Kelly Minter

“The opportunity to write a Bible study on the book of Ruth while also writing and making a record on the same story merged my passion for the ancient texts of Scripture and my deep love for music in ways I could have never imagined.”When Kelly left her hometown of Reston, Virginia for Nashville, Tennessee the catalyst behind her move was purely musical. Never did she think that part of her journey would eventually include writing two women’s Bible studies for LifeWay (“No Other Gods: Confronting Our Modern Day Idols” and “Ruth: Loss, Love & Legacy”), speaking at women’s conferences and events, authoring books for David C. Cook and Waterbrook Press, while teaching Bible studies at her home church. Though not in her original plans, the creative and spiritual combination of making music and teaching the Bible has evolved into an impacting blend of offerings.Never has the mingling of Kelly’s passion for music and love of Scripture been more evident than in her latest two releases: “Ruth: Loss, Love & Legacy” the Bible study and “Loss, Love & Legacy” the full-length record. The six-week study explores the depths of the book of Ruth in the context of community including recipes, printed songs from the record, and a website (www.livingroomseries.com) as part of the unique Living Room Series. It is also the much-anticipated follow-up to “No Other Gods.”The accompanying record is perhaps Kelly’s most creative and moving work to date, encouraging listeners to experience God’s redemption in the oft broken and ailing seasons of their own journeys. Its songs span the spectrum of human experience and emotion, everything from tragic loss to unthinkable love to an enduring legacy. “My prayer is that this collection of songs will fuel the study and vice-versa. The very different expressions of both are something I hope will further color every woman’s experience of the book of Ruth, and mostly her God.”LL&L follows up Kelly’s most well-known project to date, her first Bible study for women, “No Other Gods”, and first installment of the Living Room Series. Highly acclaimed speaker and author, Beth Moore, graciously helped propel this study to a much broader audience in the summer of 2008 when she facilitated it on her widely read blog. “This was something I never anticipated or even knew about before Beth so kindly introduced the study to her audience. It was inspiring to see so many women willing to turn from the lesser gods in their lives to the true God who is the author of freedom.”Given Kelly’s unique blend of teaching and singing, it is only natural that she would find herself particularly at home across the country at women’s events of all kinds. Having the opportunity to share with women from the stage is a passion of Kelly’s, whether it’s teaching from scripture, leading worship, or simply singing her songs with her guitar. Her desire is to see women make the connection between the pages of Scripture and their very real, and often hurting, lives. Doing this in the context of a live group of individuals is what inspires Kelly the most. It is the flesh and blood of everything else.In year’s past, Kelly has also lead worship at numerous churches around the country and still loves the opportunity to lead whenever it arises. She has written and toured with amazing worship leaders such as Stuart Townend, Matt Maher and Brenton Brown. She recorded her first worship record, Finer Day, for Kingsway Music in the summer of 2007, produced by Stephen Leiweke. Some of her other musical releases also include, Good Day for WORD Entertainment (Kenny Greenberg), followed by Wrestling The Angels, Provident Music Group (Margaret Becker/Paul Buono), and most recently, Loss, Love & Legacy produced by Paul Moak, an independent project based on the book of Ruth.Minter’s other written works include, Hannah’s One Wish: A Bible Study For Teen Girls (LifeWay), Water Into Wine (Waterbrook Press), and No Other Gods (the tradebook for David C. Cook).Though having to balance the broader demands of writing, speaking, singing and traveling, Kelly’s heart is connected to her local community. She is strongly tied to her home church, teaches a weekly Bible Study at The Next Door (a ministry in Nashville for women recently released from prison), is passionate about working with “Ray of Hope” (www.rayofhopeamazon.com) which ministers to villages along the Amazon River, and is especially committed to her family in Virginia and the deep friendships she has in Nashville. Her greatest desire is to love Christ above all things and to be connected to culture in a way that brings redemption.