Contact: Lisa Copen, Rest Ministries, 858-486-4685, rest@restministries.org

MEDIA ADVISORY, Sept. 7 /Christian Newswire/ -- Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization that serves those who live with chronic illness which sponsors National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week (NICIAW) September 10-16, 2007.

NICIAW, founded in 2002 by Copen, 38, who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis for fifteen years, has two main goals:
(1) encourage those who live with illness that they are not alone and that there is eternal hope when life on earth is difficult;
(2) to educate the general public, churches, and healthcare professionals about the impact of living with a chronic illness that is not visually apparent.

Why should you care? Look at these statistics!

• Nearly 1 in 2 Americans has a chronic condition.
• 96% of illness is invisible.
• 60% of the ill are ages 18-60.
• The divorce rate is over 75% for the chronically ill.
• 70% of suicides have uncontrollable physical pain as a factor.
• 66% of people with illness say if their church started a Bible study for those with chronic illness they would definitely attend.

Copen, author of seven books on living with illness and small group materials, is available for radio interviews, and specifically wishes to create additional awareness during September 10-14, 2007. "Illness impacts the lives of everyone," says Copen. "They need to know they aren't alone."

Previous shows include Billy Graham's Decision Minute, "Joni and Friends," Family Radio, and Salem Radio Network. She will be on Kelli Thompson's "New Day" with Moody Broadcasting Network September 10 on WGNR 97.9 FM.

A sampling of topics Lisa speaks on include:

• Invisible Illness: Why do we need one more awareness event and how can a Christian organization use it to bring people to the Lord?

• 6 things your church needs to do immediately so people with chronic illness don't leave it for a New Age church where they feel better understood and loved. Survey results share the surprising desires of the ill.

• People with illness are tired of casseroles. Creative ways anyone can reach out to the chronically ill.

• Are your compliments to your chronically ill friends destroying your relationship? What are the top 10 things not to say to someone with a chronic illness? Improve your relationship overnight!

• Why do the chronically ill need so much attention? An insider's viewpoint at the ups and downs of living with illness, Lisa shares the emotions of experiencing a constant grief cycle. You will better understand what your loved ones are experiencing.

• Can people with invisible illness park in the blue spots without others seeing red? This recent OpEd piece by Lisa has created a lot of conversation. Even Christians can pass judgment too quickly, assuming if you look good you feel good.

• What is Rest Ministries and why is it needed? Lisa shares her testimony about using her weakness to build this ten-year-old ministry that receives 80,000 visitors to the website each month, all through the support of chronically ill volunteers around the world.

George Carden, Correspondent and Producer for United News & Information says, "Lisa is a wonderful interview! Not only is she one of the most articulate interviews I've done, but Lisa expresses herself from the heart with Christian love so listeners know she is speaking 'directly to them.'" UNI featured Lisa for a September edition of "OutLook," their news radio magazine.

Twenty free online workshops will be held Sept 10-14 at www.invisibleillness.com.  You can view a video about Rest Ministries and Lisa's story at www.restministris.org.  Schedule her today before her week fills up! (w) 858-486-4685; (h) 858-486-4944; rest@restministries.org.