All Saints: The Surprising True Story of How Refugees from Burma Brought Life to a Dying Church

by Michael Spurlock, Jeanette Windle

The True Story Behind the Powerful Film ALL SAINTS

Newly ordained, Michael Spurlock's first assignment is to pastor All Saints, a struggling church with twenty-five devoted members and a mortgage well beyond its means. The best option may be to close the church rather than watch it wither any further. But when All Saints hesitantly risks welcoming a community of Karen refugees from Burma--former farmers scrambling for a fresh start in America--Michael feels they may be called to an improbable new mission.

Michael must choose between closing the church and selling the property--or listening to a still, small voice challenging the people of All Saints to risk it all and provide much-needed hope to their new community. Together, they risk everything to plant seeds for a future that might just save them all.

Discover the true story that inspired the film while also diving deeper into the background of the Karen people, the church, and how a community of believers rally to reach out to those in need, yet receive far more than they dared imagine.

The Reverend Michael Spurlock served All Saints Episcopal Church in Smyrna, Tennessee, for three years. He is currently on the clergy staff at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue in New York City. Michael, his wife, Aimee, and their two children live in New York City.

Award-winning author and investigative journalist Jeanette Windle has lived in six countries, authored nineteen books, and mentors writers on five continents. To learn more, visit her at www.jeanettewindle.com.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Inspirational, Faith, Christian, Book Club

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 22, 2017

Reviews

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 3 out of 5]

RATING: 3.5 STARS
(I received an ARC from the PUBLISHER)
(Review Not on Blog)

I was not that interested in seeing the movie based on this book, but after reading it I am adding to my list. This book was a lot easier to read than I thought and very engaging. It is a heartwarming story.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story of All Saints Church family and the many miracles that occurred there. Earlier this summer my husband and I enjoyed watching the movie All Saints, which is based on this book and the actual happenings at/with the people of All Saints Church and the good that the Karen people brought to the community.
ALL SAINTS is on the reading list for 2020 in the WMS/ABW group to which I belong. I recommend that everyone read this miraculous book and then watch the movie ALL SAINTS.
5 miraculous stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

All Saints is about a small Episcopal church in Tennessee that is slated for closure due to declining membership and an inability to pay its bills. In the midst of this, some Burmese refugees turn up at a church service. Eventually, they ask if they can use some of the fields around the church to raise food to eat. The church pastor and members end up befriending and working together with the Burmese, and all ends up well.

I just finished the book, and over Labor Day, I saw the movie. So here are my thoughts on both.

This is a rare instance where I feel like the movie was better than the book. The movie was filmed well, with great visual images that are understandably difficult to do with a book. The movie also had a nice story arc (which admittedly may not be totally true-to-life, but it does make you feel good to watch). There was Forest, the ornery old man who started out anti-everything and ended up the church's biggest supporter. There were the attractive pastor and his family who solved all problems within the film's under-two-hour time frame.

The book gives much more detail on all aspects of the story. You'll learn quite a bit of detail on the lives of the Burmese before they reached the US. And since this is a culture most of us have little knowledge of, it can be difficult to follow. You'll also learn more about the background of the Spurlocks -- the pastor's family. They have a member who wasn't even shown in the film, along with various other bits of history that make them more complex, and more interesting, people.

I think the biggest issue I had with the book was that the writing was rather clunky: "Not wanting such a life for their daughter's childhood," etc. It felt to me as if once a movie was in the works, someone decided that it would be a good idea to have a book too, so all the data for the movie was kind of dumped here. The book features very little dialogue, and reads sort of like a super-long Wikipedia article. The movie and book even feature the exact same artwork on the covers/posters.

So, see the movie if you can. If you can't, the story is still worth reading.

[Samantha Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start out by saying that I knew there was a movie but did not know what it was about and then saw the book on NetGalley.

Reverend Michael Spurlock felt called to lead a struggling, in more ways than one, All Saints Episcopal Church in Smyrna, Tennessee. Being from the south and having been part of a church that split, I related to this part of the story so much!

Yes, this book is about a church. Yes, this book is about a pastor and members of the church. Yes, this book is about Karen refugees settling in small-town Tennessee and trying to become part of this congregation. But it is SO much more than that. It’s about trusting God with every decision, whether it makes sense to you or not. It’s about being in a relationship with God that you know the sound of his voice when He is directing you. It’s about trusting God with the small stuff as well as the big, life-altering things.

I shed tears more than once as I read about how God was weaving together this beautiful story of grace.

I received an ebook ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Floyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Saints

by
Micheal Spurlock
Jeanette Windle

A Review

If you have seen the movie, you will want to read the book to get the rest of the story. If you have not seen the movie, you will want to read the book to get the whole story.

The movie was a moving experience, but the book provides so much more detail that the reader quickly realizes that the story is much more important than that found on the big screen. Rev. Michael Spurlock is appointed to a dead end church in Smyrna, TN. The church had gone through a very difficult church split and had a mortgage that far exceeded the remaining congregation's ability to care for themselves. The decision had been made by the local church and the denominational representatives to sell the property and move to a smaller location that could be had for the cost of rent while they began the rebuilding of the church.

God had other ideas.

Into their midst walked a small group of refugees - sent to check out the local Episcopal Church. On the surface, it would appear that the refugees would bring more drain on the resources of the church than they could possibly add. But, to quote myself, "God had other ideas."

What happened was the transformation of lives - both the American church members who stayed with the church and the Karenese refugees that joined them in worship. But the transformed lives did not stop there - it would include, over time, members of the Smyrna community, both its general population and its officials (police, government, etc.). Pastor Spurlock, the church, and the Karen would need to learn to trust God if the church was going to survive. Throughout the story we see unexpected answers to prayer - from the heavens, in the form of needed rain; people, who brought skills at the right time; and equipment, like the "1000 gallon water tank with a pump mounted on a trailer."

The story introduces us to the pain that the church felt when Rev. Spurlock chose after four years to take a position in New York, but the reader also celebrates with the church as they realized that God had sent the next pastor that they needed on their spiritual journey.

At one level, All Saints is the story of a church. But it is also the story of changed lives - lives unexpectedly touched by the Grace of God.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

[Esther Filbrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mom read this book quite a while ago, and recently, I had the chance to listen to the audiobook. What a fascinating story! I love hearing how God works in and through different people at different times, and this is another beautiful example of what He can do when we are yielded to His will and ready to do whatever He asks of us. I did find parts of the book somewhat slow and dry—the parts explaining some of the backstories of the different people in the story were interesting, but would have made it harder to get through if I had been reading a physical copy of the book. Overall, though, I came away encouraged and inspired. Recommended if you love true stories about God and His church!

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of a faith community joining together with refugees to save their church and help the refugees is an inspiring one. This book, which tells the true story behind the recently released movie, is a bit lackluster. Many admirable people are represented but I found the emphasis on God providing everything just when it was needed a bit over the top and the whole tone unrealistically Polyanna.

On page 73, the author tells the story of how when the Spurlock's car needed a $250 repair, someone sent a check for $250. When they needed $400 to cover unexpected expenses, someone sent a check for $500. When their vehicle blew its transmission, resulting in a bill of $1,500, "Michael wasn't wasting time on worry. 'I'm going to the mailbox,' he told Aimee. Sure enough, God had provided. ... The gift: exactly $1,500." Even people with strong faith in God know that sometimes bad things happen to good people, and God does not always provide the cash you need when you need it.

"Establishing a Karen home-in-exile in a small town of central Tennessee was hardly the result of intentional planning. At least by any human agency." (p. 88)

Some readers may be absolutely thrilled at the heavy religious overtones of this slim book. I personally hope the movie focuses more on human community and less on deus ex machina.

The author never says what issue caused the All Saints congregation to split. ("The wrongs of the split itself were not pertinent to Michael's mission." p. 16) After I finished the book I found information on the split online. I think the author should just have included it; it niggled in my mind the whole time I was reading the book.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first received this book, I did not realize that it was made into a movie. So first I read the book and then I saw the movie. They are both excellent.

A church of about 12 parishioners is preparing to close its doors by bringing in a newly ordained minister who is tasked with the job. Soon a family from Burma begins to attend the church because of the similarities between it and their home Anglican church. These Burmese attenders continued to come and they grew. Along with them came their needs. The pastor decides to challenge the church to help with their needs and to keep the doors open. This is the story.

I loved the story. Included was the background story of the Burmese and their journey to the Anglican church. I found myself pulled, much as the minister in the story was. Plus I found myself cheering for each person in the story.

I highly recommend this book.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.
Posted by Kimber

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When everything in the world seems to be going crazy, this book came along right when I needed it. Proof that there is still good in the world. Proof that there are still people who care about their fellow man. Proof that with faith anything is possible.

[Christopher David · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is that of Rev. Spurlock who served in a small dying rural church destined to be closed to pay of its debts. However the church finds new life when a group of Anglican Burmese refugees become part of the church. The words of Rev. Spurlock's Bishop, "just be a good priest," is what is seen as Rev. Spurlock strives to serve his congregation to the best of his ability.

This is how church history should be written and the book thoroughly engaged me that I completed it in one sitting. Easy to read this book will leave you glowing and your heart warmed.
The book does raise some pertinent and (uncomfortable) questions on what it really means to follow Jesus and what being a missional community in this world means. I pray earnestly we have many more such stories told in the modern church today.

[Damien Rappuhn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't seen the movie, so this review is entirely concerning the book.

This was a pretty good inspirational read. My only criticism for it is that it is about seven chapters too long--everything after chapter 30 felt too drawn-out, like some extended epilogue. Those chapters should have been edited out and the stuff about the making-of-the-movie, if that really needed to exist in print in a popular-level book, could have just been an epilogue. Anyhow, it's an inspirational story, so if you're looking for a pick-me-up or some easy lighthearted read, maybe pick it up.

[Christian Fiction Addiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chronicling the story of how a small struggling church welcomes and is blessed by a community of Karen refugees from Burma, "All Saints" tells the best kind of story - because it is true! Author Jeanette Windle and Reverend Michael Spurlock have done an excellent job at blending their voices and the facts of history together in this book. I approached this book having already watched the movie "All Saints" as well, and so I was uncertain whether this story would hold my interest as books like this usually do. I was pleasantly surprised, because the authors have taken a somewhat different approach to the telling of this remarkable story, providing much more background scenes of the Karen people which added a wonderful and unique element. The book also answers some of the questions that viewers are left with when the movie ends, wondering whatever came of the All Saints church and what lies in their future. As such, I found myself quite enjoying this book, which also includes several pages of photos of the congregation, of actors from the movie, and of the Karen people. You will absolutely fall in love with the characters who star in this story, and be amazed at the true hero - a God who answers prayers in remarkable ways.

If you are anything like me, not only will you be entertained by this well-written book, but you will find your faith bolstered at the same time, at the realization that God can do so much more than we could even expect! I award this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Saints, written by Michael Spurlock and Jeanette Windle, is the true story behind the movie. Reverend Spurlock went back to school to be a pastor later in life. The All Saints Episcopal Church in Smyrna, Tennessee was the first church he served after finishing school. The church had suffered through many of it's members leaving. His responsibility is to take the church of just 25 members and a very large financial commitment and grow the church, make it self supporting and reach out in missions.
Just when the decision is made to sell the church, Reverend Spurlock walks the acreage the church is built on and is given the ideal to use the acreage for gardens to help feed others and sell produce. With the help of the Karen refugees from Burma and others God puts in his life, the church is not sold.
This is an inspiring story. The parts that stand out the most to me is how the people in the All Saints church and the refugees do not want to have separate services. Even though they do not all understand each other, they continue worshiping together and working together to save the church. This story also shows us that God will supply our needs, such as supplying the church with the money to start the gardens, the tractor and the irrigation supplies they needed. This is a good book to read to help get more information that just watching the movie.
I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing. I have written an honest review.

[Annie Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

When we think about church history, our minds often go back to Reformation times in Europe but, of course, God works throughout the whole world and all time.  All Saints presents the harrowing recent history of persecuted Karen Christians in Myanmar (formerly Burma), as well as the miraculous story of a dying American congregation, All Saints, in Tennessee.  Subtitled The Surprising True Story of How Refugees from Burma Brought Life to a Dying Church, this book shows how God works in human lives, cultures, and institutions.

After being wounded in battle and leading a group of refugees through chilling dangers to safety in Thailand, Ye Win returned to the Christian faith of his family.  Some of his fellow Karen people fought and some did not, but all suffered.  Many, like Ye Win, became refugees, living in camps in Thailand or starting anew in other countries.    Eventually Ye Win became the leader of a large group of Christians who were given asylum in the United States.

Meanwhile, in Smyrna, Tennessee, a dwindling, debt-ridden congregation prayed for new members.  To the astonishment and initial consternation of the All Saints Anglo congregation, God brought Ye Win’s community of Karen refugees to Smyrna, and under the guidance of Father Michael Spurlock these two disparate groups, united in the love of Jesus, became one....

The rest of my review is available at http://anniekateshomeschoolreviews.co...

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

"All Saints: The Surprising True Story of How Refugees from Burma Brought Life to a Dying Church" by Michael Spurlock and Jeanette Windle is a gripping story of two men from different ethnic groups that transform a church and a community. This is their story, and how God worked in each of their lives to draw them to Himself, amidst differences and challenges in order to truly be the body of Christ - extending love and serving others for His glory!

Within the first few sentences, the authors drew me in with a story of a young man, whom God would use as an instrument in His hands. I couldn't stop reading! I was impacted by the different people whose stories are intertwined throughout the book and how God used them and how each one had a choice - to choose to walk out their faith in order to minister beyond their comfort zone or in some cases, find another church that would fit their needs.

After reading "All Saints", I have a much better idea of the life of refugees, how the body of Christ can truly extend love and serve others, and how each of our lives can be an example for others and bring God glory.

[City Girl Moves to The Country · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Reflections:
All Saints is based on a true story, that will grab your heart and stir your soul. Within the first chapter, I was drawn into a story of faith and integrity.
Imagine your very first posting out of seminary is a church that seems beyond saving. That is exactly what Reverend Spurlock was faced with. All Saints having just had a major division in its congregation is also in financial ruins. Imagine how the good reverend felt walking into this.
Enter in refugees from Burma, and the story just gets going. The choices we make always affect the people around us, be it positive or negative. This story really highlights Gods ability to shine in dark places, and how one person's decision to trust makes all the difference.
Though this book is short in length a little over 200 pages, it is packed with encouragement and is sure to brighten your day. I would recommend "All Saints" to anyone who is looking for an inspirational read. It would also be an enriching novel for a book club.

[Lou Florio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick, enjoyable read. I think the story can serve as an inspiration to small congregations: radical trust in God, prayerful and Spirit-led discipleship, generous hospitality, amazing grace at work. Some details are glossed over. I suspect the difficulty of community life was not fully unveiled to keep the story flowing. Even the pastor’s departure after three years likely was more complex than depicted. (I don’t doubt his call to New York was Spirit-led, but the fame of the congregation certainly played a part in his call to a wealthy, established congregation in New York City.) I think it a helpful book, but to tell the tail, I suspect some sterilization of the details. This is even more so in the movie - quite different than the book, but still entertaining and inspiring.

[Cindy Brookshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Members of our church book club chose this book, and I'm glad they did. I look forward to discussing it with them. I thoroughly enjoyed the true story of how Burmese refugees helped save a church in Tennessee that had lost most of its congregation to a schism, and brought new life and faith to its members. The co-author, Jeanette Windle, who helped the real Episcopal priest, Michael Spurlock, get this story down in a very readable way, is pretty interesting as well, having authored 19 books, lived in six countries, and mentors writers on five continents. It was worth reading this book, and using it to look at my own role in my own church. Am I welcoming? How do I take my faith outside the doors of the church on Sunday and help my community the rest of the week? I would like to explore more of Windle's books as well. Her blog is outdated and she doesn't have a Goodreads author page, so she must be busy writing somewhere!

[Angela Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

I watched the movie of this story about a month ago and I liked reading the book as it brought more depth to the main characters. It included a lot of Ye Win’s and Michael Spurlock’s background and had an overall biographical feel and didn’t just focus on saving the church as was shown in the movie. I found this book to be an inspiring message of how God works and how He can work through a community that comes together and relies on Him. I also liked that it included what happened even when Spurlock left for another church, showing that it was God working through Spurlock and that He could still work in the church regardless of who was leading it.

[victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a wonderful story writing and compelling to read with all those word are worth capturing and inspiring for all saint hat had living life with facing for all of faith, struggling. The story was very giving, challenging and encouraging for all Saint in community no matter what they are from and how they had become now but we are all going to the same church and believe in the same of Jesus Christ what giving us to be a part of a community and the fellowship of a big family of Christian. I highly recommend to everyone must to read this book. “ I received complimentary a copy of this book free from Bethany House for this review.

[Cheryl Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you believe, they will come. All Saints, a struggling church in Smyrna, Tennessee with 25 devoted members and a mortgage well beyond what they could afford was saved from closing their doors with a community of Karen refugees from Burma. Rev. Michael Spurlock’s first assignment was to pastor All Saints. When he and his family arrived, they did not expect to be faced with a decision of having to sell the church and closing its doors.

What happened next can only happen with faith in Jesus and prayer. Michael walked the church property, prayed and listened to the voice of God. Will they risk everything to plant seeds for the future that might just save them all.

[Monique the Book Geek · Rating 4 out of 5]

In reading this book, I really enjoyed seeing the work of God in Smyrna, Tennessee’s All Saints church, as well as in the lives of the 70+ Karen refugees who found refuge and a new beginning there. The Karen people had gone through such tragedy in their homeland, and yet they never lost their faith in Jesus, or their hope for a better future. Although heart-wrenching at times, this is an incredible true story of faith, family, friendship, bravery, and redemption. I found this book to be very inspirational, and I look forward to seeing the "All Saints" film!

This book was provided to me courtesy of Bethany House via NetGalley.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to get my hands on this book before the movie was released because I always feel the books are better. I had thought it was a story about how a church welcomed in refugees. In fact, I read it as two stories. One story is about a church, a congregation and it’s Pastor who has been tasked with closing down the church. The other story is about Burmese refugees in Tennessee. The two stories collide and the reader gets see faith, hope and the epitome of “love thy neighbour” in action. Excellent read!

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

An uplifting book that I finished in 3 days. It is not just the story of the how All Saints church and Burmese refugees united as brothers and sisters in Christ, but the way the people involved were prepared for this time by God in their own personal life experiences. There is sadness and trauma, but also much laughter in how God answers prayer - but not always in the ways that one expects. This is a strong encouragement that God is always at work and we just need to look to see where he wants us to join in. Just remember to lay aside your prejudices and embrace the adventure.

[Marilyn Upright]

All Saints Chuch in a small town in Tennesse is dying. When the district sends a new priest here to take over it is so they can close the church and sell the 22 acre property to pay the mortage. But when some Karen, Christian refugees from Bermuda, join the church, all that changes. With a lot of hard work from the both the Anglo and Karen church members and a lot of miracles from God and help from friends, soon All Saints is the fastest growing church in Tennessee.

[Sarah Tummey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whenever I've been asked what this book's about, I've said: "It's about a struggling church who helped refugees from Burma". Now, having read it, I can say that I got it completely upside-down. This is such an inspiring story of two different cultures coming together. My only criticism would be that the end's a bit drawn-out.

[Karen Merback · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Powerful as it continued to show God's love and how it affected others to help one another. Very uplifting and eye opening as God's mysterious work being unveiled for all to see. Sometimes we believe things just happen as a coincidence and this book will change your mind in believing God makes things happen for a reason.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantastic story - full of the kind of multinational miracles that I saw growing up - but I have to agree with another reviewer that it kind of feels as though the book was an afterthought once the movie came into being. Still, worth reading.

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walk in faith to watch church grow from being self- centered to being mission centered community.

How faith still works and operates today.

Rated w/"God's not dead", "Heaven is for Real"and "Samuel Morris(Kaboo), young man who brought change to those who met him."

[Barbara Beebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

While reading this book, I think of the life that the Karen people had prior to coming to the United States and how spoiled we American-born are to have lived so comfortable. This is a reminder of how great our country still is because we have been blessed by God.