The untold and unique search for the little-known female apostleAccompany an award-winning journalist as she investigates a little-known subject in early Christian history: the life and times of Junia, an early convert and major teacher who was later 'lost' when her name was masculinized to Junias. The Lost Apostle is a lively and informative search for insight and information about a woman some say was the first and most highly regarded female apostle.In the New Testament book of Romans (16:7), the apostle Paul says: 'Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives, who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles and they were in Christ before I was.' In this same passage, he mentions a number of other women as well-Phoebe, Priscilla, Aquila, Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Julia, and Olympas-indicating a high representation of women in early converts and Paul's esteem for them. How does this fit with Paul's other teachings on the subordination of women? Was there a disconnection between his teachings and his actual practice? What are the implications for Christians today? Rena Pederson has engaged and researched these and many more questions with the help of top historians and biblical experts.Rena Pederson (Dallas, TX) served as an editor at the Dallas Morning News for 16 years and now serves as Director of Communications for the American College of Education. She was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in editorial writing and recently served as co-chair of the Pulitzer Prize board, and is a former president of the National Conference of Editorial Writers. Ms. Pederson has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and was profiled by PBS for the She Says documentary about the top women in the news business. Her writing has won numerous awards, including the Headliner's Club Award and Dallas Press Club Award.

Rena Pederson’s distinguished career in journalism includes serving for sixteen years as editorial page editor of the Dallas Morning News. She is a former finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and was a member of the Pulitzer Prize board for nine years. A winner of multiple writing awards, Pederson is the author of two books—What’s Next? Women Redefining Their Dreams in the Prime of Life (Perigee/Penguin Putnam, 2001) and What’s Missing? Inspiration for Women Seeking Faith and Joy in Their Lives (Perigee/Penguin Putnam, 2003). She has appeared on PBS, CNN, The OprahWinfrey Show, Fox News, MSNBC, and ABC-TV.
Pederson earned a bachelor’s degree, with honors, from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s in journalism from Columbia University in New York. She is an active member of Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas and has two sons, Greg Gish and Grant Gish.