Partners in Transformation: Andrea Frias

Get to know more of your Metro community with our new series, Partners in Transformation! In this series, we highlight all of the people that make up the membership of Metro Community Church. Our Partners have not only decided to officially call Metro their home place of worship, but are co-owners of the vision and mission of our church.

Our first Partner is Andrea Frias, who serves on the Nursery and Prayer teams, and has been a co-owner at Metro for 8 years!

When did you start attending Metro?
My husband, Miguel, and I started attending Metro in June 2011. We were long time members of another church which, unfortunately, was going through a major split. We heard about Metro from a couple who were former members of our old church.

What stood out to you about Metro?
It was so funny how we found the church. We were given the address but weren't told it was in a school, so we spent a lot time driving back and forth trying to find it. We finally gave up and went home, but I came back early that Sunday morning to find the welcome team setting up outside in shorts and sandals. I laughed so hard because Miguel (my husband) and I had put out dress clothes for service. That first Sunday, we were overwhelmed by the worship. I felt like we were getting fresh water after coming out of the desert. We knew by the second visit that Metro would be our church.

What ministries are you involved with? What about those ministries made you want to serve?
I am currently serving in the Nursery and Prayer Team ministries, and volunteer whenever and wherever needed. I love children and feel that I want to to share my love for the Lord with them. They aren't too young to encounter the Lord and hear and experience Him.

I also enjoy praying for others. It keep me close to my Father's heart and to His children. It gives me so much joy to come alongside my brothers and sisters whether it's in time of need, for encouragement, or just to come together in one spirit to pray together.

What do you do outside of Metro?
Outside of Metro, I work for Horizon BCBS as a Managed Care Coordinator in Case Management and have been there for 21 years. I spend time with my kids when they are home. I also have five childhood friends from Jamaica; we are all in our 50s and we do life together. I take road trips when I need a change of pace, and I have a small prayer group that give me life.

My hobbies are reading, journaling, going to the movies, listening to music, and dancing. I also enjoy spending time with my friends and finding new places to eat.

What does transformation mean to you?
Transformation means allowing the Lord to show me where I need to make changes no matter how hard it may be and actually doing the work to make the changes.

Have you seen or experienced transformation through Metro?
Absolutely! I was able to see honesty shared from the pulpit which gave me the freedom to open up and share my own pain and brokenness. In doing so, I was able to heal in so many ways. The more I allowed the Lord into those places, the closer I was able to get to Him. The transformation gave me the freedom to be transparent and authentic in my walk with the Lord and with others and it allowed me to love well.

What made you decide to be a Partner at Metro?
I became a partner because I don't usually do anything half way. I took time to talk to the Lord about His love for this bride (Metro) and saw how much He loved her. I saw how much transparency meant. I saw the love for the the least, the lost, and marginalized, and how much the Lord wants Metro to represent the nations and represent what heaven will look like.

What is one thing you want people to know about you?
I won't tell you I love you if I don't mean it.

What brings you the most joy?
Being close to the Lord and knowing that those I love have a relationship with Him as well.

Anything else you want to share?
I love serving the homeless. It brings joy to my heart to see them smile as they are being cared for.

Also, the Lord shared with me that me that part of my coming to Metro was to meet some people who He would use to give me important tools for my tool belt for my journey ahead. I have seen it happen and have received some of those tools already.

If you would like to learn more about Partnership at Metro Community Church, please email Pastor Peter at peter.ahn@emetro.org.