Alumni Spotlight: Bella (Vitello) & Adam Edwards
When did you graduate from TFA and where did you go to college?
2016, Bella went to Southeastern University and Adam went to the University of Florida.
Please tell me about your family, occupation, and/or volunteer service.
Adam and I are high school sweethearts. We met our senior year at TFA. After doing long distance for 4 years through college, with the Lord’s guidance, we knew we were meant to be. We happily got married during the midst of Covid in August 2020. We held a private ceremony with family and friends. We were finally able to celebrate with all our friends and family on October 17th for our wedding celebration. I (Bella) am a Children’s Pastor and licensed minister in the Assemblies of God At Christian Life Church in Columbia, SC. Adam is an Engineer at John Deere. We have two sweet puppies, Sunny and Thunder. We love our church family and are thankful for the blessings we have received over the past 5 years together.
Please tell me where you attend church now and your ministry involvement.
We attend church at Christian Life in Columbia, SC where I am on staff as the children’s pastor. Adam serves in our children’s ministry with me. We both love all the children and families the Lord has placed in our lives to minister to. Ministry is a partnership and it has been the greatest blessing to serve and do ministry together. It is true what they say. God does give you more than you can ever imagine or dream of having.
How did TFA prepare you for the next steps in your life?
Besides bringing Adam and I together, we are thankful for the teachers and staff who invested in us personally and spiritually.
What teacher(s) and/or coach(s) had the most impact on your life, why/how?
Bella – Sarah Donovan and Melanie Lader are leaders and teachers I will never forget. My senior year I was able to use one of my class periods to serve in Mrs. Lader’s preschool class. This was a huge part of me growing and learning in my love for children (before) I was even called to be a kids Pastor. Sarah Donovan and Mrs. Lader believed in me and allowed me the time to be right where I needed to be. With God’s precious and beautiful children. I will forever cherish the memories from that special season.
Coach Cramer, for also being a rock for me through sports. Believing in me and always rooting me on. After my first year at SEU, he was the first person to ask me all about my year. It meant a lot to me to know he was praying and excited for my future!
Alexa Deluzio, she is one of the best mentors, coaches, and friends I’ve ever had in my life. I’m thankful for the way she poured into me and drove me to be better! I learned so much about leadership through her and it made me a better leader today.
Adam – Brandon Hazzard, Coach Wehry and Coach Mayberry. Each of these men helped me to become who I am today in various ways. Mr. Hazzard always kept it real with me and taught me how to work with people in Genius Bar it taught me patience and gave me a desire to help others. Coach Wehry and Coach Mayberry were great mentors to me during high school and playing sports and really taught me how to be a man and to develop good character that would take me somewhere in life not only as a man but as a servant leader and husband. I will always be grateful to each of these men and many others for the investment they put into me.