Three Questions is a semi-regular series introducing individuals across the NAB by asking them about their story, their ministry, and what they are learning. These features on members of our NAB family also provide great opportunities to pray for them as we get to know more of their story. This week, we hear from Adrienne Jang, a member of the NAB Governing Board and a member of Cornerstone Trinity Excelsior (CTX) Church in San Francisco, California.
What’s your story?
God saved me when my dad dropped me off at church alone one Sunday when I was in middle school; he didn’t know what else to do when I was caught shoplifting at the mall with my friends. I was a relatively obedient, oldest daughter in a typical Chinese-American household in San Francisco, California, but I didn’t grow up in a Christian family and simply lacked a strong moral compass. I walked into Sunday School, and the rest is history. Grounded and barred from seeing my friends, the community and structure of the youth program were just what I needed. A relationship with Jesus sounded foreign yet interesting, and I set off on a path of knowing him more from that point on.
The rest is a typical youth group experience with all the awkwardness, laughs, memories, relationships, and drama of growing from a teenager into adulthood in a family church setting. I’m thankful that on that roller coaster ride he transformed my heart, strengthened my faith, and somehow placed a burden in my heart to seek him first and his Kingdom above all else. By the time I graduated from college, I knew I wouldn’t know what life would look like but I promised myself I would follow God to the fullest, whatever that looked like.
“Whatever that looked like” turned out to be one of my greatest blessings, because God filled in those blanks far better than I could have ever imagined. I could take the credit for staying at church that day in middle school or making certain decisions, but I look back and see God’s sovereign hand every step of the way. In San Francisco, I started my State Farm Insurance agency when I was 25, and I have now been married for twenty-three years and have two teenage daughters. Ministry has ranged from directing youth choir to teaching Sunday School to leading children and adult small groups. Fifteen years ago, my husband, along with three others, started a nonprofit in Southeast Asia that established a children’s home – English Learning Center – and college ministry. Eight years ago, my husband was asked by our home church to plant a church, and we have had our hands full since! Whether it’s been my business or my husband’s ministry overseas, it’s always been a partnership that involves both of us wholeheartedly as a family. I’m humbled and amazed when I see how God determined my steps and connected the dots of my story.
What’s ministry like for you?
Planting and leading a church calls me to fill many roles and step in and step up wherever I’m needed. Officially, I lead the children’s program, a small group, outreach ministry, and social media, and I serve on the leadership team. Unofficially, I see my ministry at CTX Church as modeling what we are trying to preach by participating generously in community, pouring into our people by meeting up one-on-one, sharing my life by occasionally speaking or leading workshops, and continually reflecting on whether every aspect of our church upholds our vision and mission. Though my work ranges from toddlers to adults and from inside the church to nonbelievers, the approach is the same: boldly embracing that we are children of God, ambassadors of Christ, placed in our particular spheres in this given time, with our current set of resources and talents, in our specific season. Through the power of the Spirit, we can point others to God in the way they are best able to receive it – whether young or old, inside the church community or outside the four walls.
Outside of church ministry, raising my two teenage daughters and doing my best to disciple them well is a joyful, challenging, and intense labor of love! Additionally, I set aside time to volunteer at outside organizations to continue creating space for God to surprise me and broaden my scope. Most recently, I joined the Governing Board of the NAB, and it’s been a blessing to serve God in this capacity.
What are you learning?
I was struck the other day with the realization that God calls me to simply be with the people he has called me to – to walk alongside them, enjoy them, and show grace as he does, and to have gratitude for the opportunity that is already in my midst. Oftentimes, I am planning and thinking of where God is leading next and asking whether I am doing what he wants. While consulting God is important and good, I sometimes need to be fully present in the opportunity before me and be immersed in the wonder of God’s current provision and tasking. I already am a “stop and smell the roses” type person and someone who enjoys being in the moment, but God revealed in my heart that there are times I don’t need to look any further. There is room to be struck with awe and spiritually prostrate before his presence.
What a blessing it is to be part of the great North American Baptist Conference community. Would you please take a moment to pray for Adrienne Jang, as well as CTX Church and the Governing Board?