A Life-Long Love for the Church - Gina Green

[00:00:01] Speaker A: Welcome to the Arkansas Baptist Women Podcast. On this season we will talk about the beauty of belonging to a gospel centered, like minded community that shapes and encourages us to love God and to be present in our calling. [00:00:12] Speaker B: We are excited to sit down with different women from all stages of life and hear what God is doing in their life in an area of ministry that God has called them to join us as we find encouragement in the work and presence of God as he is reflected through casual conversation around coffee and authenticity. [00:00:30] Speaker A: Hey. We are back today with a friend to hear about her current season of ministry and how she is present and obedient in her calling. And so today we have got on with us Gina Green. [00:00:43] Speaker B: Yes, I have gotten to know Ms. Gina Green for the last, I mean math since 2017. And so we got to work together while we were both at cross church first season. And so we are so glad that she is here with us today. So welcome Ms. Gina. [00:00:59] Speaker C: So thank you. This is exciting. [00:01:01] Speaker B: We're so excited that you're here. So first just tell our listeners like a little bit about you. Tell us about your life, your work history. I mean you're retired now, but just kind of about your life, your family, all that good stuff. Let us know about you. [00:01:15] Speaker C: All right. Well, I am, I'm married to my husband Tom and we will be celebrating 45 years here at the end of May. That's so fun. So we live in northwest Arkansas. This is actually my third time to live here. My father was a pastor and so he pastored here in Fayetteville when I was in elementary school. And then we moved away and I came back to go to college and that's where Tom and I met and kind of started our life and family and all that together. And then we his, his career took us all over the country. And so when he retired, we said our kids are scattered everywhere. We can go live anywhere we want to. And so northwest Arkansas was hands down our, our choice. So, so yeah, we've been back since 2017 and I thought I was retired and then jumped back into ministry, which I'd been doing church ministry for quite some time. That's a whole nother. My education was teaching. I did that before kids. And then the Lord just always guided me into church ministry. So that was pretty exciting. But we have three kids grown and flown and my oldest and his wife live in College Station, Texas. And my middle child, son lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. So that's quite the hall out that way. And then my baby girl, the only girl, baby girl and her husband live in northern Iowa. And most importantly, they have my grandson Jack, who just turned two. And so that's been a. That's been a joy in life. [00:03:08] Speaker B: That's crazy that he's too. That's so fun. I know as we're kind of getting to know you and our listeners are getting to know you a little bit. Tell us about a mentor in your life that's had an impact on you. [00:03:21] Speaker C: Oh, you know, I have been so blessed, I think initially. And part of my story is growing up in a pastor's home. I always, I always knew about God, Jesus, you know, my need for him. And I came to that saving knowledge, you know, at a pretty young age. But as I got older, I pushed against a lot of probably more rules and things I didn't understand. But some of that got wrapped up in my faith. And so probably the first, first person or actually couple that kind of intervened was a youth pastor that came to be on my dad's staff in Houston. And they just, they just kind of took me in and they answered my questions and I loved music and so they exposed me to this Jesus music that I didn't know anything about. And so that was great. And the funny thing was that they, they followed my dad from that pastorate to a pastorate in southern Arkansas. And so he was my youth slash college pastor there. And then they came to Fayetteville. I said, are you following me to make sure so. And his wife is still just a really important part of my life. And so I treasure that. But probably the next thing was when I came to college, I gravitated back to the church that my pat dad pastored when I was in elementary school. And it was a pretty small congregation and so there was a group. Our women's ministry was everything from the 18 year old college student to the 80 year old, you know, grandma. And that was just such a rich season. Those, those women taught me how to love my husband before I had one, how to love my children before I had any. Because I just, I watched and observed them and just taught me how to love the Lord. We did Bible studies and so that rich wisdom and knowledge was amazing. But they taught me practical things too. There is not a day that I don't cut into an avocado that I remember the lady that showed me how to first cut into an avocado. So those were, those were just precious. And, you know, I just, I look back, I've, you know, a long life and lots of places that we've moved to and so God has just been, been so, so good to give me friends. That kind of just helped sharpen my, my walk and my faith. And so I just, I look back on all that and even to this day, now that I'm an older woman, it's kind of hard to find those people that are older. But I have peers and I watch them. There's, there's, there's a gal who, since I've come, she was recently widowed when I first moved into the area. And so I watch her and see how, how is she walking through widow and just watching some of my friends and interacting with them and see how they do life, how they do grandparenting. I'm a new grandma at this and so I get to watch them and kind of learn from them. So just truly blessed with lots of people in my life. [00:06:43] Speaker B: Yeah, your friend group that you have is the best. Y' all are all just the greatest women I know. [00:06:48] Speaker A: Yeah, I love that. That's so good to hear. So now, as you're a new grandparent, as you've entered into the season of retirement, what would you say God's teaching you in this season? [00:07:02] Speaker C: Oh, I tell you, you know, all the things I thought of when, you know, when I was working, like if I had more time, I would do this, I would do this, you know, whatever. And now I have a lot of time and I find out I don't use it as wisely as I because there's so much of it. So you think, oh, I'll get to that or I'll do that or whatever. And there's so many opportunities and I am a go girl. I want to be in the stuff. I want to, you know, I fear of missing out is a big thing. And so I would say yes to everything, but I have, but I've learned I need to really use that time wisely and not fritter it away, not waste it away. And so I want to be real, I want to be real intentional with my time and not, you know, not waste it. I didn't want retirement to be real self absorbed. I retired for a couple purposes. My, my parents were here and they were needing some more hands on care. They were in a facility, but I just needed to be there. And my husband had been retired for several years and so it was kind of time to spend some time with him and not give him the leftovers of my day. And I wanted to develop deeper friendships and so I kind of, I use that even today. My parents have both passed, so that's you know, that's not high on there, but, you know, to be with my husband and spend time with him and to develop friends and then to use my gifts and what does that look like outside of out of retirement? So really got the thing that God is teaching me is I had my list and my plans, and he kind of turned those upside down. You know, I thought I was going to be taking care of my parents. Well, my dad died as I was retiring. Hannah remembers that time. And then six months later, my mom was gone. And during that time I got a cancer diagnosis. And so that was not the retirement I chose or how I wanted to do that. And, and those times just taught me to dig deeper into God and to trust him and his timing and his faithfulness. And so that is still true. I've. I've just had some opportunities and I've just said, you know, Lord, I'm going to say yes at what you bring my way and not try to second guess it and not, you know, so anyway, he's just, he's been good with that. But I have to keep walking in that way just to know that time is precious and he's still got uses for me. [00:09:45] Speaker A: Yeah, that is so encouraging. What would you say are a couple of your daily or weekly rhythms with God? [00:09:54] Speaker C: You know, again, because of that abundance of time, I think I have sometimes it's easier to say, oh, you know, I'll get to that later. I'll do that later. And I've never been a morning person, so you're not going to find me at 5am I admire those people very much, but that's not going to be me. I need my brain to wake up. I need my coffee. But I do know if I don't put that in early, it gets squeezed out. So that might be a walk with scripture going in my ear. I have a place that's probably one of the best rhythms, if you will. I have a place. Well, I just got new furniture, and so it was highly important to me that my chair be, you know, very similar because that's my space. And I know when I come in, if I haven't done that, I look there and I know this is, you know, oh, I need to. I need to come sit and meet with God. And so that's. That's a rhythm, if you will, is having a place. I joked about technology and my being able to keep up with it, but there are some things I love to have. Scripture. I have a reading plan that comes to me and reminds me when I need to do it. And I'm in a group chat with. I do Bible recap, and I'm in a group with that. And so it's fun to see what someone else has gotten out of scripture that day. And so that's a little. Keeping me on track too. But yeah, just, just some things like that in my working and even in a busy time, I still have on there. I have a pause app that reminds me a couple of times a day just to kind of sit down. And it's, it's kind of a meditation. You can pick a minute or five. It's based in scripture, and so that's good. Sometimes when life is crazy, just again, a little tap on the shoulder to say, hey, sit down, calm down, take a chill. [00:11:56] Speaker A: Good. Yes. [00:11:57] Speaker B: Are you, like, reading any books right now or listening to any podcast that you would say, like, okay, yeah, this is like, the Lord's using this in my life right now. [00:12:05] Speaker C: Oh, I, you know, I fell into podcast a few years ago maybe when they. I don't probably, probably pandemic kind of time, you know, and so I'm loving that. I do, I love to read. Hannah and I would often swap out, you know, what we're reading, book recommendations, a dark side. I like, like true crime and mystery and that kind of thing. But, you know, that, that can't feed your soul all the time. So. And I've got into audio books. I never thought I was much of an audio kind of learner or whatever, but I do that, except for if it's, if it's nonfiction, I'm going to want to write in that book and mark it all up. So I, I need the book. Book lots, lots of things. I find myself now and not in. In ret. Doing so much. I think before I did a lot of time management things and leadership things. But it's funny. Kristen mentioned this on your, on your podcast. We're reading the same book. I didn't know, we didn't talk about it at lunch when we met the other day. And so I said, all right, we've got to go. We got to have a book club. On A Fine Sight to See by Sophie Hudson. So that's a great book on leadership. So I don't do as much of that as I used to, but that's fun. I took a trip with a friend and I downloaded a Melissa Radke, who is kind of a Christian comedian speaker. So she has, she has a book out called Chicken Fried Women, and I love it because she's talking about women in her life and her family. But she says, you know, they're. They're crispy on the outside, but they're tender on the inside. And so it was just a laugh out loud kind of book we listened to on the way to a trip. And so I like to do things that just kind of make me laugh and feed my soul. And. And my stack of books to be read is kind of insane, so I can't just say, you know, one or the other. I have a big list of books to be read, and. And it's. It's. I like to read about relationships, whether that's fiction or nonfiction. And so I've had a couple of good ones. Sophie Hudson book that I mentioned. And then she has a podcast with another gal, Melanie Shankel, and she just released a really great book called Here Be Dragons. And it came out of writing when her daughter was going through some mean girl stuff, and she realized that the mean girl in her life was her mom. And so she talks about relationships. And when, you know, how do you walk through that and even have to put up, you know, some barriers for, you know, some bad behavior? And it was not my experience, but so good to hear, because I know there, you know, there's a lot of women who walk through that that didn't have childhoods that were, you know, fulfilling or encouraging. And so that was. That's a recent book. I, I just, I. I listened to it, too, because it was Melanie's voice. And I'm so used to listening to her podcast. It was fun to hear her read it. [00:15:20] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:15:21] Speaker A: That's awesome, Gina. It's been, I guess, two times now that someone has said, other than Kristen, that A Fine Sight to See is a really good book. And one of my mentors, probably six months ago, dropped that book by my house with some other stuff. And, you know, just in a season of, you know, motherhood, busyness. I've not gotten a chance to read it, but it's making me want to pick up this book and read it. [00:15:47] Speaker C: Well, I just started. I just got started, so I'm not all the way through it, but I've heard her talk about it quite a bit, and I know what the concept is. And. And she's also just someone who will make you laugh out loud, whether you're listening to the book or reading it. She's. She's got just some of those fun Southern, Southern sound and words and phrases that make you laugh. [00:16:12] Speaker A: Yes. Well, I look forward to reading it. Okay, so tell our listeners or let us Peer into a little bit of the different roles that you've had over the past couple of years or decades of life and ministry and how you've seen God use that for kingdom impact. [00:16:32] Speaker C: Yeah. Yeah. As you know, as we said before, I. I grew up in a pastor's home, and I so appreciated that my parents never put on me the burden of you have to act a certain way because you're the preacher's kid. I'm a firstborn, and so I put a lot of pressure on myself, naturally. But what that did, I mean, it gave me. I felt very confident, very encouraged in my family, but also it gave me just such a deep love for the local church. And I saw the good, bad, and the ugly because, you know, dinner time you're talking about, you know, what's not going great and in the church building, and. But it just gave me a deep love for the church, and so that's always followed me through. Like I said, when I came to college, I gravitated back to that church that my. My dad had pastored, and they had. They had a really great college ministry, and so I found opportunity to serve in that. And that's probably where I first had someone say that I had some leadership skills, and so, you know, to be able to use that in the college ministry in that church. And again, also women that were, you know, pouring into me and just showing me how to do life, because that was. I came back at 18. I said, you know, I want to. I believe what I believe because I believe it not, because this is what was taught to me. And so I really purposed to live and walk after. After Jesus. And, you know, that just transformed my whole. My whole life from there. So those early leadership and people just pouring into me. I taught school before I had kids. And then we purposed that we would live on one income so that when kids came along, I would have the option to stay home. I didn't know if I wanted to stay home because I had always worked, and I didn't know what that, you know, that first baby was going to be like, but I stayed home. And then my husband's career started moving us around the country. And so I was so glad to have those years and time at home with my kids, but it also gave me freedom. Our first move was out to South Georgia, away from family, and again found a church community and some other people, other young moms, and we just kind of banded together and did Bible study. And one of them would watch the kids at their house while the rest of us Bible study that we would take turns doing that and so developing then some. Some teaching, leading skills. And also just love for one of the. One of the gals there. When you talk about mentors, I never thought of her as a mentor as much as a friend, but she was a little. A little older than me in. In parenting. And she would be the one to say, your anniversary's coming up. I'm going to take the kids. Y' all go do something. Because we didn't have family there. And so I saw how other people really poured into. And you love in word and deed. You do it. You don't just say it. And so those were really growing years. And I've always been attracted to and involved in women's ministry just because I love women. And I think we're just all, like, great people. And I'm interested in all of all shapes, sizes, ages. It's just. I love connecting that way. So those gave me an opportunity. And it wasn't then until we moved to Georgia because I'd been a teacher, the plan was I was also the college fund. And so when the youngest child went to school, I was going to go back into the workforce and save up money for college. And the Lord had different plans. And the first move, where the kids were in school, I thought I would be teaching. And that didn't happen. And actually I was serving in the church where we were, and we were involved in awanas at that church. And so one of the other gals and I had the fifth and sixth grade girls. And we were just like, you know, this is a great program in a lot of ways, but we don't think it's really reaching these girls where they're at. And so she and I sat down and wrote curriculum to do with those girls in addition to their scripture memory stuff. And so that was. That was an opportunity for me to flex some of those muscles about writing and putting, you know, putting a lesson together. And so those were great opportunities. And then I became the children's ministry director at that church. And so I was just faithful to give me. To give me opportunities along the way when, you know, I just. I had the time and availability, and I walked into that children's ministry job, like, scared, and they had not had one before. And so they're like, we'll figure this out together. And so they were gracious to me as I. As I learned because, you know, leadership skills, you know, you. Sometimes you learn from your mistakes as much as you do from. From. From good things. So, so that just kind of started my church ministry. And every time I tried to go back into teaching and the. I have teaching certificates in four states and I'm not taught in any of them now because the Lord just kept saying, you know, this is a place for you. And the same. When we retired and moved to northwest Arkansas, job there at Cross Church opened up. And by then I had kind of seen that my administrative skills were of great use and I saw that as a ministry. I never saw myself, you know, just as the church secretary, but what I did enabled the other staff to do what they were called to do. And so I just, I appreciated all those, all those opportunities. And so those are all the roles I guess I've had. And then mom, all along the way, I thought starting out, having babies that, you know, they're 18 and they're out of the house and you're done. One of our teaching pastors just, just talked about, actually you're probably not really done till they're about 30. So I can say I'm really done. But, you know, our role shifts. And I love nothing more than hearing my kids. They all did the right thing. Mother's Day was just the, you know, last Sunday. And they all called, so they all get a star by their name. But I love it when they call just to say what's going on or checking in on me. I recently did a teaching with our women and my daughter called several times. How's it going? How's your studying going? How's your writing going? And so that's just so sweet now to be in that role of life. And even though I don't get to see my grandson all the time, just learning how to, you know, how to encourage his parents and to love on him when I do get to see him. And so, yeah, I'm just blessed with where God has put me all along the way. [00:24:20] Speaker B: You've lived a lot of lives. I feel like you've gotten to have just like so many different opportunities, which honestly kind of leads into this next couple question. Like, how did you see the Lord meet you in this season of transition from when you did have a house full of kids to then becoming an empty nester to your kids being spread all across the country. Like how? Because I mean, that's probably at the beginning of that, that probably was not easy. So how do you feel like the Lord met you in that season of when that was starting? Because there could be listeners right now that they are about to enter the emptiness and empty nest season or Their kids going off to college for the first time. So how did you like navigate that? [00:25:00] Speaker C: Because my kids were three and a half years apart. They kind of trickled out. So I guess a little bit at a time, you know, that you get used to that. But when the last one was to leave and, and you know, she's, she's the baby, she's the girl, you know, I, that's when I kind of started becoming like, you know, what am I going to do with myself? And I was, I was working at that time, time. But I also again back to that, back to that group of friends who just encouraged me and some of them had had kids leave home. So again I saw that and so the Lord was faithful just to give me witness to how other people survived that. Some of it I think also is early on we knew our kids could not be the main thing in our life, that there would be a time that they would go. And so we wanted to make sure our marriage was strong. We wanted to make sure that how we ministered in our church and community was strong. So that when they left and we wanted to launch them. Well, some of them took a little time to launch well, but we wanted to launch them well, but we also knew that there would be life after, you know, after they left. And so that probably wasn't as difficult as the transition for me to retire. I really, I loved working. I loved, you know, where, where we were, but was obedient in that and, and probably for me it was. And this may also, you know, be true for the one who's leaving an empty nest. I had to deal with who am I apart from this job, whether it was mothering or whether it was working. And so I was a little fearful about that. Like, you know, that's how I was known or that's what I was used to. And what would that look like later? And again, God was just very faithful to say, I'm not done with you yet. Especially during a cancer diagnosis. And I thought, is, is, is this it? You know, am I, am I going to get to see grandchildren? And at that point there weren't any. And so the, the next year, I mean God, God gave me a daughter in law, he gave me a grandson. It's just, you know, so he just really redeemed those. But I had, I had to trust him and trust what he had. And, and, and he was clear to say, I'm not done with you yet. And so I just wanted to be available and obedient to him. [00:27:37] Speaker B: That's Good. [00:27:38] Speaker A: That is so good. So over decades of ministry and just your life, God has used so many different experiences and just his word, obviously, to just shape who you are from your ministry and also just your giftings. And I hear that you sought out to be a teacher, but then you found yourself as a children's minister now serving in other capacities in the church to writing material, pioneering things that you never, I think, thought you would be pioneering. But also the way that you have seemed to be so present in just these relationships, God has planted you in and around. And so what would you say to the woman or to the listener that may have now in a season of life, that she's got time schedules, flexible. How would she or how would you encourage her to utilize the time and flexibility, but she is unsure where to start? [00:28:36] Speaker C: Well, and I think some of that goes to, like I said, I had people building and building into me and helping develop. But I think one pivotal moment in my life was when I growing up the church of origin. I didn't really hear about spiritual gifts. And so, you know, I knew things I was good at, but. But I didn't really, you know, understand that on a spiritual level. And so that was. That was really transformational for me to walk through a study where, you know, I learned what those giftings were. And so I would, you know, I would say to that person, first of all, you know, if you're not in a church that teaches that or you don't have a group of friends that can help you see what that is, that's. That's so helpful because that directs you and that helps you say no to the things that, you know, just aren't. I'm also, because I'm firstborn, I think I need to be involved in everything. And so that helped me filter out, you know, that's. That's really not. That's really not something for me that probably someone with the gift of mercy needs to be in that position. And so it helps me also just say, you know, be able to say no to things because God may have somebody else for that place. So that's what I would say, first of all, is examine, you know, where your. Where your gifting is. And. And the other pivotal, transformational, I think, study in my life was experiencing God. I hear they've come out with, like, an updated version, so I'm really interested to. To see that and see what it looks like. But this was back in the dark ages when I did it, the probably, you know, first edition. [00:30:25] Speaker A: And I think the covers Change. I think it's like they went with like a teal. Is it or what? [00:30:30] Speaker C: It's. [00:30:30] Speaker A: Am I wrong? [00:30:31] Speaker B: Thomas and I did it right when we were like moving. But the cover's pretty. It's very cute and trendy. [00:30:38] Speaker C: Yes, yes. It was kind of scary before. It was like dark maroon Moses or somebody on the front, I don't know, intimidating. But it was transformational in that. And one of the concepts and it's just followed me through life is God is at work and he's invited me to join him in. And being a list maker and kind of a planner, I just need to sit back and trust God. And I. And that's where I am right now too is the things I thought was going to happen in retirement have not. And so just to sit back and watch and ask God where is it you want me? And then to combine that with what your passions are and your giftings are. And God is faithful. He will show you what he has. And I love it that he doesn't cookie cutter people. And so it doesn't have to look like you know what your friend does. And he's just been so good for that for this season. Most recently, the. The first thing I said yes to was, was kind of a scary. We had not done live teaching. We had done predominantly for our women's ministry. We've done predominantly video led things. And so I was asked to do a live teaching, kind of a wrap up. And so I was like, okay, I'm okay with that. But in saying yes to that, that opened other doors. And honestly, and I was telling a friend this yesterday, I'm just amazed at what God is bringing my way even to be able to be with you today. And just things that I never even thought possible. But I think that's just from saying yes. And I said it kind of scared because the other thing that followed up with that was can you take this eight week study of Ecclesiastes and adapt it down to four weeks and teach it live to our women? And I'm like ecclesiastes, really? And so, you know, you say yes and you may say yes, scared. But I'm scared on my side of things. I'm not scared on the side of things where I know I can trust God and he's going to be good, you know. And so that's what I would say to the woman who is looking, whether she has time or she just wants to serve. You know, find out how God made you, how he gifted you and where he's working that you can join him. [00:33:11] Speaker A: That's so good. That is so good. Hannah, you have such great friends. [00:33:14] Speaker B: I love Ms. Gina so much. [00:33:15] Speaker A: Yes. Well, it has been a joy to sit down and talk with you today and you just to see how God has moved and worked in your life over the years. But also that he's so. You're so present right now in your obedience and your trust with Him, I feel like is so encouraging to our women as they get to hear and hopefully are encouraged today for sure. Okay. As we close out, tell us just a few ways that we can be praying for you. [00:33:41] Speaker C: Well, thank you. Yes. I, again, my list maker self, I started looking at the possibilities of things that are coming up in the fall. Our churches is moving toward developing deeper leaders in our, in our volunteer base. And so I know there's some of those opportunities coming up and the, the old school teacher in me, you know, it's like summer is like kickback because August is coming. And so I have this list and I'm really, I'm doing what I just said. I, I'm just, I'm praying and asking Lord to direct my, my paths in that and so that he would just be, be clear. And I, you know, I still have a desire to develop relationships with, with friends to go deeper in friendships and, and that's, that's not a one way thing. And so, so I have to trust that, you know, what, what may seem like I've tried mentoring some younger college girls. Hannah, Hannah knows my struggle here, you know, and it, and I think they're just so busy and, and it just hasn't worked out. And so it's been kind of a crush to my spirit. Like Lord, am I not really a good mentor? But I have to release that as well and say, you know, so where is it? I was very involved in college ministry when Hannah was on staff and that door kind of closed and, and I grieve that for a little bit. But I also know, you know, that, that there are many other things that God has us to do. And so you can just pray that I would, that I would, you know, listen to his voice and be obedient and open and just keep walking, walking with him because life with him is just so much better than anything else. [00:35:37] Speaker A: You're so right. Well, it has been such an encouragement to me. I know Diana, to our listeners today to have you and as you just continue to press and lean in, we are doing that with you wherever we are find ourselves present in ministry and just season of life so thank you and we will be praying for you. [00:35:57] Speaker C: Thank you. It.