INTERVIEW WITH ADRIA WILKINS

by Rita Prochazka and Deborah Malone

Welcome Adria! Can you share some of your testimony?

I was saved at the young age of nine. We had a revival at our church, and I realized one evening after going home that I had never made a decision for Jesus?

I went upstairs and told my parents I wanted to ask Jesus to be in my life. My dad told me about the gospel and how Jesus came into the world and died for us to save us. W

We were born into this world as sinners and to be saved, all we have to do is ask Jesus to come into our hearts. That night I prayed with my dad to make Jesus the Lord of my life.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?

Proverbs 11:25 NIV, A generous person will prosper, whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” I love to encourage and do acts of kindness. It brings me joy!

Briefly, what are some things you have learned in your walk with God in this season of your life?

I have learned to be still, wait, and let God do what He wants in and through my life.

How have you prepared or been prepared for your Ministry?

I grew up a preacher’s kid and then married a Minister of Education. Before my book was published, I attended writer’s conferences to understand what is involved in being an author. I have invested six months of training to become a professional speaker.

Share a time, recently, that you saw God work in your life, either in your ministry or personally.

I really felt like I was supposed to become a speaker in the corporate world but in January this year (2023) God made it clear that I was supposed to continue speaking in faith-based events.

Adria, can you share something about yourself that most people don’t know? It can be a fun fact or serious.

I was a cheerleader and captain of the team when I was in eight and ninth grades. I wanted to be a police officer or work for the FBI.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Getting a book published by a traditional publisher.

Would your story make a good movie?

Yes, because of the life and passing of our three-year-old son, Blake.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I would love to have a second book published and be a full-time speaker.

QUESTIONS BY DEBORAH MALONE

What would be your advice to other “seasoned” women on ways to stay active in ministry?

Give yourself permission to change and do something different in your ministry role. It is okay to start fresh with something new. I like to change things up about every two years in how I serve the church.

Have you ever felt “too old” to be used by God? What made you decide God could still use you?

I have never felt too old. I have been surprised that the average age that women begin to write and speak is age fifty.

What seasoned woman in the Bible is an inspiration to you?

I love the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus. From the angel speaking to her, to giving birth and then knowing what she must have felt when her son was crucified. After losing a child I understand what it feels like to mourn the death of a child.

Tell us a little bit about your ministry.

I enjoy sharing the joy of the Lord at women’s events and providing practical and hands on activities to encourage them to embrace joy no matter what is going on in their lives.

What challenges have you had to overcome in this time of your “seasoned” ministry?

Discouragement has been too close of a friend in the past four months. I am beginning to break free from it with a new perspective that if God wants me to continue to write and speak, He will open the doors for me. I had to learn to be okay to be in a season of waiting for the next event.

Thank you, Adria, for stopping by and sharing with us about your ministry. May you have many more years of encouraging other women to embrace joy in the Lord.

Bio: Multi-award-winning author, Adria Wilkins has an accounting degree from Western Kentucky University. Her book, The Joy Box Journal, with Hachette Book Group released in 2019.

She enjoys telling a story, adding sprinkles of joy and a few extra dollops to liven it up. After suffering the unthinkable – death of three-year-old Blake, she found that joy can be found in any circumstance.

She and her husband, Erik, live in Northern Virginia and have three children Katie, Blake, and Anthony.

Contact Information: http://www.adriawilkins.com; http://www.facebook.com/adria.wilkins; Podcast: Look Out for Joy: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/look-out-for-joy/id1514885636