Paul Calvert talks to Madleine Sara, professor at Bethlehem Bible College, about founding A Pot In His Hand Ministries, and the challenges facing women in Arab culture.

In the past we saw that the age of marriage among Arab women was very low but now it's in the mid 20's. In the past they would have been in their teens, but now you see more women are pursuing their degrees. This is why I said that when women leave the house, their minds expand with what they see and what they are exposed to.

When they are exposed to these things they become more aware and are able to see that they need help. They come to the counselling, to the workshops and the lectures because it really interests them, but at the same time creates more awareness of their needs and how they could be fulfilled in their lives and what they can do to achieve this.

Paul: What sort of things do you discuss in the seminars?

Madleine: Relationship things. Healthy relationships with myself and healthy relationships with the other.

At the same time we discuss how to develop the leader inside.

You could say "Not every person is a leader," but I disagree, because every person could be a leader somewhere, like the house or a small group. Leading doesn't mean you need to be in a professional place, it's more to do with having a vision, and being an agent of change. In that sense everyone has to have this desire, to be an agent of change, if not for the whole society, or for a wider effect, it could be for their family, their kids, and the people they care for.

Paul: What sort of things do you publish in your magazine?

Madleine: In the magazine, the topics are similar to what we discuss in seminars.

At the same time one of the targets of this magazine is to create a platform for women who have talents and they are doing something in society, but are not recognised or known. I want to see that the magazine exposes these women and creates a place for them where their voices can be heard.

The magazine is written by women, but we have a part in the magazine called a males voice. In that part, every time we choose a man it's because we know he is supportive and is effective and is already active in society to give a message to women.

I as a woman would tell women we need to step out and rise up, but because it's coming from a woman I think it will always stay limited. Women need to hear that from a man who believes in them.

This is very important because women are not receiving support on a daily basis and hearing that male voice. So I wanted that to be available for them to say "Oh there are men that really believe in us and support us."

Paul: Why do you do what you do?

Madleine: It's my passion. I believe that the Lord had this dream and this vision in me, and I believe the same for every person, and every woman. I believe that God has a special plan for her.