In a world where faith is often challenged and bold Christianity can attract fierce criticism, Angela Halili and Arielle Reitsma—better known as the duo behind Girls Gone Bible—are standing firm in their calling to lift high the name of Jesus. With raw testimonies, honest conversations and an unshakeable reliance on Christ, these two young women are using their platform to remind a generation that Jesus alone is the answer.
In an interview with the 700 Club Interactive, Halili and Reitsma talked about how God connected them as friends, and how they handle backlash from skeptics online.
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Before their lives intersected, each walked a lonely road with God. “I had really fallen in love with Jesus on my own without community,” Halili shares. Reitsma, meanwhile, met Jesus during a time of deep depression. “I would just sit for like five, six hours a day and just cry out to Him. It was the only place I felt relief.”
When they met on a job set, Halili noticed Reitsma crying quietly in a corner and felt led to reach out. “I don’t know who you are, but we’ll get through this together,” she told her. That moment sparked a friendship that became the foundation for Girls Gone Bible. “Our friendship was just built on this—following Jesus and learning about Jesus and falling in love with Jesus.”
Since launching the podcast, the two have become familiar with both encouragement and criticism. When asked how they’ve handled the hate, Reitsma admits, “I don’t know why that made me emotional… I think the scripture that says, ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted’—if you are persecuted for My name, you are actually blessed.” She continues, “There are people in the world who actually never receive the blessing of being persecuted for Jesus.” Halili adds, “We’re not persecuted the way the church is in other countries. We have it easy in comparison.”
Still, the backlash hasn’t been without its emotional toll. “We meet girls who say, ‘I come from such a dark past… and because I saw you guys come from such a past, I now feel safe,’” Reitsma says. “So anytime I hear that, I’m like, it’s worth it.”
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In a culture quick to judge and slow to understand, Girls Gone Bible stands as a testament to the transforming power of authentic faith. This has become a platform to wage spiritual war against shame, hopelessness and religious performance with lives laid bare before God.
Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
