Biography
Ellie Lofaro's message is a wonderful blend of plainspoken truth, common sense practicality and disarming humor. Drawing from the context of real life, she deftly handles the Word of God and steadily directs her audiences to consider what concerns them in light of God's timeless truths. With her trademark quick wit and convincing demeanor, she pairs biblical principles with life's deeper questions. The result? An audience who willingly joins Ellie in the journey toward better understanding and applying God's grace and truth to their lives.
Equally comfortable sharing the "Great News" alongside acclaimed teachers at national conferences, on a television broadcast, or roaming the halls during a midnight search for chocolate at a women's retreat, Ellie effuses a natural ease and engaging warmth. As her friend and mentor Patsy Clairmont once said about meeting Ellie for the first time, she is the kind of person "you immediately hope will always be your friend."
Ellie is a first generation American and the second of five children in a "very Italian" family. A native New Yorker, she speaks of being brought up "with the awareness of God, but not the experience of God." However, when she encountered a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, she realized her new identity as a "Capital C Christian" - "highly flawed, fully forgiven and greatly favored."
Completely convinced of God's love and His mandate to "go and tell," Ellie has committed her life to using her time and talent to inspire others with His goodness and grace.
"After all, when you fall in love, you tell people. When you get married, you tell people. When you have a baby, you tell people. And when you find out there's a way to live a life of purpose now and to live in Paradise forever and ever...well, you just don't keep that kind of thing to yourself."
--Leap of Faith, 2004
A serious student of Scripture and a keen observer of the culture, Ellie has developed a unique teaching style that touches the heart,stimulates the mind, and nourishes the soul-thus inspiring her to found Heart, Mind, & Soul Ministries (www.ellielofaro.com). She has been blessed with a broad array of opportunities to communicate her passion for Christ. Ellie's ministry involves nationwide speaking engagements, writing books, teaching a weekly interdenominational Bible Study, contributing a monthly newspaper column and appearing on radio and television, including Focus on the Family, Life Today, The Harvest Show, and The 700 Club. She has also been a guest of the Moody, Salem, and LeSEA Broadcasting Networks. In 2006, Ellie teamed up with Kathy Troccoli to develop the women's conference, Spaghetti for the Soul. This national conference has been igniting hearts for Christ through solid Biblical teaching, an uplifting concert, a challenge to action, a call to salvation – and a healthy dose of humor.
Ellie's latest and fifth project with David C. Cook will expound on the joys and heartaches of raising teenagers and will be released in early 2009. Ellie has co-authored Spaghetti for the Soul , A Celebration of the Abundant Life (WaterBrook Press), with fellow Italian and New Yorker Kathy Troccoli. They serve up abundant helpings of faith, hope and love. It will be released by WaterBrook Press in the summer of 2008. Ellie's fourth book, From Battle Scars to Beauty Marks, Portraits of Women Who Turned Trials to Triumphs , shares true stories of uncommon grace. Leap of Faith , endorsed by Chuck Colson and Dee Brestin, is her third book and challenges readers to discover and embrace the life that God has promised. The author of a collection of humorous and provocative essays, Bonding with the Blonde Women and Slices of Life , Ellie has also written for Today's Christian Woman, Women of Faith's Connection Magazine, Crosswalk.com and has contributed to compilations from seven publishing houses.
Ellie and her husband, Frank (President and CEO of Christian Management Association), reside in northern Virginia near the nation's capital. They have three children: Paris (age 20)-named for the City of Light; Jordan (age 18) -named for the River of Life; and Capri (age 15)-named for the Isle of Love.
