The Map of Madaba

When Professor Tom Anderson first planned to lead a tour of mostly-Minnesotans to the Holy Land, he never imagined he'd become involved in a search for the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail, in the hope of bringing peace to the area. Clues found on a mosaic map and on an ancient scroll led Tom, his beautiful companion, Najah, and the rest of his group on a voyage that included a travelogue of historical sites; kidnapping and murder; intrigue and romance. Was the search successful? You be the judge!

For 36 years Doug Roper wrote and told stories each week as a minister. Now in his early seventies, he and his wife live in Wisconsin along the south shore of Lake Superior with a view that overlooks the Apostle Islands. Following his attendance at St. Olaf College and the University of Buffalo, Doug Roper completed his formal education at Gustavus Adolphus College and the Lutheran Seminary at Gettysburg Pennsylvania where he received his theological degree in 1961. From 1956-58 he served in the US military. He began his ministry in 1962 as an assistant minister at the largest Lutheran Church in the US, Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, located in Minneapolis. In 1967 he became the senior minister at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lakeville, Minnesota, serving there until he became Director of Research and Development for Home Farmers Mutual Insurance Association in Minnesota and later the General Manager for the Paul Revere Companies in Michigan. Returning to Minnesota in the early seventies he reentered the fulltime ministry until he retired. During his twenty-three year pastorate at Minnewashta Church—a Congregational church in Shorewood, Minnesota—he visited Israel several times, shared thoughts on a daily radio program for many years, and wrote high school curriculum for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. At the present time, he preaches on occasion, enjoys oil painting, writing, fishing on Lake Superior, and his wonderful family. He is married, has four children, and four grandchildren.