Rev. Rita Hays lives in Nashville, Tennessee and serves as the Associate Pastor at Connell Memorial United Methodist Church in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Dr. Hays is the author of two books, published by Discipleship Resources:The Children's MinisterandThe Most Important Space in the Church, The Nursery. She earned a BA from Mercer University, an MRE from Southern Baptist Seminary, and a D.Min. from Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She has also taught Christian education classes at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky. Hays has ministered in the area of Christian Education for over 25 years, especially in the area of Children and Family Ministry.