Member Spotlight: Alina

Hi APCC family! I'm Alina, and I have been attending APCC since August 2019 after moving to Northern Virginia to work as a software engineer at Capital One. I grew up outside of Philadelphia and attended Carnegie Mellon University studying Information Systems. I currently joyfully serve in Children's Ministry and am a member of the wacky and loveable Tysons Corner Connect Group, but the pandemic has made it difficult for me to lean into the rest of church fellowship as much as I would like. In my free time as I learn how to be an introvert, I attend Reformed Theological Seminary as a part-time student, create music (check out my side gigs on Spotify and YouTube!), dance to K-Pop, and try to bring my drawing skills from 0 to passable (this may take several years). I love to have meaningful conversations with people, so I am always available for new friendships.

This past Sunday’s sermon from Acts 15 on the perseverance of the gospel deeply reminded me of God's sovereignty and power. There is a special peace knowing that God can use imperfect people like me to advance His gospel in how He chooses, even when I might not see it. I am especially convicted by Dixon's reminder to pray for God's guidance in how to use me and who to speak to, as there is always a temptation to go by my own plan based on my own strength. I especially perked up at Paul and Barnabas's conflict, because as much as I want to idolize biblical figures, seeing how God so purposely used and worked through their disunity points back to how it is always Jesus who is worthy to be worshipped and glorified. I am praying that even in this uncertain time of my life, I can find guidance and stability in His plan for me, His people, and His soon-to-be people.