This is Doreen.
From her earliest days as a Christian, she never felt like she fit the “evangelical mold.” One of the main reasons for this was her choice of career; Doreen majored in drama and makes theatrical costumes for a living. While she always saw her creative outlet as something very close to God, the church world seemed to be less enthusiastic, always looking with suspicion on an art form that was surrounded by “acts of flesh.”
Doreen enthusiastically put down her deposit for BEMA Turkey 2022 and was eager to become a temporary talmidah, learning from Marty and the group. One of their first stops was an ancient theater and art museum! That delightful surprise was then followed by a persistent theme from Marty where he kept using a phrase, “the medium is the message,” to communicate what the Greco-Roman culture of biblical Asia Minor was like. Marty emphasized how people like the Apostles Paul and John would weave these cultural references into their writings and ministry.
Doreen felt like it had taken twelve years of God’s shaping and molding to help her realize that He’s been right with her in her work the whole time. She knows God has placed her in a setting where she is surrounded by those who feel overlooked and marginalized today. Whether it’s the systemically-low-income artist community, those in the LGBTQ+ community, or just those dreamers who are told to “get a real job,” she feels equipped to affirm their value to this world and encourage them to make their contributions.
Doreen’s time in Turkey has changed her beyond words. She came home with a new perspective to see her workplace as a gift instead of a burden, and an opportunity to spread the message of the Kingdom in unexpected, upside-down ways.
