Lynne Rienstra
BIO:
Lynne Rienstra is a recovering Pharisee and spiritual orphan—the result of growing up with three dads by the time she was nineteen (and her own wayward heart). Through her mentoring, speaking, and writing, she leads women out of hiding and into a transforming encounter with the living God that empowers them to fulfill His unique purpose for their lives.
Lynne has followed a series of callings: English teacher, corporate insurance broker, pastor’s wife, women’s ministry leader, home schooling mom, and development professional. Since 2013, she has served as a Regional Director for Samaritan’s Purse. Throughout her lifetime, Lynne has traveled to 26 countries on five continents (including North Korea, Iraq, Singapore, Uganda, Liberia, Peru, Ecuador, and Kenya, where she lived for a summer among the Maasai).
Whether leading a group of women in Bible study, leading a group of ministry partners to see God at work around the globe, or leading a group of women on a weekend retreat (she’s taught thousands of women across the country over the last 25 years), Lynne revels in guiding others in the ultimate adventure: experiencing God’s lavish love for them.
Lynne has contributed to Decision magazine, Georgia Life, and to the books Long, Wandering Prayer (IVP) and Rekindle the Flame (Bethany House). She has also self-published a mother/daughter Bible study called You Grow, Girl! Currently, Lynne is writing a Bible study for women called Sheltered: Encountering God in the Storm, which combines the Biblical stories of women who met God in the midst of crisis with the stories of modern women who seek to do the same.
She holds a B.A. in English from Smith College, where she first encountered God’s voice through inductive Bible study. In addition, Lynne earned a Certificate in Spiritual Formation from Ruth Haley Barton’s Transforming Center. She is working on a degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (that she may not finish before Jesus returns).
Serving alongside her husband, Rob, senior pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Covington, Georgia gives Lynne much joy, as do their two adult children. She loves Earl Grey tea, all things French, period dramas, reading C.S. Lewis and Elizabeth Goudge, and scoring vintage clothing finds.