Rev Adrian Adger funeral: minister will continue to inspire beyond death

Mourners have heard that a Presbyterian minister will continue to be an inspiration beyond his death from cancer earlier this week.
By Mark Rainey
Published 15th Jan 2021, 16:53 BST
Updated 15th Jan 2021, 17:13 BST
In line with the Covid restrictions, only a small number of family members were able to attend the funeral of Rev Adrian Adger at Clough Presbyterian Church. Photo: Pacemaker Press. Photo: Pacemaker PressIn line with the Covid restrictions, only a small number of family members were able to attend the funeral of Rev Adrian Adger at Clough Presbyterian Church. Photo: Pacemaker Press. Photo: Pacemaker Press
In line with the Covid restrictions, only a small number of family members were able to attend the funeral of Rev Adrian Adger at Clough Presbyterian Church. Photo: Pacemaker Press. Photo: Pacemaker Press

Rev Adrian Adger, 57, inspired many fellow cancer patients by writing two books on his experience of living with a terminal diagnosis.

Married to Karen, Rev Adger was originally from Ahoghill in Co Antrim but had settled in the Mournes area as minister to the Clough and Seaforde congregations.

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The funeral service in Co Down on Friday was conducted by Rev Brian Smyth from Trinity Presbyterian in Ahoghill, who met Rev Adger at Belfast Bible College in 1991 and officiated at his wedding in 2013.

Rev Adrian AdgerRev Adrian Adger
Rev Adrian Adger

During his moving tribute to his best friend, Rev Smyth said he took issue with the News Letter headline reporting Rev Adger’s death – ‘Inspirational Presbyterian minister loses cancer battle’.

Rev Smyth said: “That headline has troubled me and as his best friend I would love the headline to read: ‘Inspirational Presbyterian minister Adrian Adger gains so much through his promotion to glory.’

“Yes, Adrian was very inspirational but the headline almost suggests that his death means it’s all over.”

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Rev Smyth added: “The newspaper headline suggests that Adrian is finished because he has died. Many believe there is nothing to be gained through death because death means you have to leave everything behind – your home, your loved ones, and friends.

Rev Adger's wife Karen was comforted as she joined the mourners for her husband's funeral service in Clough Presbyterian, Co Down on Friday. Photo: Pacemaker PressRev Adger's wife Karen was comforted as she joined the mourners for her husband's funeral service in Clough Presbyterian, Co Down on Friday. Photo: Pacemaker Press
Rev Adger's wife Karen was comforted as she joined the mourners for her husband's funeral service in Clough Presbyterian, Co Down on Friday. Photo: Pacemaker Press

“While that it true, the Bible teaches that if a person has died in Christ then that person can know that they will gain infinitely more in death than they ever gained in this life.”

Karen Adger’s father Graham paid his own emotional tribute to the son-in-law he described as a “man of impressive spiritual stature” as well as impressive physical stature.

“Adrian Adger to me was a great man. He was a man full of the Holy Spirit,” he said.

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Rev Adger had only been married for four years when he learnt that his kidney cancer was deemed to be incurable. However, he said, he found hope in the scriptures.

Order of Service for for funeral of Rev Adrian Adger at Clough Presbyterian Church. Photo: Pacemaker PressOrder of Service for for funeral of Rev Adrian Adger at Clough Presbyterian Church. Photo: Pacemaker Press
Order of Service for for funeral of Rev Adrian Adger at Clough Presbyterian Church. Photo: Pacemaker Press

“I was 54-years-old whenever I was told I had incurable cancer,” he said.

“I felt a sense of loss, my life has been cut short. But as I worked through those questions – although I don’t have all the answers – I found hope from reading the scriptures.”

As well as writing the book, ‘Facing Cancer Standing Tall: One Christian’s journey to finding joy,’ Rev Adger also recorded several inspirational videos of his journey.

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READ: Inspirational Presbyterian minister loses cancer battle

READ: I was 54 when I was given incurable cancer diagnosis

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Related topics:Presbyterian minister