MEET THE DIRECTOR
While attending Washington State University in 1978, Janine Ridings made a life changing commitment to Jesus Christ. Shortly thereafter, she felt led to attend Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, which was founded by her grandfather, Henry Ness. While attending there, she had a wonderful opportunity to study God’s Word. In 1982, she graduated with a B.A. in Biblical Literature and a minor in counseling. Five years later she married Dean Ridings. They have two precious children, Brittany and Brian who are their most important ministry.
Over the years, Janine has served in various capacities within the body of Christ. Prior to becoming ill she enjoyed speaking at women's events and retreats. She is a published author of a wide variety of articles in numerous international publications including Hopekeepers Magazine and Calvary Chapel Magazine. Her most recent work is a book entitled Comfort in the Storm: Devotions for the Chemically Sensitive. Janine and her husband, Dean have led home fellowship groups, as well as taught marriage classes together.
Dean and Janine reside in Snohomish, Washington with their two teenage children.
HOW WE BEGAN
by Janine Ridings
After being chemically injured on an airline in 1998, my life came to an abrupt halt due to severe health problems. I became a near shut-in, as I was no longer able to participate freely in society as I had in the past. Since I was housebound much of the time, I started ministering in any way I could from my home. Initially I started writing newsletters to encourage others with MCS, mailing them out to friends. In addition, I led an Internet prayer chain for my local church. This sparked the idea of starting a prayer chain on the Internet whose purpose would be to pray for the needs of those with MCS. Thus, Aroma of Christ Ministry was born. After awhile, people on the prayer chain expressed a desire to be encouraged from God’s Word, so I started writing devotionals geared toward the chemically sensitive. A brother in Christ, Bob Smart, offered to post them at a Web site, so the Aroma of Christ Ministry now had a home on the Web.
There are many people around the country who cannot participate in a traditional church setting due to the limitations of MCS. One primary goal of the Aroma of Christ Ministry is to help those who are on the fringes get connected to other believers. This can be accomplished through the Internet or locally through fragrance free fellowship events. For those in the greater Seattle area, Calvary Chapel Eastside provides a "Fragrance Free Zone" on Sunday mornings for the chemically sensitive so they can worship without being exposed to fragrances that could make them ill. It is a room next to the sanctuary that has glass panels and a T.V. monitor so people can view the service. My husband, Dean and I oversee the "Zone." Additionally, I try and plan several fragrance free events per year where people can worship together and be encouraged from God's Word in a "safe" environment.
Another aspect of Aroma of Christ is to provide ministry opportunities for people who are unable to serve in their local churches due to their illness. People who would like to serve the body of Christ through prayer can become a part of the Aroma of Christ Prayer and Encouragement Group. In doing so, they have a ministry they can participate in right from their own home. Even though they cannot attend a local church, they are still a vital part of the body of Christ and can stay connected to other believers in this way. Another way those with MCS can minister from their homes is by being an encouragement to our adopted missionary family, the Bryans, through prayer, financial giving, and other means.
I look forward to all God has ahead for Aroma of Christ in the coming years. I pray that the Aroma of Christ Ministry will encourage and bless your life!
In His service,
Janine Ridings
Founder and Director