Author: Penny A. Zeller
Submitted: May 01, 2008
Tell us a little about yourself. I am a wife, mother, and Christian author/speaker. I am involved in many community and volunteer projects and am a Woman's Small Group Bible Study Leader, co-founder of our ladies prayer group, and co-founder of the Community Girl's Night Out. My passion is using my writing to teach others about Jesus and His sacrifice for us. I have wanted to become a writer since second grade when I would rewrite Bible stories. My teacher, Mrs. Vernon, encouraged me to write about the Lord.
What was your motivation behind this project? My sister, Becky, suggested I write a book about service projects for families, as there was a lack of such books on the market. After much prayer and with God's guidance, I decided to write this book. It has been God's book from the start. I pray that with all books I have written and will write, that they will glorify God. This is my third book and the fourth is tentatively scheduled for release sometime in 2009.
What do you hope folks will gain from this project? My goal for those who read this book is twofold: I hope they grow closer in their walk with God (or even come to know Him for the first time!) and secondly, that they relish the importance of serving others. It is targeted toward families, Christian schools, homeschoolers, youth groups, and anyone who would like to do their part in making the world a better place. It is a reusable manual that promotes family unity during the "Up for Discussion" section within each suggestion, inspires readers to apply Biblical truth through the Scripture verses contained within each suggestion, and provides cost-effective (and even some free) ways to serve others.
How were you personally impacted by working on this project? Our family has embarked on each of the projects within the book and it was awesome to recall the smiles we have brought to the faces we have served. Each of my young children already have their own ministries. I am so passionate about this book that I found myself unable to type as quickly as the ideas were coming and unable to put it down until I finished writing it.
Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists? I owe all the thanks for this book to our Lord Jesus Christ. I also have my supportive husband and children, extended family, first draft editor, Barb, and of course, the staff at Beacon Hill Press to thank.
Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know: One of my favorite Scripture verses is "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord and not men," Ephesians 6:7 (NIV). This book provides the platform for just that.
