Customer Reviews

From the Sanctuary to the Streets: How the Dreams of One City's Homeless Sparked a Faith Revolution That Transformed a Community

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4 star:		(1)
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A beautifully written story of how a group of suburban women lived their dream of reaching out to the homeless community in the city...what they found were blessings greater than anything they could have imagined. Wendy McCaig's story is heart warming and inspiring.

I was very encouraged by reading this book. It really makes me want to get a group of friends together and make a difference in my community like Wendy and her friends did. I was so interested in reading all the insites she had in there from all the different people. It was hard to put down. I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next! I also liked how she did not hide her true feelings of wanting to give up several times. We are all put in situations where it is hard and wondering if it is all worth it. In the end, it is always worth it when Jesus Christ is in the center of it. Great book, can't wait to hear the rest of the story......!

This book tells the story of how a very few people can make a huge difference in the lives of the homeless and the helpless. Second chances and merciful love are mixed together to change the lives of those we drive past and try to forget on our own selfish expedition through life. The author draws encouragement from her own circle of friends, family, and mentors to help people most of us would run like crazy from. Her quest to help was full of difficulties and unexpected blessings. Easy to read and full of wonderful ispiring quotes from stimulating people. It's definitely a pilgrimage you won't soon forget.

Wendy McCaig's book "From the Sanctuary to the Streets" is so inspirational! I am a suburban mom of three, just as Wendy is, and to see how someone just like me can respond to God's call in such an amazing way is so inspirational. This book is easy to read and the insights offered by people from all walks of life are eye-opening. For anyone wondering how God might be calling them to make a difference in their community, this book really shows how much good can come from one person saying "yes" to God.

An enthralling and inspiring journey of a woman, her family, and her friends who seek to fulfill God's calling for their lives and care for the people that society has forgotten. It is the personal story of Wendy McCaig, the founder of "Embrace Richmond," a ministry of individual and community development that began as a simple effort to supply furniture to formerly homeless people trying to get back on their feet.

McCaig writes with piercing honesty and simplicity, taking the reader on her own journey of struggle, conviction, and lifelong learning as she seeks to be God's agent of transformation in the lives of the homeless, addicted, and oppressed. The author's humility and vulnerability make this book quite a learning experience as she takes us along on her journey of successes and failures, energy and burnout, and all the down-to-earth stuff of trying to start a non-profit organization from the ground up. In fact, nearly half of the book is not McCaig's own words, but those of the people she works with - former addicts, community leaders, and even family members. Her book reflects how she lives and works - empowering other people and "leading from behind." I can't think of anyone who wouldn't enjoy and be inspired by this book; religious or not. It's hard to summarize this book. All I can say is, buy it and read it. It takes a lot for me to give a book 5 stars, but this one gets it.

The most wonderful thing about Wendy McCaig's book is that it is TRUE! What a joy it is to walk through the pages of this book with Wendy as she moves from suburban housewife to nonprofit director and friend of the poor. I have had the privelege of watching the Embrace Richmond ministry unfold over the years. I can still say that I find reading about it not only inspirational, but thought-provoking. With each personal story offered by those who accompanied Wendy on the journey, one is drawn deeper into the hearts of those who simply want to make a difference in this world. In a time when the problems and the needs around us seem overwhelming, Wendy shows us the true meaning of hospitality and reminds us that one person can make a difference!

I found this book utterly inspiring and encouraging. Wealthy Christian Communities are often eager to express gratitude to God from the comfort of the church pews, but rarely committed enough to their faith to demonstrate that gratitude with acts of love and mercy towards those in need. The reason God blesses some of us so abundantly over others is not so that we can become spiritually proud and distant towards the 'lepers' of today's society, but to lavish them with the love, time and resources that we have first been blessed with. Wendy's ministry is a pure demonstration of Christ-likeness, and her testimony is in my view the wake up call today's church needs to snap out of our complacency, lukewarmness, self-centeredness and self-presenvation. God is placing similar dreams in thousands of people today who are sitting on the fringes of a church because though they know little of what goes on within their church has much to do with being Christ-like, they are not sure as to how to see those dreams through. Take courage, be inspired by Wendy's example and take the plunge. Know that when you trust God to guide you in doing His will, He will not let go of you until His purposes are accomplished, and you will grow and be blessed in the process as you never thought possible before, not by having a comfortable life or material gain, but by feeling the presence of God so tangibly in your life that His kingdom becomes established on earth as it is in Heaven. Wendy's book is God inspired as is her whole ministry and what is left still for her to do. Make no mistake about it!

From the Sanctuary to the Streets by Wendy McCaig

It is interesting because as I read "From the Sanctuary to the Streets " by Wendy McCaig I realized that even though I know most of the folks in the book their story really came to life for me. I have seen first hand from my experience with Embrace Richmond that hope is a powerful force and when hope is teamed with the power of resurrection incredible things happen. I have spent the last fifteen years in youth ministry in the local church and one of the things that we in the Church have lost is the power of the Resurrection, the power of a God sized dream that is at work redeeming the broken and shattered pieces of life. In the Church the Resurrection has become more about more people than normal showing up then it is about God restoring Hope to the world, restoring life from death and victory in the face of defeat. Wendy has reminded me that there is great power in the dream because a dream means we have not yet given up the fight, there is still a chance and more importantly there is still hope. It is the possibility of things unseen. A city united to embrace all is a crazy dream one that by our power will not happen but a God sized dream reminds us that God is in control and wants to do in us more than we thought possible. We must hold on to that hope to dream God sized dreams , believe that the impossible is possible and live as people of a resurrection story.

Buy the book here: [...] or Google Wendy McCaig

From the moment I picked up this book, I couldn't put it away. My heart was touched by Wendy's work within the inner city of Richmond. This book illustrated so many different ways to help the poor and underprivileged, and how to encourage the recipients of the blessings to give to others, and to keep the cycle going. Wendy's faith in God and the mission He has for her, and for all of us, struck a cord within me. If you want to make a difference in your community, this book will provide great ideas and will inspire you to work harder and happier. The stories of the people who have been a part of this ministry are touching. As soon as I finished the last page of this book, I bought another copy and shared it with those in local ministry. Thank you, Wendy, for your insight and inspiration.

If you care about your sisters and brothers from all walks of life, read this book. This is one woman's story of her journey to make a significant difference in their lives, and the amazing people who joined her along the way. If you want to know how you can make a difference, read about how Wendy discovered the importance of working for social justice and the impact one inspired person and a small group of friends can have on a community. Christian or non-Christian, human services worker or banker, you will enjoy and be inspired by these words. I can't wait to volunteer for Embrace again!