This month, as we conclude our time Listening to I AM and Listening to Others, we are transitioning to an emphasis on “What is an Iron Rose Sister.” One of the best ways to highlight one such Iron Rose Sister relationship is through an interview with IRSM President, Katie Forbess. After reading her letter, I encourage you to share your own story of an Iron Rose Sister relationship in your own life.
Dear Iron Rose Sister Reader,
Tell us a little about yourself:
Hi, I’m Katie Forbess, sinner, redeemed lover and follower of Christ. I have been surrounded by Christian family all my life. I would like to share the what, why and how of IRSM sisterhood in my life. I chose to write this as a letter because I wanted to be able to share the deeply personal attachment that I have with Iron Rose Sister Ministries.
What is an Iron Rose Sister to you?
One of the most beneficial and complicated relationship within the church for me have been with Christian sisters. This fact goes to the heart of the why of Iron Rose Sister Ministries. One of the most amazing examples of Iron Rose Sisters and one of the foundational relationships is between me and Michelle Goff, the Founder, Executive Director and Lead Speaker of IRSM.
Tell us a little about your relationship with Michelle:
Michelle and I have a history that speaks IRSM language. We became friends at Harding, through our major, and even more so with our common passions for Spanish and Missions. Our time spent together included team building with a group that was interested in going to Colombia at my parents’ RV Park in Eureka Springs. We passed the time together in audiology class and studying for tests in phonetics.
After graduation, we both moved to Denver to work with Bob Brown starting Spanish-speaking congregations. It was an incredible blessing for me when her parents moved to the Denver area. Then Michelle moved to Venezuela and not, long after that, Jeff and I moved to Bolivia. God used those years to shape and bless me.
Our story at this point could be one of thousands of friendships formed at Harding and blessed by God over time. The turning point came as IRSM was planted in Michelle’s heart as a space/hole had been created in mine after leaving my church family in Bolivia. The lack of daily routine and interaction with my teammates and the work that we were doing there created a vacuum and God chose to fill that with IRSM.
What is your role within IRSM?
I call myself a “Glorified Cheerleader.” I am a big picture personality and I love to do the “fun edits” on books and articles. Today, I am the President of the Board and President of IRSM. On paper, somewhere, I have two sets of responsibilities. As the Board President, I am the one who is in closest communication with Michelle about things that the board needs to know about, and information that helps us be supportive and make decisions. As the President of IRSM, I am the one who tries to help Michelle see all the parts and how they work together.
What makes your and Michelle’s relationship an example of Iron Rose Sisters?
Our relationship has always been based on the FACETS of IRSM: Faithfulness, Authenticity, Community, Encouragement, Testimony and Study. The definition of an Iron Rose Sister, as defined by the IRSM mission statement, also characterizes our relationship: IRSM helps women to have Christian sister relationships that will be like iron sharpening iron, encouraging and inspiring each other to be as beautiful as a rose in spite of a few thorns. There are some who would look at us and think, “not from the same garden,” but the ones who know us best think “WOW! from the same Creator!” As Iron Rose Sisters we are encouraging, equipping and empowering each other, and also other women in their relationships with God and one another.
Do you have any words of encouragement?
My encouragement to you, reader, is to hold tight to the relationships that you have where Christ is the center and in which you are able to help each other grow closer to God and one another. Use IRSM tools and resources within you personal life, inner circle and church family to fortify the relationships that you have and reach out, making new friends and empowering women to learn to grow in their relationships with God and one another.
What verse would you like to share?
Proverbs 18:24 New King James Version (NKJV)
A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
#IronRoseSister #sistersinChrist #Listentoothers #ListentoIAM