About Leisa Ress

I was blessed to grow up in a loving Christian family who was very involved in our small-town church. It was there I learned the beloved Bible stories via the highest tech medium available in the 1960’s, the flannel board. My school years were filled living in a Christian community through family and youth group events.

In college I found myself weary from a long, unsuccessful run at salvation by works. I knew that I had been forgiven of my sin upon accepting Christ at age 10, but thought it was up to me then to maintain my salvation by self-effort. It wasn’t long before busyness provided all the distraction I needed to drift from the faith—obtaining my Business Administration degree, getting married, then climbing the corporate ladder in Sales and Marketing for twelve years. I knew something was missing in my life, especially contrasted to the peace and contentment I observed in my sister who had remained close to God, but I continued pursuing the accolades of my own little career god.

Becoming a mother was to heighten the dissonance between what I knew to be true and how I was living. A return to more consistent church attendance led to my searching for answers through prayer and The Word. The Holy Spirit opened my eyes to see the magnificence of the gospel of grace. He showed me how I had been forgiven of ALL my sin – past, present, and future – and was eternally saved. None of this was by any works I had done. It was all grace, a free gift purchased for me by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He made me see how my career had become my god. I did not yet know that this was merely one of a plurality of lesser gods with which I would do battle to this day. From that moment forward, I have not been able to get enough of God's Word.

I have served in various capacities within the church – Sunday school teacher, food team member, Women’s Ministry Leader, Discussion Leader in Bible Study Fellowship and other women’s Bible studies, MOPS Mentor Mom, and for the past 14 years, Director of the mentoring ministry.

I live in Indianapolis, Indiana, with my husband of 39 years, Fred. We have two adult children, Meredith Walton and Evan Ress. Meredith and her husband, John, have given us three beautiful grandchildren-Cate, Paul, and Claire. Evan and his lovely wife, Cassy, have given us two lovable grand dogs, Leo and Artie.