We'd like to introduce you to Adina Brown, wife of 12-years to Nathanael (better known as Than, Pastor of Life Groups). Adina and Than have 2 sons. David is 15, and has been raised by Than, as his Father. Conner is 9-years-old.
Adina serves as part-time Grief Ministry Coordinator at Beltway. Her passion for offering hope and healing, in Jesus, to others experiencing grief is born out of her own loss of her mom 22 years ago, followed by her first husband 15 years ago. Adina's testimony of God's love and faithfulness has equipped her to serve others and usher them into greater depths of healing. She describes her journey as such:
15 years ago, I was a stay-at-home wife, pregnant with our first child. All I'd ever longed to be was a wife, mom, and homemaker, and suddenly my dreams were shattered right before me when my husband, who was struggling with depression, committed suicide. My whole identity changed at that time, and I would no longer be a wife and a parent, but a single mom. The journey was long, as I grieved the love of my life, gave birth to David, my oldest son, without a husband by my side, and became a parent in the midst of my grief. In taking it one day at a time, which is really all we are promised, the Lord gave me strength and supplied all my needs. The body of Christ around me was incredible in meeting some of our basic needs, as well as those who loved me just as I was, and walked along side of me to be the hands and feet of Christ, even to David. I did have a choice whether to heal or get stuck in the pit of darkness and bitterness. I was determined that I did not want depression to continue in our family and sought freedom for us. The Lord was faithful to supply all my needs in so many ways - physically, spiritually, and emotionally. As I learned to depend on Him for everything, He built my faith and drew me close to Him like I'd never been before. As my faith grew, He did the impossible in me, and healed my heart and turned my mourning into dancing. He also revealed His heart and vision for me, and brought another man into my life to love again. That man, whom I now have been married to for 12 years, has been an incredible blessing in my life, as well as a fabulous father to David.
Out of her ashes, the Lord has brought something beautiful, indeed!!
Adina is passionate about spending time with Jesus, worshiping and hearing from Him, growing in His word, and sharing those experiences with others. She wakes up early every morning, to meet with Him on an intimate level, inviting Him to speak to her heart, revealing things that need to be dealt with, confessing and repenting, and asking for His grace to walk in freedom, as she applies His truths. In this way, while also surrounding herself with a few close friends who will speak (sometimes hard) truth into her life, Adina walks out her freedom in Christ.
Adina loves and cares deeply for people, and she is energized by being with people. "I purpose to make my home a place that is welcoming to my family, caring for their needs, as well as it being a place of honor and peace, as we nurture our boys up in the Lord. I love being a wife to Than, spending time with him, and encouraging him in his role as a pastor and Shepherd. He is my best friend, companion, help mate, and lover, and we enjoy each other."
She operates in the spiritual gifts of Shepherding, Teaching, and Encouraging in the home, as she grows her boys up in the Lord, teaching them how to love Jesus and how to live in the world, but not of it. She also has spiritual gifts of Hospitality, Mercy, Serving, and Help, which she uses in any practical way to which the Lord leads her, such as welcoming people in her home, offering a meal, or listening over a cup of coffee and praying for someone.
In order to relax or decompress, Adina sometimes journals. She also makes a habit of laying her burdens at Jesus's feet. "I love to visualize our Big God, holding the world in His hands, while remembering His promise that nothing is impossible with Him. As I focus on how big He is, often, the stress and details of life come into perspective and realign themselves."
Some of Adina's favorite hobbies include digital scrapbooking and preserving her family's memories, playing games with family and friends, sewing, and baking.
One thing we can certainly learn from Adina is the lifestyle of worship and fellowship with Jesus. It is evident that she seeks Him first, in all circumstances, whether to give praise, or seek refuge. Her first and foremost passion is "To love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love others as He does." As there is so much more still to learn from this amazing woman of God, we hope you will join us for "Let's Get Together" this Thursday, September 26 at 6:30p.m, to get to know her a little better!!
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