Houston has more than 10,000 homeless and unemployed people. Many are on the streets around St. John's. The book's author notes that these people might seem the least likely to renew a dying church, and yet they are precisely the group that has become the largest body of new members at St. John's during the past five years. Juanita and Rudy Rasmus are local Houston people. Neither has the traditional theological seminary preparation for ministry.
Worship is cited as a key ingredient in the transformation of both congregations.
They also address issues related to education, economics, health, housing and social services.