MACGREGOR - A picture can say a thousand words, but sometimes one word is enough.

The art book "Living Word" features more than 100 people dressed in simple white T-shirts. On each shirt is painted one word - the word that perfectly describes the person wearing the shirt. The book, which started as an art exhibit, was created by William and Laura Gentry, both artists and pastors. An idea that started as a joke turned into a way of making people think - what one word defines you?

"It could be a word they see themselves as or a word they want to be like. The nature of the exercise is enabling people to inhabit and dwell in their word," says William.

All kinds of words inhabit the Gentry's book, from adjectives (wide-eyed, addictive) and nouns (synergy, bucket), to conjunctions (but, if) and verbs (contemplate, giggle).

"Some people really went and did some soul searching on this one, especially once we moved from adjectives to other parts of speech. That's when the clever definitions came," says Laura. "We saw people grow and flourish in their definitions."

The book was truly a joint one for the couple, with William as photographer and Laura hand-painting each of the shirts and gathering information from each participant. Along with each photo comes a brief description of how and why each person chose the word they did.

For Sandra Knebel, of Lansing, the word "doer" was an automatic choice. It fits the busy woman perfectly. Knebel's description reads "Don't get in this journalist's way. Doer makes extraordinary things happen wherever she goes. 'For me,' she declares, 'doing provides a source of satisfaction and pride as well as a knowingness that God always provides whatever is needed.'"

Knebel says she never knew the project would make it to the book stage, but she has high hopes that "Living Word" will become popular beyond Iowa and the Midwest. Available at Amazon.com, there were only two copies left for purchase at the time of publication, and customer reviews are listed from places as far away as Anchorage, Alaska and San Antonio, Texas.

"If you belong to a book group it's definitely one to pick up, to talk about how different people's personality and characteristics are and what backgrounds bring them to a place where that word defines them. There's a lot of possibility for discussion," says Knebel.

Jennifer Christiason, of Cedar Falls, went through a number of words that didn't quite fit before settling on "feisty."

"I feel passionate about a lot of things, and I thought that kind of word was not just one where I was slapping myself with a word that was a real compliment, because 'feisty' can be good and bad," says Christiason. "That's where I stand. It can be a really great thing and it can really get me into trouble."

Christiason says people who know her well would agree with her self-assessment - Christiason's husband thought the word was perfect for her, and her parents laughed. Christiason has known Laura since college and was honored to be a part of the Gentry's project.

"One of the neat things about William and Laura is their ministry is so vital because of who they are as artists," says Christiason. "I support their art, and I just enjoy it so much. I just think they're such talented individuals. Iowa is lucky, so lucky, to have them."

Contact Kelsey Holm at (319) 291-1464 or kelsey.holm@wcfcourier.com.

NEED TO KNOW

"Living Word" is available for purchase at www.amazon.com, or through the Gentry's Web site at www.thegentryjoint.com, as are customized Living Word T-shirts. Both William and Laura Gentry are available for speaking engagements, book discussion or empowerment programs. To schedule events, contact the Gentrys by e-mail at lauragentry@lycos.com.