With Scars on My Soul
Ellen Amy Ryles pens riveting story encouraging others to understand that painful secrets can destroy lives but uncovering the deep seated pain helps to heal a person – "What is done in darkness will come to light"
Thought-Provoking New Xulon Fiction Takes Readers Inside The Dark Side Of Church Life Revealing The Secrets That Humans Harbor To Cover Sin And Shame
Ellen Amy Ryles pens riveting story encouraging others to understand that painful secrets can destroy lives but uncovering the deep seated pain helps to heal a person – "What is done in darkness will come to light"
2016-07-18
MAITLAND, FL— Ellen Amy Ryles’s new book, With Scars on My Soul - A Story of Release and Redemption, ($13.99, paperback, 9781628715149; $6.99, e-book, 9781628715156) is an honest, direct, and sincere novel – a fictitious story based on real life, relatable events that may be occurring in many churches – including the dark secrets that religious people try to hide. Readers will meet Rameeka Middlebrooks – a fictional character who serves as pastor of Holy Hill Church, an independent congregation in Los Angeles, California. The story takes the reader into the heart and mind of a pastor who is completely human, deeply committed to Christ, and whose faith has led her to serve Christ in several ways throughout her career. In spite of heavy conflict within the congregation, Rameeka continues to lead and to love the people. Although a strong majority of the congregation loves Pastor Rameeka, appreciates her leadership, love and dedication, there is a small group who feel differently. This powerful story lifts up the events of church life with the Rameeka as Pastor while revealing the “buried secrets” of a high profile congregation.
“My hope is that readers will realize that women pastors face rejection from many fronts, particularly other women as well as men who cannot accept us as leaders,” states the author. “I hope that people will come to see that the church is a microcosm of society with people who bring their baggage with them. The importance of facing life's challenges with the confidence that God is with us every step of life and beyond is essential.”
Ellen Amy Ryles has 20+ years of experience as an ordained pastor and church official. She has worked in private industry and for non-profit organizations such as social service, mental health, and employment organizations. She has served the church and community as a chaplain in prison settings, has counseled abused women and children, and has led seminars and workshops on how congregations and organizations can function in healthy ways. She also has training as a congregational facilitator in healthy church life, organizational leadership, and family systems. Ellen is currently a consultant, lecturer, guest preacher, and writer. With Scars on My Soul is her first novel. She is always seeking to learn more and serve God in the best ways possible.
Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the world’s largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 15,000 titles published to date. Retailers may order With Scars on My Soul - A Story of Release and Redemption through Ingram Book Company and/or Spring Arbor Book Distributors. The book is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.