It always amazes me how God chooses to work in my life. 2007 was a very rough year for me, and I remember dreading 2008 and what it might bring. I prayed on New Year's Eve that God would help the upcoming year be a blessing to both me and to others who I came in contact with. I also began praying over what I felt God was calling me to do - write.
At this point, I had a small writing website where I would post little devotionals and stories I had written, but I never really pushed my writing beyond that. Then it happened. I started visiting FaithWriters.
I had joined the site in early 2007, but then I left my account to collect dust for quite a while. When I returned in early 2008, I began exploring all that FaithWriters had to offer. It seemed like a great place to promote my writing and to connect with other Christian writers. I took the plunge and introduced myself in the "newbie" forum on the message boards. I was surprised by the warm welcome that I received.
Working in the computer field, I am used to visiting various message boards and forums. But FaithWriters felt completely different than anything I had previously been a part of. The community was warm, friendly, and willing to help and answer my questions at anytime. What started out as an attempt for me to get some quick feedback on my existing writing, turned into me regularly participating in the weekly Writing Challenge. After my first entry placed 15th in my level, I was hooked!
I immediately began to see that this website is a ministry in itself, being used by God to help mentor and grow other ministries. I now see it as a training ground, where God is breeding a community of Christian writers, who are able to take what they learn and experience from the website, and translate it into something that will impact the world in a positive way. When I realized this, I knew I had to find a way to help support what I feel is an amazing witnessing tool, and so I decided to join the FaithWriter's 500.
For me it isn't about all the added benefits that you get as a 500 member (though the private message system is great). I decided to join so that I can plant seed that will allow not only myself but also hundreds of other writers around the globe to continue to be able to meet, fellowship, pray, and share our writings with each other. There are many benefits to the 500 beyond what I have shared here, but ultimately it is the community that makes the website so special. Faithwriters goes so far beyond just writing in my eyes. These people have become my family. It is my hope and prayer that many more people will join this family of Christian writers and back it up in every way possible. It truly is a blessing from the Lord.
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I just joined so I am just kinda making my way around trying to figure stuff out. Eventually, I would like to join the 500 thing. I am wondering, have you ever had any previous training in writing?
Maryfranceswriting@gmail.com
maryfranceswriting.blogspot.com
