NAOBC For Life Spotlight – Jennifer Ireland
When you are a member at NAOBC, no matter where God takes you, the love for NAOBC remains. It’s part of your DNA. Periodically we’ll spotlight women who were former members – see where they are today and what NAOBC means to them. Today we’re meeting Jennifer Ireland.
Q: Tell a little about yourself – family, occupation (if applicable), etc.
I have been married to Chad for 19.5 years. We have five kids. Our oldest, Collin, 15, was born during our time at NAOBC. Ainsley (13), Eli (10), Noah (8), and Hannah (4) were born in Georgia. My days are spent homeschooling three of the kids, chauffeuring them to sports and activities, and keeping our household running. I’ve enjoyed opportunities to teach children and women at our church, Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Atlanta.
Q: When did you attend NAOBC? What brought you to NAOBC?
A: Chad and I were members of NAOBC from 2003 until 2008, and then moved to the Atlanta area. We originally moved to Louisville to attend Southern Seminary. After visiting a handful of churches in Louisville, we decided to make NAOBC our church home!
Q: Where did you serve while at NAOBC?
A: One of my first places of service was in the children’s ministry and AWANA. It was a wonderful opportunity to get to know the families of the church, and many of those children moved into the student ministry when we served in that capacity. Most of our time at NAOBC was serving in the student ministry; discipling, connecting with families, building relationships with other youth workers, and participating in many activities with the teenagers. There were a lot of fun memories and we met many special people that we remain connected to today.
Q: What memory from your time at NAOBC means the most to you still today?
A: I mentioned above the many fun (and sweet) memories of our time serving families. We also had a season of attending a young couples’ Sunday school class. One of the most impactful memories for me, came not from the happy times, but it was when I saw the church love and care for another young couple during a time of suffering. It showed me what it meant to walk with others in a time of grief, serving practically and caring spiritually for other brothers and sisters in Christ. It was a memory that came to life during my own season of grief.
Q: What is one thing you loved about NAOBC?
A: You asked for one but I have to pick two! One: The preaching. It was the first time I regularly sat under expositional preaching and teaching. It was formative for my personal Bible study, and set a standard from that time forward. Being fed the Word with authority but also humility was transformational. Second: The influence of the families we served in student ministry. Partnering with parents; seeing them evangelize and disciple their children, living life alongside them, was formative for Chad and I as we began our own family. It was a joy to be a part of one another’s lives for that season.
