Waterloo, ON – In his pilgrimage as a writer, Philip Yancey has explored many of the conundrums of Christian faith – and challenged some evangelical orthodoxies – all while trying to break through the media's typecast of evangelicals.

Now, he will speak about his current spiritual musings at the 2008 MEDA Business as a Calling: Dividends of Hope convention, to be held Nov. 6-9 in Columbus, Ohio. The author of 16 books, Yancey may be best known for What's So Amazing About Grace, winner of both the Gold Medallion Book Award and the ECPA Christian Book of the Year. His most recent book is Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?

Yancey will be joined on the speakers' dais by Mennonite businessperson and former Paraguayan government minister Ernst Bergen and by economist James M. Harder, president of Bluffton University. In addition, three women who direct MEDA-related programs in Tajikistan, Pakistan and Tanzania – Perveen Shaikh, Faith Patrick and Sanavbar Sharipova – will discuss the unique challenges they face in building successful enterprises.

In addition to stimulating keynote speakers, Business as a Calling will feature seminars on topics ranging from business start-ups, through links between church and business, to the future of alternative energy, and tours to nearby destinations. MEDA's annual convention is also known for the opportunity to make new friendships with other Christians in business and to renew old ones.

All this is being offered in wonderful downtown Columbus, just steps away from a wide variety of attractions and events in Ohio's capital city.

To register, or for more information, go to www.businessasacalling.org or call (717) 560-6546.