Today we’d like to introduce you to Joy Pedrow Skarka.
Joy loves creating spaces to bring women freedom. As a doctoral student at Dallas Theological Seminary, Joy studies women, sexuality and shame. She recently married her husband Zack, a fellow DTS student, in her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her blog, JoyPedrow.com, has an average of over 20,000 monthly views and over 2,500 email subscribers. She has published “FREEDOM From Porn For Women” on Bible.com in the YouVersion Bible reading plans with more than 10,000 completions. Joy has also written for the Dallas Theological Seminary Magazine, Bible.org, XXXChurch, FATHOM Mag and Boundless.org. When Joy is not writing, she loves to paint, puzzle and go on adventures with her husband and her friends. You can see more of her work at joypedrow.com or tweet at her @JoyPedrow.
In a world hurting from #metoo and #churchtoo, women need freedom from sexual shame. Our culture believes one can have sex with whomever they want, whenever they want. To help improve sex, our culture encourages couples to turn to pornography. The images young women see in pornography abuse and objectify women, and distort their view of sexuality from God’s perfect design. Young women receive these messages, yet fail to hear the church give a shame-free response. Most commonly, churches say “just don’t do it,” instead of teaching a theology of sex and pointing them to the grace of God. Because no one talks about it, young women fail to understand that sexuality outside of God’s design will hurt their sexuality and spirituality. Instead of living a pure life, they turn to sexual sin and as a result experience sexual shame. This creates a vicious cycle of sin and hopelessness.
Joy Pedrow Ministries desires to create spaces to bring women freedom. Joy speaks through her story of struggling with promiscuity, sexual abuse, sexual addictions and shame. She explains how only through Jesus did she find freedom from the chains of sexual shame. She also speaks through the lens of scripture. As a Dallas Theological Seminary graduate, Joy values her theological training and longs to free women through the power of God’s Word. Daily, Joy receives emails from her readers who struggle with sexual issues. Most people fear to talk about taboo subjects, but Joy never strays from hard conversations because women need freedom. Joy wants to share her story of freedom from sexual shame first, so others can go second.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Nope! On the third day of my freshman year of college, I was raped in an apartment on campus. I became depressed and I struggled blaming myself for the abuse. I thought about God. Was he there? Did he let this happen? Was he mad at me? Was this my fault? Why did this happen to me? That night I lost my virginity, I felt completely broken and worthless. I believed God would never love me again. I hated my body. I hated my self.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Joy Pedrow Ministries story. Tell us more about the business.
In September 2013, I launched Joy Pedrow ministries with the goal to lead women to Jesus.
Our mission: JP Ministries creates spaces to bring women freedom.
I do this through writing (my blog and around the internet), speaking engagements, workshops, and meet up groups.
I am currently writing a book about women and sexual shame. Most people fear talking about taboo subjects, but I never stray from hard conversations because women need freedom. My ministry is very authentic and vulnerable, we do not put up a fake face.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I wouldn’t use the word luck, I would say I’ve been blessed. God has taken the tragedies of my life and has used them for his good. God uses my story for his glory and in the process, other women find freedom and healing. I feel blessed to be a part of this.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://joypedrow.com
- Email: joypedrow@gmail.com
- Instagram: joypedrow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joypedrow/
- Twitter: @joypedrow
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
