A More Excellent Way Health Ministry

My Journey to Freedom

I thank God for His grace, mercy, and the strength He has given me to go to another level in personal and spiritual growth.  I am truly humbled that the Lord loves me unconditionally and He is allowing me to share my testimony so that He would receive the glory, and bring revelation knowledge and freedom to others. 

For over 25 years I have been battling a disease called Alopecia Areata. Alopecia is a common autoimmune skin disease that results in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere.  Because of this condition, I felt the need to wear hair weaves, hair pieces, and wigs.  I consulted doctors, dermatologists and hair stylists to help me “cover up” my balding head.  

I cried and prayed, prayed and praised; searched myself, questioned God, even got angry with God until I came to the end of myself on April 28, 2006.  While on layover with my husband in an Atlanta, Georgia airport, I was looking through a fashion magazine where I saw a beautiful African American woman.  It was a full length picture but what stood out was that she was completely bald and there was such a look of peace and confidence on her face.  The caption stated that she suffered from alopecia and opted not to wear wigs because her hair did not define who she was.  At that moment, the Lord spoke to my heart so clearly and I realized that God’s grace is truly sufficient and I needed to embrace who I am – spirit, soul, and body and that I could  live my life daily without wearing a wig.  At that moment, I was miraculously delivered from bondage that I had placed myself in.  A bondage that was entangled with self-esteem issues, cruel jokes and comments and even loving concern from others regarding my hair.  But yet, the deliverance went far deeper than my hair.  I realized that I am a woman of God who can make spiritually-guided decisions regarding me.  I didn’t have to act or look a certain way to be accepted.  I finally realized that God sees His people through loving eyes – inside and out.  But we allow ourselves to be held hostage to sin and hidden bondages.  Forgetting that God loves us and Jesus paid the price for our sins.  Not understanding that past hurts can keep us living in emotional and spiritual bondage and make us think that we don’t deserve happiness.  Not accepting that God wants us to be free – totally free so that we can live for Him and help others.

Now, being the wife of Senior Pastor Dr. Warren P. Chavers of Deliverance Christian Church in Canton, Ohio, I was concerned about how I would be viewed publicly.  Being  “First Lady,” people look to me to set example in manner and appearance.  My husband and my family were extremely supportive but there still was this nagging fear of not being accepted.  Emotional bondage was trying to creep back into my heart but I refused to give in.  As I prayed about how to come forth with this new freedom, the Lord began to give me instruction on how to go about educating people regarding my decision.  I started putting together a brochure that shared my testimony and information about alopecia.  Yet I still needed to get away with God to prepare myself for this awesome transition. 

At the beginning of 2006, a dear friend and I had decided to go to The First Lady’s Conference in Dallas, Texas .  In May, a few weeks before the conference, God assured me that He was going to use the conference to give me further instruction, encouragement, and courage!

I decided to attend the Intensive Workshop portion of the conference and the Lord directed me to the Victorious Disciples workshop (mentoring/discipleship program). It was then that He began to unfold this wonderful path and His plan for me.  The Thursday morning of the conference, I knew that I would need to fast when I returned home concerning my “coming out”.  I also knew in my heart that my husband would agree to the fast.  During the last hour of the Victorious Disciples workshop, we broke up into groups not knowing what the topic discussion would be.  Our group leader said that we would discuss prayer and fasting and the scripture she used was my absolute favorite, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 KJV) 

As the group began to talk and share, I felt that it was okay for me to talk about alopecia and what I was about to do.  Through my tears the women listened to me and encouraged me and said what God had already placed deeply in my heart, that my desire to be free would bring freedom to others.  I was so overwhelmed and grateful to the Lord for using the women in that small circle to speak volumes to me. 

From that point on the Lord kept dropping nuggets of wisdom in my heart.  My heart was so full that I thought I would burst but we were nearing the end of the conference and I still wasn’t sure what type of fast I was to do.  Then on Saturday, the last class I attended was about fasting.  At the very end of class the facilitator talked about the Daniel Fast and I knew that was the one for me.

So when I returned home from the conference, I fasted, continued to pray and praise God for the new found freedom and purpose in my life.  I had professional pictures taken to complete my brochure.  On, Saturday July 15, 2006, we held a church meeting and my husband and I talked about alopecia and my decision to live bald.  Then I took the scarf off of my head and the tears of joy, support, cheering, clapping, and deliverance that happened in our church on that day was totally amazing!  My husband had even shaved his head to show his support of me.

Since that day, I’ve been interviewed by our local newspaper, received invitations to appear on local television programs and countless emails, letters and telephone calls from people from all walks of life saying how my testimony has helped them, a friend, or family member.  Women who suffer from alopecia, cancer, and other illnesses expressed their admiration of my courage and how my testimony was such an inspiration to them.  The women of our church held an appreciation breakfast for me and gave me an award entitled “The Courageous Woman of the Year Award”; my life will truly never be the same.

I have always prayed that God would use my life to help others, that His Glory and love would shine through me. He answered my prayer; I am so overwhelmingly honored and humbled that God is using my 25-plus year struggle to bring freedom and hope to others.  My dear husband jokingly tells people, “If I want to run my fingers through Adrienne’s hair, I’ll take one of her wigs out of the closet.”  Then he goes on to say, “I didn’t fall in love with Adrienne because of her hair, I fell in love with her because of her heart.” 

Update: as I continue on my journey, more and more exciting opportunities are opening up for me - thus the birthing of A More Excellent Way Health Ministry.  I am not using any medication for my condition (Alopecia).  When questioned about being bald yet promoting a health program, I say, "I'd rather be bald and not on medications instead of having a head full of hair and depending on medications to live". 

To My Beloved Husband and Best Friend

Warren - thank you for your unconditional love and support - you've helped my dreams come true.  A More Excellent Way Health Ministry.......dearheart, I could not have done it without you!!!!

His Grace Is Sufficient

“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”

I Peter 3:3-4

(KVJ)