Marketing whiz says goodbye to real estate, hello to Whalley's homeless

By Jeff Dewsbury

IF MOST of us were in MaryAnne Connor's shoes, we'd likely be riding a wave of financial success, capitalizing on the hottest real estate market in decades.

Over the years -- leaner years, when houses weren't selling for more than their asking prices on the same day they were listed -- Connor built her real estate marketing company, The Connor Group, into one of the most successful firms in the lower mainland.

Just when she could be reaping the rewards of those years in the trenches, Connor decided to get out of the game so she could devote more time to a skid row church that ministers to the homeless and drug addicted residents of Surrey's notorious Whalley neighbourhood.

In the past, Connor has put her marketing skills to use on various high-profile charitable campaigns, and has volunteered at homeless shelters in Vancouver and Whalley. Yet, her decision to close the Connor Group and lay off 10 staff in mid-January took many by surprise.

"People have reacted in a lot of different ways. Mainly a combination of shock and disbelief, and some are grudgingly proud," says Connor, who is trying hard to deflect attention to the plight of the areas' homeless, not what she has 'given up.'

And though her actions caught some off-guard, the businesswoman says her change in lifestyle is a result of the progression of God changing her life. "I'm marketing for Jesus now," she laughs. "Through entering this world that I'd never known, I'm starting to experience what real joy is . . . to a non-believer, that's convincing."

Pastor Steen Laursen, who has run the Gentle Shepherd ministry on King George Highway for three years, has high praise for Connor. "There was just an incredible connection when my wife and I first met her," he says. "She is a person of quality and compassion."

The ministry (supported by the Foursquare Church of Canada) began by serving 60 people a Christmas dinner three years ago. Last year, they fed 325 people at a similar Christmas event. They also provide shelter and food for homeless people year-round now.

When some exceptionally cold weather hit the lower mainland this winter, Laursen began to pray earnestly for someone who would be able to stay overnight and supervise those who have come in from the cold -- the pastor is an amputee who says he's getting on in years and can't physically handle the demands of working overnight anymore.

The day after Laursen prayed for help, Connor -- who had already been volunteering with the ministry -- showed up for Sunday service at the church instead of attending her home church, Oxford Hill in White Rock.

She approached Laursen and immediately asked him if she could help by staying overnight at the church during the cold snap that was happening at the time.

That meeting ultimately led Connor to leave her old occupation behind to devote more time to volunteering. She even opted out of a January speaking gig at a National Association of Home Builders' convention, in the decidedly warmer climes of Las Vegas, in order to spend more time in Whalley.

But Connor says she's experiencing a whole new type of blessing now. "When you stay and look after people from 9:00 at night to 8:00 in the morning -- people who are upset, dope sick, tired, beaten up -- something special starts to happen," says Connor. "You're helping them to the bathroom, feeding them . . . you start to bond."

Connor does not take a wage from the church. Recently, a former client of hers asked to underwrite her ministry work part-time in exchange for some of her marketing expertise.

The change, to what the former business owner says is "real joy" has made it easy to discuss her faith with people as well.

"I sat down with the landlord of my former business. He's from Austria, he's been through the war and he's an atheist. I was able to explain why I was able to make this change . . . I'm not in 'the dance.' I'm not in that game anymore."

To get in contact with Gentle Shepherd Street Church call 604-588-7278.