Meet Janine Weaver

BIOGRAPHY 

Originally from Long Island, New York, Janine was raised in an Italian-American, Christian home and vibrant church community. But it was on a mission trip at the age of fourteen that she had her first, personally meaningful encounter with Jesus. That marked the beginning of her ongoing commitment to Christ and whatever mission field He placed her on. By the time she was in college, she’d shared the Gospel in 14 countries – helping church plants in Russia, evangelizing with drama and dance teams, even teaching English as a second language in a Chinese University.  

She studied early elementary education for two years (Charleston Southern University) before transferring to a Bible school in Pensacola, FL. There, she met Brian Weaver – a recent graduate en route to plant churches in East Africa. Five years later, they were married, and she joined him in Moshi, Tanzania, jumping into an exciting role as pastor’s wife in a multicultural, urban church. She learned Swahili and took an active part in the church and outreach, focusing on mobilizing women to reach their circles of influence. Among the fruit of that season were leading and organizing annual women’s conferences that ministered to hundreds of women from all over the region. 

Brian and Janine returned to the States for a sabbatical and continued education in 2006. Janine completed her B.A. in Biblical Studies at Regent University, while Brian’s completed a master’s degree in Practical Theology. In 2008, after four years of infertility issues, Janine and Brian started a family. “My greatest honor – and challenge – is being a mom.” During their time in Virginia Beach, Janine served in a women’s mentoring program and MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). In 2013, and with three small children in tow, Brian and Janine launched back out onto the mission field, this time Germany.  There, they planted and pastored churches in the Frankfurt am Main region. Janine’s primary ministry foci were building a children’s church to reach a new generation for Jesus and co-leading women’s ministry to encourage women in their identity and promises in Christ.  “In every context I’ve been in, whether America or internationally – the need for Jesus is the same. Whether it’s leading a conference in Moshi or a women’s breakfast in Frankfurt, facilitating small groups, teaching kid’s church, loving on a refugee, or helping rehabilitate a former prostitute, God is always faithful to show up and change lives. God’s love changing lives is what it’s all about.” 

Janine has a great capacity to love and invite people into her life and relationship with God.  Her life verses are 2 Peter 1:3-8.  She loves being out in nature, crafting with others, reading historical fiction, and having a great time at a café with a friend.  She’s thrilled to be a part of HTC in the upcoming days - to serve and equip the body of believers and make relationships in the community to bring people into connection with God and the church.