people.
I’m beyond excited to announce the official release of my very first Bible study, “Summoned: Answering a Call to the Impossible,” this month. This book is published through the very same line of studies that I have so faithfully used before. I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to stand in such a line of legacy-making women as the authors and teachers at Moody Publishers.
I want to be the first to invite you to encounter the fullness of God’s grace, the power of His promises, and the beauty of His faithfulness—all through the life of one woman: Esther.
In a time when the world around her seemed to crumble, a young Hebrew girl found herself in a unique position to help save her people—and to encounter the greatness of our ever-faithful God. In Summoned, you’ll enter the story of Esther—her calling, pain, and role in God’s ultimate plan for salvation—and see how God is always working in the lives of His people, even when He seems distant.
Through this 8-week, interactive study, you’ll develop a deeper appreciation for God’s Word and begin to see that stepping out in faith for His glory is often the first step to encountering His redeeming love.
I hope that you’ll join us for our first international military spouse Bible study through “Summoned,” starting on Thursday June 10th. The online study will be livestreamed through our host church, Back Bay Church, Ocean Springs and we will have a special Facebook group for all of us to interact with each other from all over the globe.
You can request to be added here.
During this season of social distancing and limited connection, I know that, more than ever, we are feeling isolated and frustrated. Let’s come together and fellowship, remembering that God is in charge.
Megan B. Brown is a seasoned military spouse and military missionary. She is the Military Liaison for the Speak Up Conference Global Missions Military Scholarship and the 2019-Armed Forces Insurance Robins AFB Military Spouse of the Year. She is passionate about military mission work and teaching and preaching about Jesus in and out of the local church. Her Bible study, “Summoned: Answering a Call to the Impossible,” published by Moody Publishers in Chicago, will release in May 2021. She lives in south Mississippi with her husband, Keith, and their energetic kiddos. She is a Bible teacher, speaker, and freelance writer. To learn more or connect with Megan, visit www.meganbbrown.com.
