For Immediate Release Contact: Pamela McClure, 615-595-8321
pamela@mmpublicrelations.com
Lisa Harper rides a customized Harley-Davidson. When minivan-driving moms glimpse Harper’s black leather jacket in their rearview mirrors, they might be alarmed to see her following them into a church parking lot. Imagine their surprise when Lisa is introduced as the speaker for their women’s Bible study. If Bible study conversations have previously focused on haircuts, handbags and centerpieces, everything is about to change. Lisa Harper wants to talk about real life.
“For the most part, I’ve experienced more grief than grace in regards to my two-wheeled proclivity,” writes Lisa. “Because motorcycles aren’t considered an appropriate mode of transportation for female Bible teachers. Some women think I should wear linen, not leather, and bake casseroles instead of burning rubber. But the New Testament book of Hebrews (topic of her latest Bible study book) was written to a group that was kind of like me on a motorcycle—they just didn’t fit in.”
Impatient with “fill-in-the-blank” Bible studies that barely address life application, Lisa developed her On the Road Bible study series (Tyndale House Publishers, $12.97 each) to help women discover the power of God’s Word. Harper’s new series empowers women to read the Bible and ask questions about scripture’s application for real life. With humor, storytelling, pop culture references and historical background information, Lisa Harper invites readers to begin a journey with the God of the universe. Her unique teaching style has even been applauded by bestselling author Max Lucado who says, “You’re on the road to a deeper understanding of Scripture with the best tour guide around. You’ll be glad you made the journey.”
The On the Road with Lisa Harper series launches June 2005 with Holding Out for a Hero: A New Spin on Hebrews, as Lisa takes a look at spiritual drifting, wrongful persecution, and the supremacy of Christ. The series continues October 2005 with the release of Tough Love, Tender Mercies: The Minor Prophets, focusing on the Old Testament books of Hosea, Zephaniah and Malachi. The series makes its third scheduled stop in June 2006 with a study of the Song of Songs—What Every Girl Wants: A Portrait of Perfect Love & Intimacy in the Song of Solomon.
Following Lisa Harper’s innovative lead, Tyndale’s marketing initiatives are out of the box. An interactive book club DVD, modeled after Oprah’s Book Club and Barbara Walters’ Emmy Award-winning “The View,” is included with every book. Each DVD features Lisa and four friends as they talk about the Bible, the book’s content, and application to their personal lives. Tyndale has also developed an interactive website, www.lisaontheroad.com, featuring Harper’s ongoing blog, a calendar of road events, author biographical info, backgrounders on the four DVD book group members, and much more. And, last but not least, the publisher will partner with the Christian Motorcycle Association to promote the book nationwide.
Lisa Harper is the former director of Women’s Outreach for Focus on the Family and creator of the organization’s Renewing the Heart Conferences (1997-1999). As a result of the Renewing the Heart events, Lisa is now a sought-after speaker at women’s retreats, conferences, and other events around the country. She is the author or co-author of several books including Relentless Love, Every Woman’s Hope, May Bell’s Daughter and Renewed Hearts, Changed Lives. Lisa Harper served for several years as the director of women’s ministries at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville. She is currently working toward her Master’s degree in Biblical Studies at Covenant Theological Seminary.
Tyndale House Publishers is located in Carol Stream, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Founded in 1962 by Dr. Kenneth N. Taylor as a means of publishing The Living Bible, Tyndale House products include bestselling books, New Living Translation Bibles, and other resources for church and family. Tyndale books have appeared on the New York Times bestseller lists, including the "Left Behind" fiction series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, and non-fiction titles including Let's Roll! by Lisa Beamer, with Ken Abraham; In the Presence of My Enemies by Gracia Burnham, with Dean Merrill; and Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson.
Holding Out for a Hero: A New Spin on Hebrews
Book One in the On the Road With Lisa Harper series
Available June 2005
Tyndale House Publishers
Trade paper, 228 pages
ISBN: 1-4143-0276-2, $12.97
Each book includes bonus “book group” DVD
For review copies and author interviews, contact Pamela McClure, McClure Muntsinger Public Relations
pamela@mmpublicrelations.com, 615-595-8321