Facing Cancer Standing Tall is the title of a new book by Ahoghill native, Rev Adrian Adger. In it he details how he has found strength to live with the disease.
Adrian is now the Minister of Clough and Seaforde Presbyterian Churches in County Down. In February 2017, he went to Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry with a pain in his side.
Initially he was told he had a kidney stone, but Adrian’s world was shortly to be rocked by the news that a malignant tumour had formed on his kidney. Though a shocking diagnosis, the news was tempered by a scan which showed the lanthanoids around the kidney were clear.
Following his surgery, all seemed well until Adrian’s six-month scan revealed devastating news. The cancer had spread and lesions were now attached to his abdomen. Consequently, the illness was deemed inoperable and incurable.
Tears and questions followed with Adrian wondering if the Lord had allowed him to have cancer as a punishment for doing something wrong.
God is quick to reassure him that Jesus had paid the price for all his sins when He died on the Cross, cancer was not a further penalty.
Adrian is quick to say that he could not have got through his illness without the love and support of many friends and family. In particular, he pays tribute to his wife, Karen. Candidly admitting that she is the ‘best thing’ ever to happen to him, Adrian admits that her love and faith has strengthened his at times when he has questioned his circumstances.
Also faithful in love and support have been the members of Clough & Seaforde, where Adrian has ministered since 2015.
Upon hearing of his bleak prognosis, the elders gathered at the Manse to anoint Adrian with oil and pray over him in accordance with God’s Word as outlined in James 5:14.
In the aftermath of their intercessions, three excellent scan results followed before the news in January 2019 that the cancer had spread again, this time to Adrian’s liver.
Subsequently, Adrian was offered immunotherapy which he is currently undergoing. He praises God for this and has taken hold afresh of the words in Philippians 1:6 – ‘being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.’
Rev Adrian Adger will launch his new book, Facing Cancer Standing Tall, at the following three events
• Friday 24th May 2019 – Clough Presbyterian Church, County Down @ 7:30pm
• Tuesday 28th May 2019 – Belfast City Mission, Fairview Road, Newtonabbey @ 7:30pm
• Thursday 30th May 2019 – Trinity Presbyterian Church, Ahoghill, Co Antrim @ 7:30pm.
Adrian has also created a series of short videos called the Finding Series. In this series of 5 films Adrian shares some of his life experiences so that others will be encouraged and inspired to live their lives for God’s glory by Finding Forgiveness, Guidance, Love, Hope & Home. Click here to watch these videos.