This book tells the inspiring story of Wendell and Marlyn Seward, and portrays the message of their lives. The local news media where they live has touted them as "The Shepherds of the Valley.  Their authentic love and faith influenced thousands of lives around the world from a humble setting in a valley in the mountains of Northern California.

     Some men and women change the nature of history for the better through the lives they live. “Shepherds of the Valley - How Love Looks in Shoe Leather” is such a story. Whether in the home, school, community or church, the Sewards are known as champions for many whom society has marginalized.  For nearly 40 years, they taught in public schools, pastored churches, served separately in public offices (including both serving as mayor), and took into their home more than 200 teenagers and adults (110+ for 6 months or longer; over 40 for 9 months or longer), many recovering from addictions. 

Each of the Sewards is deeply and meaningfully involved in community service

"Shepherds of the Valley" details dozens of individuals, and many communities and churches, that have been transformed by the unassuming couple living out the Sermon on the Mount in daily life.  There story is a proclamation that unconditional love, generosity, and hospitality emanating from a servant's heart can break down barriers, provide power to live, and to transform lives. 

Pursuing a dream of being involved in God's mission to the world, the Sewards initially experienced deep disappointment before their dreams were fulfilled...in unexpected ways. Though they knew difficulty in their own home and family, through a desire and willingness to serve others, the Sewards etched the love of God on countless hearts.  
  
     Luis Palau observes, "The Lord has used this couple to reach out to hundreds of people all over the western United States. We have heard testimonies of teens who had been on drugs whom God has delivered through the Seward’s ministry. To me their lives have always been a tremendous example of how God can use lives totally given to Him." 

      The lives portrayed in this book are messages written on human hearts. Every person longs to be loved; to know he or she has value; to know there is a purpose for living. Everyone that knew the Sewards experienced some aspect of this, always leaving the encounter richer for the experience. This book contains testimonies from a wide variety of people from all walks of life who have: found hope where there was despair; found assurance where there was doubt; found love when they felt unloved; found food and shelter when they were hungry and cold; found truth to replace the error; found acceptance where there was rejection; found joy where there had been sadness; found victory where there had been defeat.

 

     For nearly forty years Wendell and Marilyn Seward taught in public schools and pastored a highly relational church, known for its joy and freedom, yet powerful in living message. Both have served as mayor, and on numerous boards and committees. Both have received numerous awards for community service. Wendell performed over eight hundred weddings and nearly half as many funerals. Over one-hundred teen-agers and adults have lived in their home for six months or longer. Additional hundreds have stayed for shorter periods of time…even to the present day. Many recovered from addictions and have gone on to fruitful lives. They lived in a three story house, on a three cornered lot, with three doors that were never locked.

 

      "The Sewards have quietly ministered to thousands of people all over the world. Wherever Wendell and Marilyn go, they bring life, energy, hope and healing."  Mike Yaconelli

 

     When you first meet the Sewards you find them very warm and loving, easy to be with, hospitable and kind, and quite interesting conversationalists on a wide range of topics. When you see them in action in the various venues where they navigate daily you become awestruck with the quantity and quality of their involvement in people's lives.  Each Seward's hobby is people! That's right...caring for people, rescuing people, encouraging people, counseling and guiding people.  They go to many...and many come to them.  But it is all about people...the greater human family, all God's creation with immeasurable value and worth.  

 

    The author, who met weekly with the Sewards for twenty years, has sprinkled “reflections” in the various chapters providing a succinct summary of principles embedded in the story. They were New Covenant souls, realizing, as Paul would tell the Corinthians, that “the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” Over the years they made the transition from legalism to love and grace, and then put this into shoe leather. One of the crucibles of learning included tough experiences within their own home, and within their own family. 

 

     Whether in the home, the church, the school, or the community, including the courts, jails, and juvenile halls, the Seward’s were known for their unconditional love and acceptance, their gentleness and compassion, their hospitality and generosity, and as a champion for many society has marginalized.