MaryAnne Connor was a real estate marketing executive when she surrendered her life to, what she calls, The Shift.
It was a stormy winter’s night and MaryAnne was settled snugly into her bed, when a piercing question stirred her from her comfort: “Where are they sleeping tonight?”
She knew the homeless were just thirty minutes away on the streets of Whalley, Surrey’s inner city.
She got up and drove through the snow storm to the other side of the city to ask a Whalley pastor to give people shelter in his church that night. He handed her the keys and said, “I’ll open the doors of the church tonight, but on one condition–you’re responsible.”
Stepping out of the boat that night changed her life and her perspective. Until that moment, she had raised thousands of dollars for charity, but “never got her hands dirty.” That was all about to shift.
The Shift: The Power of Belief is part autobiography, part history of NightShift Street Ministries, the faith-based non-profit she’s built to feed and provide services for the homeless 365 days of the year.
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“What I find so moving about her story is her absolute faith in God. Time and again, when the odds are stacked against her, Papa gives her the energy and fortitude to persevere. A little like Tevye from the musical Fiddler on the Roof, MaryAnne communicates with God. He leads her, most often through Bible passages to new understandings about herself and the situations she encounters. In other words, He shifts her. —Dianne Watts, Mayor, City of Surrey, British Columbia
“Unforgettable … it will change how you see God.” —Fanny Kiefer, SHAW TV (One of Canada’s 25 Most Influential Women, Chatelaine)
“I know that if it wasn’t for her support and her believing in me until I could believe in myself I wouldn’t be alive today.” —Kristy Wilson
“MaryAnne openly shares her journey as a reluctant but willing recruit into the purposes of God in her life. She asks the question, ‘How much is one life worth?’ As you read through these pages, you cannot help but feel the prodding of the Spirit of God asking you the same question and demanding your own heart to respond. I highly recommend this book to you. Let it open your eyes and heart to the stark reality that everyone is in desperate need of a Saviour, and everyone deserves to be rescued.” —Helen Burns, Pastor, Relate Church
“A genuine book of a miracle! Buy this book. Read this book. Then look and listen for God’s voice so you can create your own miracle.” —Dr. Peter Legge, OBC, LL.D (Hon), D. Tech. Chairman/CEO/Publisher, Canada Wide Media Limited
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I read the book “the shift” and was inspired by macs determination to make nightshift the success that it is today with gods help, and the many others who help her. Since I read the book I not only donate to the. Nightshift, I pray for the nightshift, but someday I what to donate my time as a volunteer. Mac has inspired me also to tell others about the nightshift and what all the wonderful things they and Mac have done in surrey! God bless u Mac and the nightshift! Love and prayers , Helen Marie gavrailoff.