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The Shift: The True Story Of How One Businesswoman Left Everything Behind And Changed The Lives Of Thousands
A memoir of overcoming pain, fear and doubt, and allowing faith to lead the way to a miraculous life.
You can only resist God's call for so long. Ask Moses, ask Paul… ask MaryAnne Connor.
As the owner of a successful real estate marketing firm, MaryAnne Connor, appeared to have it all. A happy marriage, the respect of her peers and a thriving career. But denial was her stronghold, and her enemy. She suffered from chronic pain, a dependency on pain medication and her marriage was failing.
And then there were God's whispers. They were getting louder. He wanted her to shift to a life of helping others. But how could He use her when she was so broken?
After years of resistance, she surrendered to His call, left everything behind and stepped onto the darkest streets of her city. There she found a kinship with other broken-hearted souls and the burning desire to help the poor and hungry. And so the genesis of NightShift Street Ministries began, along with an incredible series of miracles to conquer every obstacle put in her path.
Purchase The Shift today, walk in MaryAnne’s footsteps and take a remarkable journey to a place of love, hope & purpose.
You can only resist God's call for so long. Ask Moses, ask Paul… ask MaryAnne Connor.
As the owner of a successful real estate marketing firm, MaryAnne Connor, appeared to have it all. A happy marriage, the respect of her peers and a thriving career. But denial was her stronghold, and her enemy. She suffered from chronic pain, a dependency on pain medication and her marriage was failing.
And then there were God's whispers. They were getting louder. He wanted her to shift to a life of helping others. But how could He use her when she was so broken?
After years of resistance, she surrendered to His call, left everything behind and stepped onto the darkest streets of her city. There she found a kinship with other broken-hearted souls and the burning desire to help the poor and hungry. And so the genesis of NightShift Street Ministries began, along with an incredible series of miracles to conquer every obstacle put in her path.
Purchase The Shift today, walk in MaryAnne’s footsteps and take a remarkable journey to a place of love, hope & purpose.
- GenresNonfiction
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2012
532 people are currently reading
555 people want to read
About the author
MaryAnne Connor
2 books25 followersBestselling author MaryAnne Connor is the founder and president of NightShift Street Ministries, a multi-denominational non-profit which encourages communities to care for people struggling with homelessness and poverty in Surrey, British Columbia. NightShift provides outreach services 365 nights per year and operates an addiction recovery program that–with the power of God–lifts those seeking escape from the streets into renewed and purposeful lives. Her transformative memoir, The Shift, can be found on numerous Amazon Top 100 Best Seller lists such as Christian Leadership and Christian Stewardship.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 24, 2017
An incredible story of what God can do in us and through us when we choose to follow faithfully, without fear -- trusting Him to be the strength that our weakness desperately needs. This book is beautifully written. It drew me in immediately and brought me to tears time and time again!
November 18, 2016
Manhattan Book Review by Anita Lock
After an incessant niggling from God to help the less unfortunate during a brutal January 2004 winter storm, successful real estate marketing consultant MaryAnne Connor responds to this urgency by boldly asking her pastor to use the church as a shelter. Seeing the need but expecting someone else to do the dirty work, MaryAnne has little tolerance for the odors that usually accompany these "untouchables," namely prostitutes, pimps, drug dealers, and addicts. But when her pastor puts her in charge of this temporary refuge, MaryAnne has no idea that her life will shift in a direction she never dreams possible. Connor states, "As the night continued, my passion for business and my former lifestyle slowly began to ebb away." And thus, the genesis of NightShift Street Ministry.
Connor bares her soul in her poignant memoir. Connor paints a pretty dismal picture of her past. Candidly admitting to her failed marriages, looking for love in the wrong places, and overcoming drug codependency to name a few, Connor help us see why she initially veered away from the homeless. Indeed, this group of people represents the very things she detests about herself. Yet it is not until a Christmas service at a Ukrainian Orthodox Church that God begins to mend her broken heart and past. For the first time, she realizes that she and these above-mentioned social outcasts have much in common. Even though she struggles with her inhibitions and fears about the homeless, God uses that struggle to equip her for the wintry storm the following month and to create a new outreach program designed for the very people she loathes.
A highly inspirational read from beginning to end, Connor's narrative is a balanced mix of storytelling, encouragement, and spiritual guidance. Although her memoir is heavily laced with a Christian message, readers from all walks of life and spiritual as well as non-spiritual backgrounds can benefit from Connor's common human-interest encounters. Connor closes with a flurry of helpful spiritual information and website links. To learn more about NightShift Street Ministries, go to http://nightshiftministries.org/.
Posted on Goodreads by MaryAnne Connor
After an incessant niggling from God to help the less unfortunate during a brutal January 2004 winter storm, successful real estate marketing consultant MaryAnne Connor responds to this urgency by boldly asking her pastor to use the church as a shelter. Seeing the need but expecting someone else to do the dirty work, MaryAnne has little tolerance for the odors that usually accompany these "untouchables," namely prostitutes, pimps, drug dealers, and addicts. But when her pastor puts her in charge of this temporary refuge, MaryAnne has no idea that her life will shift in a direction she never dreams possible. Connor states, "As the night continued, my passion for business and my former lifestyle slowly began to ebb away." And thus, the genesis of NightShift Street Ministry.
Connor bares her soul in her poignant memoir. Connor paints a pretty dismal picture of her past. Candidly admitting to her failed marriages, looking for love in the wrong places, and overcoming drug codependency to name a few, Connor help us see why she initially veered away from the homeless. Indeed, this group of people represents the very things she detests about herself. Yet it is not until a Christmas service at a Ukrainian Orthodox Church that God begins to mend her broken heart and past. For the first time, she realizes that she and these above-mentioned social outcasts have much in common. Even though she struggles with her inhibitions and fears about the homeless, God uses that struggle to equip her for the wintry storm the following month and to create a new outreach program designed for the very people she loathes.
A highly inspirational read from beginning to end, Connor's narrative is a balanced mix of storytelling, encouragement, and spiritual guidance. Although her memoir is heavily laced with a Christian message, readers from all walks of life and spiritual as well as non-spiritual backgrounds can benefit from Connor's common human-interest encounters. Connor closes with a flurry of helpful spiritual information and website links. To learn more about NightShift Street Ministries, go to http://nightshiftministries.org/.
Posted on Goodreads by MaryAnne Connor
February 4, 2017
took me a while to finish this book ... good story about how good God is , but the writing was so hard to get through ... it was all over the place ...
January 1, 2019
This is one of the most inspirational books I’ve read in a long time! The author, MaryAnne Connor does more than go out on a limb, she takes a full plunge into the unknown when she offers to help at a church that serves the homeless during on of British Columbia’s most violent winters. What she finds out shakes her to her core.
She is a successful real estate magnate is on the verge of propelling her career to new heights by speaking at the American Home Builders Association in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is what she has worked so hard for. This presentation will launch her into the stratosphere and maker her a household name in the industry. But something is tugging at her heart and soul. What is it? It is the calling many of pray to hear. “Give me your heart, your soul and I will show you what you have seeking for.” What you may ask is calling you? It would be God.
She does something she’s never done before and doesn’t step out of her comfort zone, she embraces the calling and leaves everything that is familiar and comfortable. Sound familiar? It should if you’ve read the New Testament. Is this not what Jesus’ disciples did? They didn’t aske questions, they left their jobs and followed him on faith. Like them, MaryAnne had hundred of moment where she questioned what she was doing and why she was doing this. Imagine what your friends would say about you if you left a lucrative job and started a new career without worrying about financial security. What would say about them? Those are the questions aren’t they?
I couldn’t help but remember what I read in one of Robert Schuller’s books about faith. When he and his wife decided to start their own church at an abandon drive-in in California, he never worried about money even on the day they were launching their first televised sermon. He knew the money would come, he just didn’t know where it would come from.
MaryAnne details many of the miracles when money was short or the account was empty. She kept praying and keeping the faith for God would handle it but only if she turned everything over to her and she did! How many of us are brave enough to take that step?
Her ministry, Nightshift has become, in fourteen years, what many churches and religions profess to do, but never follow through. She is feeding, clothing and tending to the sick and poor. She is making a huge difference in her community of Surrey, BC. It is the most comprehensive ministry I’ve ever heard of. Hers is a full service and all-encompassing ministry. She isn’t only feeding the poor, she is helping them obtain counseling, drug treatment, rehab, half-way house, job skill training and job placement. She is doing what government services in Canada and the United States claim to do but fail dramatically! Why? Because her ministry focuses on the one word that Jesus constantly preached: LOVE! You won’t find that in the any government office will you? They are more worried about the proper forms being filled out instead of helping those who need it.
Both countries should take a good hard look at what she has accomplished without a massive bank account and then revamp their systems. Many will say it’s impossible. I pose the question, why?
Five Stars Plus!
She is a successful real estate magnate is on the verge of propelling her career to new heights by speaking at the American Home Builders Association in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is what she has worked so hard for. This presentation will launch her into the stratosphere and maker her a household name in the industry. But something is tugging at her heart and soul. What is it? It is the calling many of pray to hear. “Give me your heart, your soul and I will show you what you have seeking for.” What you may ask is calling you? It would be God.
She does something she’s never done before and doesn’t step out of her comfort zone, she embraces the calling and leaves everything that is familiar and comfortable. Sound familiar? It should if you’ve read the New Testament. Is this not what Jesus’ disciples did? They didn’t aske questions, they left their jobs and followed him on faith. Like them, MaryAnne had hundred of moment where she questioned what she was doing and why she was doing this. Imagine what your friends would say about you if you left a lucrative job and started a new career without worrying about financial security. What would say about them? Those are the questions aren’t they?
I couldn’t help but remember what I read in one of Robert Schuller’s books about faith. When he and his wife decided to start their own church at an abandon drive-in in California, he never worried about money even on the day they were launching their first televised sermon. He knew the money would come, he just didn’t know where it would come from.
MaryAnne details many of the miracles when money was short or the account was empty. She kept praying and keeping the faith for God would handle it but only if she turned everything over to her and she did! How many of us are brave enough to take that step?
Her ministry, Nightshift has become, in fourteen years, what many churches and religions profess to do, but never follow through. She is feeding, clothing and tending to the sick and poor. She is making a huge difference in her community of Surrey, BC. It is the most comprehensive ministry I’ve ever heard of. Hers is a full service and all-encompassing ministry. She isn’t only feeding the poor, she is helping them obtain counseling, drug treatment, rehab, half-way house, job skill training and job placement. She is doing what government services in Canada and the United States claim to do but fail dramatically! Why? Because her ministry focuses on the one word that Jesus constantly preached: LOVE! You won’t find that in the any government office will you? They are more worried about the proper forms being filled out instead of helping those who need it.
Both countries should take a good hard look at what she has accomplished without a massive bank account and then revamp their systems. Many will say it’s impossible. I pose the question, why?
Five Stars Plus!
January 31, 2019
I believe the Lord led me to read this book.
I read what the book was about before I chose to buy it, but I didn't expect what I read. I enjoyed the book right from beginning to end. It captured every emotion in this book. Yes we know it's a true story but for all she went through it was not easy no where along the way. Some parts were so heart breaking that you just want to give up and throw in the towel, but she never did. She just fully trusted God to see her through everything she came upon. This is a must read for those who struggle with believing that God is God and He is everything that you'll ever need. Excellent book. Well down Ms Connor well done.
I read what the book was about before I chose to buy it, but I didn't expect what I read. I enjoyed the book right from beginning to end. It captured every emotion in this book. Yes we know it's a true story but for all she went through it was not easy no where along the way. Some parts were so heart breaking that you just want to give up and throw in the towel, but she never did. She just fully trusted God to see her through everything she came upon. This is a must read for those who struggle with believing that God is God and He is everything that you'll ever need. Excellent book. Well down Ms Connor well done.
April 27, 2019
MaryAnne Connor's story has come into my life at a time when I am seeking God's wisdom and discernment. It was a salient reminder of the call to "be still" (Psalm 46:10) before God as He directs each day. Though I do believe in the wisdom of making plans, I am learning to hold my life "loosely" in the sense that plans can shift so easily. I appreciate MaryAnne's candor and especially her devotion to God and her reliance on the Holy Spirit. Though I think it's good to be "inspired" through what I read, I want to be more than inspired. I want to be convicted and called out to live the life Jesus lived among people.
October 8, 2022
What happens when God calls your bluff?
When the world calls you, it dangles all kinds of bright, shiny rewards in front of you. Then after you say yes, you wake up one day in quicksand.
When God calls you to a work, the quicksand and swamps are usually right up front. It's only sometime after you say yes and get down and dirty that you wake up and begin to discover blessings and treasures you never imagined existed.
The Shift is the story of that kind of call.
When the world calls you, it dangles all kinds of bright, shiny rewards in front of you. Then after you say yes, you wake up one day in quicksand.
When God calls you to a work, the quicksand and swamps are usually right up front. It's only sometime after you say yes and get down and dirty that you wake up and begin to discover blessings and treasures you never imagined existed.
The Shift is the story of that kind of call.
November 4, 2025
What a phenomenal read! How beautiful, precious and touching. I don't want to spoil anything. I am in awe of what God has done for MaryAnne Connor and through her as well! This book was such a good reminder of the faithfulness of God Almighty. We can always trust in Him. I highly recommend this book to everyone! I love what author Connor does, and hoe she has chosen to obey the Lord’s calling on her life. How inspirational!
June 28, 2018
God has a plan. Be not afraid!!
I felt every thing that the author felt. This book made me remember that God is in it all. I am lacking nothing except the faith needed to answer His call. I am very inspired by this story and know it will help me to step forward into what He has for me. Thank you Maryann.
I felt every thing that the author felt. This book made me remember that God is in it all. I am lacking nothing except the faith needed to answer His call. I am very inspired by this story and know it will help me to step forward into what He has for me. Thank you Maryann.
August 21, 2018
Inspiring
Recommend to anyone who feels like they want to help with something in their life, or if they feel underutilized, because helping others is an amazing way to start giving back, and using the gifts you have been given to help and save others. This book will give you the courage and inspiration you need to take the first step.
Recommend to anyone who feels like they want to help with something in their life, or if they feel underutilized, because helping others is an amazing way to start giving back, and using the gifts you have been given to help and save others. This book will give you the courage and inspiration you need to take the first step.
October 19, 2019
Fantastic true story about God changing the hearts direction and desires to minister and sacrifice for the homeless, drug addicts and outcasts in a Canadian town. Highly recommended book, filled with transparent and honest stories and victory! A real Faith Builder! I won this book from Goodreads Giveaways and MaryAnne Connor, Thank you.
October 19, 2019
Fantastic book, highly recommended. True story about the journey of being led and being obedient to God in caring for the poor, homeless, drug and alcohol addicts, and outcasts in her Canadian town. Transparent and honest and a real Faith Builder book! I won this book from Goodreads Giveaways and MaryAnne Connor, Thank You!
December 30, 2016
This book shows about a woman that with permission from her pastor starts a temporary shelter in their church. It shows in Gods timings things happen. On a personal note this was touching and I really needed to read this and will read this again. Netgalley review
September 23, 2017
The Shift
The Shift brought me to tears several times! I am humbled as it makes me look into my own life to ask what am I doing to spread God's love? Maryanne writes a very uplifting and soul searching book!
The Shift brought me to tears several times! I am humbled as it makes me look into my own life to ask what am I doing to spread God's love? Maryanne writes a very uplifting and soul searching book!
March 15, 2018
This was an amazing story of faith and courage
I really enjoyed this book - it was one woman’s incredible journey of obedience, faith and courage - it puts a burning desire in you to do something for God - read it!
I really enjoyed this book - it was one woman’s incredible journey of obedience, faith and courage - it puts a burning desire in you to do something for God - read it!
July 13, 2018
Amazing
A must read. An amazing testimony for anyone that needs a reminder that all storms will see sunshine, all darkness will come to light. Never give up and believe that God is by your side.
A must read. An amazing testimony for anyone that needs a reminder that all storms will see sunshine, all darkness will come to light. Never give up and believe that God is by your side.
December 11, 2017
Awesome!
This book is an amazing testimony of faith and courage. It truly encourages me to not give up on the vision God gave me. Thank you Mary for sharing.
This book is an amazing testimony of faith and courage. It truly encourages me to not give up on the vision God gave me. Thank you Mary for sharing.
September 5, 2018
Powerful
Encouraging to see God at work in ordinary people . Amazingl story of how one woman can change the life of many.
Encouraging to see God at work in ordinary people . Amazingl story of how one woman can change the life of many.
September 15, 2018
Very inspiring
Loved the book. She did a great job explaining her struggles and how her faith helped her pull through. Recommended
Loved the book. She did a great job explaining her struggles and how her faith helped her pull through. Recommended
June 26, 2020
Following Gods plan
Great story and truth.. could not stop reading it reading it. Determination and trust in Gods plan! Thank you for sharing your journey!
Great story and truth.. could not stop reading it reading it. Determination and trust in Gods plan! Thank you for sharing your journey!
July 29, 2022
This was a good book about homelessness and how one woman changed the trajectory of many lives of the homeless in her Canadian community.
April 1, 2023
A very inspiring book!
June 7, 2025
Hard to read and follow. Amazing what God can do when we say yes.
July 13, 2021
I liked the story, but the ending, itself, came as a surprise. It was too abrupt, and I continued to look for more. I love stories about the goodness of people and God's hand in it, but something was missing for me.
February 6, 2017
In this story Maryanne tells how she did what God ask of her and went to help others and leaving everything behind to do so. It was a bit like in Genesis 12 where God told Abraham to leave his homeland and all he knew behind and go into a land, God would show him. Maryanne had her little faith, the size of a mustard seed; such as in Matthew 17 where Jesus says “if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, nothing will be impossible for you.”
And she would need to remember what Jesus said in Matthew 17 because the enemy kept throwing obstacles in her path over and over and over again. She fully relied on God and never forgets to give Him the glory.
With her little fear and doubt, Maryanne persevered and helped to form NightShift Street Ministries in Surrey, British Columbia to help the poor, homeless, and the hungry. This is what Jesus was talking about in Luke 14 when He tells the story of how when you host a banquet to invite those who cannot pay you back and you will be blessed.
We can all learn some valuable lessons by reading this book by Maryanne.
She does what, we are all supposed to do as Jesus said in Matthew 5, Maryanne lets her light shine!
Read this book to be encouraged to never give up!
I believe that Maryanne embodies this quote by Theodore Roosevelt.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” – Theodore Roosevelt
I, was given this book, by Netgalley.com for review purposes.
And she would need to remember what Jesus said in Matthew 17 because the enemy kept throwing obstacles in her path over and over and over again. She fully relied on God and never forgets to give Him the glory.
With her little fear and doubt, Maryanne persevered and helped to form NightShift Street Ministries in Surrey, British Columbia to help the poor, homeless, and the hungry. This is what Jesus was talking about in Luke 14 when He tells the story of how when you host a banquet to invite those who cannot pay you back and you will be blessed.
We can all learn some valuable lessons by reading this book by Maryanne.
She does what, we are all supposed to do as Jesus said in Matthew 5, Maryanne lets her light shine!
Read this book to be encouraged to never give up!
I believe that Maryanne embodies this quote by Theodore Roosevelt.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” – Theodore Roosevelt
I, was given this book, by Netgalley.com for review purposes.
December 24, 2019
One story I continue to think on in my spiritual walk. Inspiring to see a modern day illustration of how God meets you where ever you are in life and give you a purpose JUST when you need it, even if you don't think you do.
December 11, 2016
God's Angels collectively shares the common goal to spread love
I was intrigued with the title and immediately caught up the story from the beginning. I also suffered from pain and depression after I had a back injury and a year later had a back surgery. Unfortunately the surgery was not successful. The economy crushed. We lost our home a rental property. In my heart I surrendered my self to Him. He provided us a comfortable life and He can easily takes it away from you. But I never question Him because I know He will help me overcome all the obstacles in my life. I also had a out of body experience. What I felt was serenity, calmness, overwhelming love coming from the brilliant light. I can sense and felt my loved ones who passed away was near. Everything stopped after God allows me to hear my husband earnest prayers to bring me back. I also heard the laughter of my 4 boys. I knew it's not my time. But if my name is called I have no fear for I know that you will always have a place in heaven. Living with Our Father, Jesus Christ the son of God. Now that my illness is deteriorating I am not discouraged. Because God placed me back to my family. I was finally accepted to be seen in Mayo Clinic in Rochester,MN. Right now, we are seeking help from anyone who can help me financially to cover the cost of travelling and a place to stay. My husband was not as optimistic as I am. I kept telling him to be patient and God will lead us the way and He never fails us. May you helped more people who accepted their weakness and ready to redeem themselves back to the glory of God.
I was intrigued with the title and immediately caught up the story from the beginning. I also suffered from pain and depression after I had a back injury and a year later had a back surgery. Unfortunately the surgery was not successful. The economy crushed. We lost our home a rental property. In my heart I surrendered my self to Him. He provided us a comfortable life and He can easily takes it away from you. But I never question Him because I know He will help me overcome all the obstacles in my life. I also had a out of body experience. What I felt was serenity, calmness, overwhelming love coming from the brilliant light. I can sense and felt my loved ones who passed away was near. Everything stopped after God allows me to hear my husband earnest prayers to bring me back. I also heard the laughter of my 4 boys. I knew it's not my time. But if my name is called I have no fear for I know that you will always have a place in heaven. Living with Our Father, Jesus Christ the son of God. Now that my illness is deteriorating I am not discouraged. Because God placed me back to my family. I was finally accepted to be seen in Mayo Clinic in Rochester,MN. Right now, we are seeking help from anyone who can help me financially to cover the cost of travelling and a place to stay. My husband was not as optimistic as I am. I kept telling him to be patient and God will lead us the way and He never fails us. May you helped more people who accepted their weakness and ready to redeem themselves back to the glory of God.
December 23, 2016
A Must read :Inspiring
I have been extremely blessed and encouraged by this book. The Lord has placed the same dream in my heart when I was in my early twenties,and I know it will happen in due time. When He sees fit.
The book shows how compassion,a heart to help others and faith in God can bring results.
Again I was truly inspired and encouraged..May God continue t o bless this ministry and the lives of its volunteers and staff
I have been extremely blessed and encouraged by this book. The Lord has placed the same dream in my heart when I was in my early twenties,and I know it will happen in due time. When He sees fit.
The book shows how compassion,a heart to help others and faith in God can bring results.
Again I was truly inspired and encouraged..May God continue t o bless this ministry and the lives of its volunteers and staff
May 19, 2020
I really wanted to give this book a higher review - after all, the stories told in it contained witness of a God who does amazing things providing for His children.
But, the writing. I feel like this book needed a brutal editor to keep the writer focused and make a point at least a little more clearly & succinctly. As one other reviewer wrote "the writing as all over the place". I had trouble reading this book through, for that very reason.
But, the writing. I feel like this book needed a brutal editor to keep the writer focused and make a point at least a little more clearly & succinctly. As one other reviewer wrote "the writing as all over the place". I had trouble reading this book through, for that very reason.
August 23, 2023
An inspiring story of how God can use one person, committed to His plan, to reach so many others. Great read with many powerful instances of God's miraculous work. Loved seeing all the Scriptures that God gave the author as promises of what He was and would do.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews