Media Bio
Christine Rhyner intimately understands the profound grief of infertility. While she watched her 5 sisters get pregnant, statistics just so happen to bear out that one in six couples struggle to have biological children. Her inability to conceive without the use of donor eggs and IVF which she rejected after research and prayer, led her and her husband on two separate adoption journeys.
Her family grew with a son from Vietnam and a daughter from China. After navigating these emotional paths, she published her debut book, How much did you pay for her? Forgiving the Words That Hurt Adoptive Families. It focuses on extending godly grace and forgiveness for the insensitive questions and remarks that often accompany infertility and adoption.
A strong voice for pro-life and Right to Life principles, Christine has published articles in a variety of Christian online and print publications including Boundless Webzine, Virtue Magazine and The Bible Advocate. She continues to share her writing and perspectives on these issues through her website blog at www.christinerhyner.com and with the Substack community.
Her second book is soon to be published. The Adopted Son Who Almost Wasn’t is the unfiltered story of Christine’s and John’s fight for a family. As they navigate the maze of disappointing fertility treatments, parallel adoption pursuits start to feel like divine answers. But as one devastating road block after another jeopardizes the placement of a baby into their arms, they are often left with desperate prayers and tears.
A powerful memoir of tender faith and the miraculous journey to parenthood, The Adopted Son Who Almost Wasn’t will touch your heart and remind you that sometimes, the greatest blessings are born out of the toughest battles.
Christine and her husband John make their home in southwest Florida, along with their children. Now young adults, they enjoy seeing them come into their own as college students.
Speaking Topics & Areas of Focus
Christine speaks and writes on topics including infertility, international adoption, and helping families navigate the complex conversations that come with both.
She also addresses how to talk with children about adoption and how to respond to the insensitive questions and comments that often arise along the way.
Her work explores issues surrounding adoption, abortion, reproductive technologies, and euthanasia, offering a thoughtful, faith-centered perspective on each.
Discussion Topics
- Infertility and the emotional journey toward family
- International adoption and navigating the unknowns
- Talking to your children about their adoption story
- Responding to insensitive questions and cultural misconceptions
- Adoption, abortion, and reproductive technologies from a faith perspective
- The ethical and emotional questions surrounding IVF and modern fertility treatments
- Sanctity of life and pro-life advocacy in today’s culture
