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Lighting the WayOur mission at Wise Virgins Ministries (WVM) is to support women, strengthen families and build communities. We provide the encouragement to progress educationally, economically, and socially as potential spouses, mothers, friends, and employees. The Parable of the Ten Virgins is a lesson in being ever prepared for the ultimate return of Christ. We are a Detroit-based non-profit organization, this parable is the foundation upon which we base our services and programs. We prepare women for such a time as this as well as in being wise in the handling of the daily struggles they may face. Reports have shown that the often, distressing conditions existing in urban communities hinder the good lives that women can have. A few of the latest startling statistics make this clear: • In 2000, Detroit’s unemployment rate was 7.8 percent versus the State of Michigan and national rates of 3.7 percent (U. S. Census Bureau) • In 2004, Detroit female heads of household, (no husband present) numbered 34 percent of total households (309,725) with 59 percent reporting children under the age of 18 living at home (American Community Survey) The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five of them were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves. But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir! they said, ‘Open the door for us!’ But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” |
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