Contact: Lisa via email
Contact: Lisa's assistant via phone 888-751-7378

Lisa Copen is an inspirational speaker that will be happy to speak at your church, local women's retreat, women's ministry group, or your support group of the chronically ill, among other groups.

She is the founder of Rest Ministries, Inc., a non-profit Christian organization that serves people who live with chronic illness or pain.

After being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 24, she set out to find God’s purpose for her illness and how she could use it to make a difference in the lives of people who are hurting. Since 1997 she has touched thousands with messages of hope--while still in pain herself--through her writing, speaking and the programs of Rest Ministries.
>> You can read her testimony here.

I have to let you know personally when you spoke at Maranatha Chapel last year I was moved to tears through the whole evening. I had never been so blessed showing up to hear you speak, and your words of wisdom and scriptures given to us that night have held me up in my days of chronic illness and pain. The very next morning I emailed [the pastor] letting him know just how blessed I was, and told him then if Maranatha was going to start a ministry for the chronically ill, I would like to be involved in some way. Little did I know back then the Lord was preparing my husband and I to lead the ministry. We started with our first meeting in March, and another one this Sunday morning to finish assessing the needs of the chronically ill. In our first meeting the Lord divinely provided a Physical Coordinator for us, and we are all three actively getting the ministry set up to start in May. --Linda W.

Lisa is the author of various books including, So You Want to Start a Chronic Illness/Pain Ministry, Bible studies, When Chronic Illness Enters Your Life and Learning to Live with Chronic Illness, and Mosaic Moments Devotions for the Chronically Ill and most recently, Why Can't I Make People Understand? 
>> You can see her books and CDs available here

She is also a consultant for churches and individuals interested in improving their chronic illness/pain ministry. She is a speaker at events such as Joni and Friends Through the Roof Ministry and outreach.

She has been a guest on the nationally syndicated Christian radio shows, Family Radio, Billy Graham's The Hour of Decision radio program and Joni Eareckson Tada's radio program. She hosts her own weekly radio podcast program Hope Endures, interviewing a wide variety of people who offer hope to the chronically ill.

Lisa speaks at churches, conferences and special events, bringing a sense of affirmation and hope to the chronically ill and a new understanding to friends of people who live with illness.  Her "best friend" style of speaking keeps audiences entertained and intrigued, even while discussing subjects that are less than cheerful.

She also speaks to Christian groups on other aspects of their spiritual walk.  For example how to face difficult times, joy despite our circumstances and learning compassion.

Lisa is eager to learn how she can serve your needs. She has a BA degree in Sociology and is a previous board member of the Christian Council on Persons with Disabilities. She is a graduate of the CLASS program for Christian Leaders Authors and Speakers and Advanced Writers and Speakers (AWSA).

She lives in San Diego with her husband, Joel, and their son Joshua.

Most Requested Presentations

Beyond Casseroles:
How to Start a Chronic Illness/Pain Ministry

Does your church know how to reach out to people who live with chronic illness? How should you react when God doesn’t choose to heal? When are casseroles and get-well cards not appropriate? If you’ve ever wondered about the do’s and don’t’s of witnessing to someone with a chronic illness, you won’t want to miss this! Lisa will lead you through how your church can more effectively outreach to people who live daily with illness and pain through her own experiences and stories of others. You will be given an opportunity to see "church" through the eyes of someone in pain, and recognize the small changes that your church can make to have a more effective illness/pain ministry to hurting individuals.

Appropriate for churches, church leadership or conferences. 50 minutes, but can be adapted.

How to Help a Hurting Friend

Have you ever had a friend who was hurting and you didn’t know what to say? How do you know when to quote the Scriptures and when to just listen? If someone you care about lives with chronic illness, grief, or emotional pain, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to learn how to be a good friend. If you live with illness or disability, you will smile in understanding as Lisa shares her experiences and the stories of others who live with chronic illness. The time spent will give you a sense of relief and comfort, as you learn how to express your sincerity to hurting friends.

Appropriate for Christian and secular audiences. 40 minutes, but can be adapted.

Chronic Illness & Our Hope and Dreams:
Keep 'Em or Wean 'Em?

When we live with illness, we often feel frustrated with our ability to make plans and goals. Dreams fall aside as we just try to get through life. How do we continue to pursue dreams? Which ones does God want us to keep? Which ones should we give up? How do we decide? This upbeat, realistic look at dreams will hit home for anyone who has experienced life that comes after chronic illness. And even when Lisa discusses the difficulties of these choices, her sense of humor will keep you smiling.

Appropriate for Christian audiences. 40 minutes.

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To schedule Lisa to speak at your church or special event, call Rest Ministries, Inc. at 1-888-751-REST.

Lisa Copen