Walk Worthy Press: Mercy, Mercy, Me by Ronn Elmore

Author Testimony

"Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, I descend from four generations of pastors-and am now one myself in the Sacramento area. My childhood ambition, however, was to grow up and perform on the stage and screen. I left Kentucky at age 16 to study at the Dance Theater of Harlem. Eventually I traveled the world performing in Broadway shows, television, and films. My dream had come true, but it was a hollow, disappointing success. I struggled with loneliness, massive self-doubts and, at just 19 years old, the sense that this is as good as life gets. I had been brought up in church, hearing my father's preaching Sunday after Sunday, but I had not fully embraced the Jesus He preached about. I figured all that was for later when you go to heaven. But the way I felt, I knew I could not bear to go on living a life that seem to lack any real purpose or meaning. One sweltering August afternoon in my tiny New York apartment, at the height of my disillusionment with life, I knelt bedside and simply prayed, "Lord, if there is anything to having a relationship with you now, not just after I die, I want that. I need you." Mine is not the story of a dramatic, overnight turn-around; but it is the testimony of a man who was desperate enough to want to throw away his empty life who found out that God had every intention of making his life count for His glory.

Eventually I transplanted to Los Angeles where I began to be discipled in the word of God and to grow in spiritual maturity. I left show business after having lost a one-on-one competition for a major film role to another then-unknown young actor--named Denzel Washington. I devoted myself to full-time ministry and found that God has gifted me in the area of counseling others. Entering seminary I studied theology, then went back to complete my doctorate in clinical psychology. Soon thereafter I went into private practice specializing in relationship counseling.

Helping people understand how to apply the principles of the word of God in the broken parts of their lives was and is my passion. I don't doubt that my own early struggles were that I could learn what the Apostle Paul spoke of in II Corinthians 1, when he says, Blessed be…the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort [others]. Out of my counseling experience emerged a growing desire to write. I chose to write about what I spoke about everyday with clients.

In 1996 my first book How to Love a Black Man was published and my life and ministry changed dramatically. God has opened doors for me to speak His word into others' lives to encourage the doing of the word and not just the hearing only. Other non-fiction books followed (How to Love a Black Woman and An Outrageous Commitment: The 48 Vows of An Indestructible Marriage) as well as the opportunity-once again-to travel widely and take center-stage, but this time to proclaim the simple, powerful, life-changing word of God.

It is the mix of my background in show business and my first-hand experience of the tremendous opportunities and tempting seductions of Christian ministry that birthed the idea for MERCY, MERCY ME. The book, my first novel, takes readers inside the world of big-name Christian media with all the trapping of success and celebrity to rival Hollywood. It is a completely fictional (but painstakingly realistic) account of a sincere, God-called Christian psychologist and minister who almost loses himself under the powerful enticements of fame and fortune. Though the story is by no means autobiographical, I, along with all readers, can relate to the leading characters struggle to not give in to that age-old temptation: to give up what is eternal to possess what is only fleeting and superficial.

Married for over 22 years and the father of three children, I have always loved a great story and marveled at the ways that Jesus used stories to reveal profound spiritual truths. MERCY, MERCY, ME is a parable, full of drama, intrigue, romance and vividly identifiable characters. It offers readers a front-row seat (and a backstage pass) to a world I know well, one where all is not as it seems, but where God's mercy is ever able to rescue us-even from ourselves. I don't doubt that you will find MERCY to be a truly enjoyable read, but more than that, I pray that the Lord uses it to remind us all of the futility of loving this world and the things of this world. "

Ronn Elmore

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