Joy to the World!
By Kathleen Cooke, Influence Women Global Director
In the late 1800s, a young William Booth began what we know today as The Salvation Army. He knew he needed to communicate effectively with his followers and workers with a Christmas message of hope, encouragement, and resilience. The telegraph was the only way to communicate quickly. Each word cost him money, and he didn’t have much. So, he sent one word: “others.” It said it all.
Today, I send you that word to you – “others.”
You are the hope for our world as artists and creatives. You change what we see and hear on our screens and affect many lives with your artistic work. Through your endeavors and creativity, you have brought renewed inspiration through your projects, creative work, and productions. You are changing “others” (and the culture’s mindset), bringing joy and wisdom, and encouraging hearts toward God’s Kingdom purposes through media, entertainment, art, music, and outstanding leadership. The Influence Women team is cheering you on. Your love and support are inspirational and a testimony to the explosive power of God when we are unified in a community of believers.
Jesus came for “others” – you, me, and the world to know God’s grace and mercy. Mary didn’t hesitate when the angel announced that she would give birth to our Savior, Jesus Christ. She didn’t say, “Why me?” or “I’m not worthy or able.” Her heart was ready and obedient to do anything God asked of her. Her immediate response was, “How will this happen?” Or, in our language today, “I’m in.”
Keep saying “yes” by obeying God and focusing on others! “The joy of the Lord is your strength!”
As friends, members, and partners of Influence Women, we wanted to remind you that we have set up @InfluenceWomenGlobal this year as our social media “mothership” account!
Influence Women is exploding, and this umbrella platform will help you stay connected and updated on what’s happening across our national (and, expectedly soon, international) chapters!
When we grow as a community, our united voice matters. So follow us and comment.
Stay connected to your local chapter group as well!
Hollywood, CA Chapter: @influencewomenhollywood
Orange County, CA Chapter: @influencewomenoc
Atlanta, GA Chapter: @influencewomenatlanta
Nashville, TN Chapter: @influencewomennashville
Houston, TX Chapter: @influencewomenhouston
Baton Rouge, LA Chapter: @influencewomenbatonrouge
Dallas, TX Chapter: @influencewomendallas
Don’t forget to Listen to The Influence Women Podcast!
But we need your help and have a couple of quick asks!
FOLLOW and SHARE. Please follow and share @InfluenceWomenGlobal on Instagram, Facebook, and X.
Instagram: Follow here!
Facebook: Follow here!
X: Follow here!
COMMENT AND SUBSCRIBE. We release a new podcast episode on the second Thursday of each month. Please subscribe to the channel, “like” the video, and, most importantly, leave a quick comment on the episodes when they’re released. This will help YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify algorithms know to recommend our content to more viewers.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@influencewomen
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/influence-women/id1715718111
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6h5WIKM1ANJyWVehzkV5cv?si=bb0632db67354433
Join a local chapter group!
Don’t forget that when you join Influence Women, you also need to become a member of a local chapter on the “community” page on the website. You can leave a note about your recent work, look for a job or place to live, ask an industry professional question, and communicate with members in that city. It’s our private social “netweaving” page!
Our heart is to empower creatives like you to shift culture. Help us expand our reach and voice. Help us communicate Hope to “others.”
We can’t thank you enough for your prayers, time, service, and friendship. As the rush of the Christmas season begins and you reflect on your end-of-year giving, we welcome you to consider a financial donation to The Influence Lab and Influence Women—influencelab.com or influencewomen.org so that we can continue to empower a community of creative artists who want to transform the media to reflect the mind and heart of God.
Now, to God, we give the glory for the great work He has done and will do in 2025!
Have a joyous and blessed Christmas!