In 1968, a full year before the Stonewall Riots that began the historic start of the gay liberation movement in the United States, a young gay minister started a church that would change the lives of countless gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and straight people throughout the world. Meeting with just 12 people in his living room, Reverend Troy Perry began a ministry of hope and healing that continues to this day to more than 300 congregations in 19 different nations.

This incredible book, written by Reverend Troy Perry, founder of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, and co-authored by Thomas Swicegood, details the early life of both Reverend Perry and UFMCC. Rather than simply a chronological retelling of the histories, the book is divided into individual themes: Reverend Perry's childhood, his struggles to accept his homosexuality, the history of women in the MCC churches, international outreach of the denomination, the impact of AIDS on the denomination, and other topics.

My favorite chapters involve the struggles of the early congregations. So many of us who have come to MCC in the past 10 years aren't aware of what the early congregations endured. Some of the more horrific stories involve arson of MCC churches, murder of church members, rejection of the congregations by their local communities, and in one case, an actual cross burning on the grounds of the MCC in Houston, Texas. But within the stories of horror are stories of hope, courage, and a love of God that stands pure and true.

I am unable to complete this review without offering a personal testimony to what this denomination, and this man means to me. For many years I too thought that God couldn't love me because I was gay, but one Sunday in February of 1996 I was taken to Covenant Metropolitan Community Church in Birmingham Alabama by two friends who thought I needed to see what MCC was all about. Reverend Perry was preaching that day in honor of Covenant MCC's 15 year anniversary, and when he told the congregation, "I want you all to turn to each other and say, 'You're in the right place,' " tears began to flow from my eyes. I knew that I had found a home and that God loved me after all. Recently Reverend Perry was once again at our church to help us celebrate our 20th anniversary, and I was able to thank him for what he and MCC have done for me and my relationship with God. The tears flowed again, and I wasn't ashamed of a single one of them.

Reverend Perry is one of the most sincere, loving, and genuine Christians you'll ever meet, and I urge you to purchase this book even if you're not a member of an MCC congregation. You will encounter a man who is not a saint, but an ordinary person who has trusted God to give him the strengths and talents to do God's will and make a difference in people's lives.

I discovered this book by accident in an Edinburgh book shop in 1993. I had no active interest in religion at that time but for some reason I felt compelled to buy it. I "devoured" the book in 24 hours and have re-read it several times since.

The book is an honest and inspiring account of Rev Perry's life and the circumstances surrounding the formation of the Metropolitan Community Church. As well as his own testimony, we are treated to the stories of many other people who have helped made MCC what it is in the 19 countries world-wide where its congregations (now over 300 in number) minister.

Two years later I helped found MCC in Edinburgh, Scotland as a result of reading this book. No other book as had such a direct impact on my day to day life.

Even if you are not religious, this book will gave you an insight on the striggles of lesbian and gay people of faith within a Christian church which has often closed its ears to Christ's message of inclusivity and hope.

I first read this book in 1992. I was going to school in Florence, Alabama and I drove 70 miles one-way to Huntsville, Alabama to a gay/lesbian bookstore. I read that book in one afternoon. It brought tears of joy to my eyes and my heart was deeply touched at the courage of Rev. Troy Perry He is an inspiration to all gay/lesbian people everywhere.Words just cannot describe how I feel.