Georgia Adamson, Executive Director

Georgia Adamson, Executive Director

The oldest girl of seven children, Georgia grew up in a busy and mobile household. Her family lived in a Florida, Alabama and Kentucky before finally settling in Texas, which makes it kind of difficult for her to name any one place as “hometown.” Georgia began her undergrad work at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla. but finished her degree at the University of Alabama with a BA in Spanish and Secondary Education. After receiving her call to ministry later in life (see below for more on that), Georgia chose to attend the Methodist Theological School in Ohio for her Master of Divinity and then Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary where she received her Doctrine of Ministry.

She met her husband, John Adamson, while skiing on the Warrior River in Alabama. Their first date centered around watching the Crimson Tide of Alabama play football on Labor Day. It must have been a great game because three months later they were married and have celebrated 39 years together. John and Georgia have two children, Trina - a computer imaging specialist with Lenovo – and J.W. – a geologist with a firm in Houston.

Besides her faith and family, Dr. Adamson’s passions include reading and learning something new. She also enjoys listening to country music, though her favorite song is “The Impossible Dream” from “The Man of La Mancha” sung by Brian Stokes Mitchell. CTCUMC.org recently took the opportunity to ask “Dr. G” a few questions to give you a glimpse to learn a little more about the CTC’s Executive Director of the Center for Leadership, but don’t let that stop you from taking the time to chat her up the next time your paths cross.

When did you hear/respond to your call to ordained ministry?

My call to ministry occurred later in life when I was about 34. In fact, I didn’t become a Christian or even set foot in a church until I was an adult. It was not until later in life that I decided to attend seminary and even then, I would tell friends and family, “Don’t get any ideas. I am just doing this for my own growth.”

What does Christ-like service mean to you?

Christ-like service can mean something different to everyone. For me it means giving your best to everything you do because you are in service to God. For example, when serving others, it can mean not always giving the person what they want. Instead, you must ask, “What’s best for the Kingdom of God?” Sometimes it’s to challenge the person, other times, it’s to receive something from them. Either way, it’s important to always treat people with respect.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

My plan was always to move to Latin America and teach English, thus my degrees in Spanish and in Secondary Education. I actually even taught for a few years.

When people meet me they usually think I am…much more reserved than I really am

but what they don’t know about me is…I love travel, spending time with my family, learning something new and helping people encounter Christ.

What is your personal brand – i.e. on what foundations is your house built?

My life is committed to understanding more about Christ. How can I become a better disciple? How can I help tell the story to others? I don’t always do it perfectly, but I try. That applies to both my work life and my personal life. There’s nothing that would get me to work this hard except my commitment to Christ.

[pausing to think, she ended our conversation with] “I think I’m here at an incredible time. A time when I get to use all of my gifts and graces to help call and refocus the church to a new way of being. It’s the most challenged I’ve been and the most fun I’ve had.”