A House Built on Love is the Christian autobiography of Ed Walker, telling the story of how and his wife Rachel developed and put into practice, in partnership with local churches, a vision to provide a home to ex-prisoners, refugees and victims of abuse.
The story of how Ed and his wife Rachel developed and put into practice, in partnership with local churches, a vision to provide a home to ex-prisoners, refugees and victims of abuse.
In 2010, Ed Walker founded Hope into Action, a charity with a vision - of the church at the forefront of the fight against homelessness.
A House Built on Love tells the remarkable story of Hope into Action's rapidly-growing mission and how it has worked in partnership with churches to supply homes, support, friendship and love for the homeless and marginalized, earning the Guardian's Public Service Award in 2017 and an award from the Centre for Social Justice.
This is a powerful, eye-opening Christian autobiography that provides insight into the difficult reality of homelessness in the UK. With raw honesty Ed relates the struggle as he and his wife Rachel stepped out in faith, developed a new theology of sharing and saw both tragic and wonderful outcomes, and shows how we can meet and grow in Christ as we interact with those in the shadows and those hidden in darkness.
Visionary, inspiring and touching, A House Built on Love is a book for anyone who wants to know more about Hope into Action and their mission of housing the homeless. Their story will leave you with a stronger understanding of one of the most important social issues of today, and show how reaching out with love and compassion can have a life-changing impact.
“This book will challenge any reader in the very core of their being.”
I’ve admired Hope into Action for some time not least because it has a holistic depth to it. This book both highlights the needs in our country and inspires us to realise we can actually do something. My hope is, this important writing will challenge and encourage people and churches right across the country. Rt Revd Rowan Williams, Baron Williams of Oystermouth, former Archbishop of Canterbury
Ed Walker’s personal story is exciting and challenging in equal measure. The charity he leads, Hope into Action, is creatively pioneering a significant Christian response to the urgent housing needs of our nation. I recommend this book wholeheartedly. Mandy Marshall: Co-Founder and Director of Restored Relationships
A powerful and inspiring story of the gospel at work in today’s world. There is so much here to encourage us all about the power of the Church and the potential for transformation in the lives of those most in need in our society. Paul Harcourt, National Leader, New Wine England
I highly recommend this book. It links the local church with the homeless community and with some of the most broken. This book will build faith, encourage perseverance and could even be a transforming tool to encourage more people to fulfil the good works which God has called them to do. Roy Crowne, Executive Director, Hope Together
Inspiring, encouraging, and saturated with deep wisdom. Steve Clifford, former General Director, Evangelical Alliance
Elaine Storkey
Ed Walker’s attractively written story tells how Christian commitment and determination can be gloriously effective in meeting human needs. I have for many years been a great admirer of Hope into Action. Long may this excellent charity grow and flourish. Jonathan Aitken, former cabinet minister, ex-offender and now prison chaplain
Ed's background is as a humanitarian aid worker with Tearfund. He worked for nine years in war and drought and countries with high malnutrition, working mainly with displaced populations. Countries he worked included: Burundi, Sierra Leone, Liberia, South Sudan, Darfur, Northern Kenya. His final post was as Director of Tearfund's largest ever programme in Darfur where he was responsible for 400 staff working in one of the world's most dangerous operating environments.Prior to that he graduated from Exeter University where he had played hockey for England Universities, and in the national league.After his stint in Darfur he worked for the YMCA for three years before giving up the position of `Director of Client Services' to start a tiny charity. Hope into Action has now grown into a charity with over 50 homes. In Peterborough now, the charity has over 13 churches giving the homeless a home.Ed is married to Rachel. They met overseas and Rachel is a nurse. They have three children: Iona - 11, Elana - 9 and Jos - 6.Ed lives in Peterborough and attends Bretton Baptist church.
People leaving prison; refugees; victims of abuse and prostitution. All struggle to find a home, to build relationships, to get back on their feet. The root cause of homelessness is relational: the homeless suffer not just the lack of a roof, but a lack of love. But what if someone could provide not only a home, but also a network? Real people, who knew what they were doing, and who cared?In 2007, Ed Walker published with Monarch Books a book called Reflections from the Scorched Earth . It described his nine years of living and working in six distinct war zones - notably in Darfur - as a Christian humanitarian aid worker with Tearfund. Returning to the UK, Ed worked for the YMCA for three years. But before long Ed and Rachel felt the call to start a genuinely Christian charity working with ex-offenders and the homeless. The private rental sector was out of reach for many, and government provision was horribly inadequate. Both problems have grown massively in the subsequent years.Scraping together every penny they could find, in 2010 the young couple set up a charity, Hope into Action, bought the first home for the homeless in partnership with their church.This charity has now grown to fifty homes across fifteen towns and cities. Hope into Action have won numerous awards both secular and Christian. Hope into Action tells Ed's story of faith and struggle as he and his wife saw the need, felt the call and stepped out in faith, developed a new theology of sharing and saw both tragic and wonderful results. It explains how we meet and grow in Christ as we interact with those in the shadows and those hidden in darkness.
This item is eligible for simple returns within 30 days of delivery. Return shipping is the responsibility of the customer. See our returns policy for further details.
