Friday, August 2, 2013

A bet that answered a prayer


It all began eight years ago, with a bet between two drum majors at South Mecklenburg High School.

Both would seek out a person they thought least likely to show up in church, then invite him or her to attend the next Sunday. The winner would be the one whose invitee accepted – and then kept going to church.

Anna Hanlin, one of the drum majors, had her eye on Brittany, a freshman in the school’s color guard. “She came from a very broken home,” Anna recalls, “and I felt like she needed a friend.”

To Anna’s surprise, Brittany immediately said yes. “It was kind of like God answered my prayers,” Brittany says of Anna’s invitation to worship with her family at Harrison United Methodist in Pineville.

 As a young child living in New Jersey with her grandmother, Brittany found solace from her family’s poverty and turmoil in a Baptist church. But at 11 she moved to Charlotte with her mother. The churchgoing stopped. The turmoil continued, she and her mother kept their distance, and Brittany felt that God had forgotten her.

Then came Anna’s invitation.

Left to right: Brittany, Maria Hanlin, and Anna Hanlin.

Going to a predominantly white church was a different experience for Brittany. But she enjoyed the Hanlins and their church. And she could feel God’s presence again.

Brittany “started coming to church with us,” Anna says, “then spending the weekends with us, then spending weeks with us. And then, before we knew it, she was family.”

The Hanlins were hesitant at first, not wanting to usurp Brittany’s mother. But she never called looking for her daughter, and it was clear Brittany had a new home.

In 2010, Brittany, then 20, changed her last name to Hanlin. “Sissy” is what she now calls Anna. “Mom” is the Rev. Maria Hanlin, former head of Mecklenburg Ministries.

 Over the past year, as an AmeriCorps volunteer in Chicago, Brittany worked with at-risk girls that reminded her of herself. That experience, followed by a lot of prayer, convinced her that God had a plan for her.

Next week, she’ll start divinity school at Vanderbilt University.

But first, this Sunday morning, Brittany Hanlin will don her adopted mother’s black robe and deliver her first-ever sermon at Charlotte’s Park Road Baptist Church.

Looking on from a front pew, beaming, will be the other Hanlins – including Anna, who clearly won that bet.

-- Tim Funk

15 comments:

South Charlotte Resident said...

The Hanlins are an amazing family. I met Maria through Meck Ministries and have been continually inspired by her faith, her spirit, and her commitment to God's work. What a wonderful tribute to the entire family. God bless you, Brittney and good luck on Sunday.

Anonymous said...

What an inspiring story! Wishing the Hanlins and Brittney many blessings and that God will speak so evidently through you this Sunday!

Russ and Amy Jacks Dean said...

Brittany has been a great gift to Park Road Baptist this summer, serving as a Ministerial Intern. She's a dynamic young woman -- our kids immediately fell in love with her. We're all looking forward to Sunday morning.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful story that made my day!

Laura Dower said...

Brittany is such a gift from God. She clearly has a purpose on this Earth and knows how to minister from her heart. My husband, teenage sons, and I are better because Brittany stepped into our lives.

Anonymous said...

Is there any proof that this was a gift from God, or God's work at all, or just a complete coincidence?

Anonymous said...

To: anonymous at 1:59 pm

Oh yes. There is proof. It's right there in front of you to see.

Anonymous said...

Still waiting on proof....

Anonymous said...

To anonymous at 2:28 pm

That's not proof. You haven't eliminated supposition, chance, bias and all of the other gods.

Anonymous said...

I'm guessing your definition of proof is hard evidence. So given that, is there any proof that you love your children, spouse, parents, etc.?

Ramona Holloway said...

Thank you for this reminder of how something as simple as an invitation to church can change a life!

Anonymous said...

"Coincidence is an illusion."

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful story, however, I think that Brittany is the true winner of that bet.
KIm
NC

Heather J. said...

I love this story. A family who lives their faith every step of every day. I have been inspired by them through the past several years that I have been involved with Mecklenburg Ministries. Thank you Hanlins and congratulations Brittany on what was surely a powerful sermon!

Anonymous said...

We all remember what she was infamous for when she was in High School.