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Ask author and speaker Priscilla Shirer, 30, about the Bible, and she'll talk nonstop for several minutes, scarcely slowing down to draw a breath. "I'm passionate about getting women into the Word. I want them to know the uncompromising truths of Scripture, but I also want them to experience the power of the Holy Spirit, the way he can use Scripture to bring his supernatural power to bear in their everyday lives. I want women to feel God at work in their marriage, family, workplace, and heart."
Her enthusiasm is infectious, and it's clear why her speaking ministry is popular; almost every weekend Priscilla's in a different state, speaking to a different group of women, sharing Scripture with them all. "I'm not the person you call on if you want a polite, entertaining women's conference," she says with a laugh. "Forget the door prizes; I want us to open the Word, see what the Lord has to say to us, and feel his presence in our midst."
Priscilla has an M.A. in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary, and her résumé includes stints as a radio and TV host and corporate trainer for the Zig Zigler Corporation. She's the author of three books for women—A Jewel in His Crown, And We Are Changed, and the upcoming He Speaks to Me (all Moody)—and recently released a video teaching series, He Speaks to Me (LifeWay). She's been married to Jerry for six years and is mom to two young boys—two-year-old Jackson and one-year-old Jerry Junior. But it's her parents' names most people recognize first: Drs. Tony and Lois Evans.
One of four children born to Tony, a nationally recognized author (Free at Last, The Promise), radio host (The Urban Alternative), speaker (he frequents the Promise Keepers platform), and pastor (he founded megachurch Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship), and his wife, Lois, a Christian leader in her own right, Priscilla still lives within a few miles of her parents and siblings—one of whom is little brother and gospel recording artist Anthony Evans—and enjoys a close relationship with them all.
Between trips to conferences in Pennsylvania and Alabama, Priscilla recently sat down with TCW at her Dallas-area home. As the washing machine hummed in the background, she discussed God's power, making room for a quiet time in a busy schedule, and living in the present.
After growing up as a pastor's kid, did you ever think you'd go into full-time ministry?
Absolutely not! I wanted to be a television news anchor, but while I was majoring in broadcast journalism in college, I got a job working at a Christian radio station as an on-air personality. People heard me say, "This is Priscilla Evans. Thanks for listening," and some would call the station asking, "Is that Tony Evans's daughter? Can she come do a Bible study for our women's ministry?" I couldn't believe people would trust me with that responsibility at 18 or 19 years of age. But I'd show up. Sometimes I'd find an audience of 10 women and other times as many as 500. And I'd just do what I do now—share what I'm learning in my personal study.
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