Joy-Elizabeth Lawrence is a freelance writer and part-time staff member at Calvin College where she is the costume shop manager for Calvin Theatre Company. The daughter of a Christian and Missionary Alliance pastor, Joy's childhood was defined by moving, homeschooling, making things, and being afraid of the rapture. After receiving her BA in English and music performance from a state school in South Dakota, she attended Regent College (Vancouver) where she graduated with a masters degree in Christian studies in 2005. It was there her interest in the ethics and theology of food was kindled and she developed a better understanding of Christian eschatological hope.

Joy is actively involved in local food commerce (as a buyer), attempts gardening each summer, and cans tomato soup each fall, all as an attempt to practice resurrection. Her interests include gathering, reading, and hearing stories of spiritual journeys and Christians' attitudes toward their bodies. She is also a regular volunteer performer at local theatres and has been delightedly married to Justin Paul, who she met at a C&MA youth camp, for over eight years.

Joy is a regular contributor to Catapult Magazine. She has also been published in Crux, Today�s Christian Woman, Eat Well (a *culture is not optional Road Map book), and a variety of small group and church resources. She is currently working on a manuscript that examines Christian's responses and attitudes toward food.

Read Joy's Gifted for Leadership articles:

– "Grooming Leaders" (May 1, 2009)

– "Guided by Dreams" (December 9, 2008)

– "Marriage: A Story Shared" (October 14, 2008)

– "Food, Culture, and True Communion" (March 11, 2008)