In this series of reminiscences, Laura Barclay explores the nature of faith, justice, and community in ways that engage the reader and invite response. With Us in the Wilderness is a valuable resource for shaping spiritual formation in individuals and groups.

—Bill J. Leonard
James and Marilyn Dunn Professor of Baptist Studies
Professor of Church History
Wake Forest University

This is that rare personal narrative—related with all the immediacy of the events and feelings as Laura lived them, but also with a clear-eyed gift of reflection that invites us into the story. The story we end up sharing with Laura is not primarily her faith and life journey, but a shared journey in which we all have a place. She invites us to rethink how all our stories can be entry points for God’s justice, reconciliation, and compassion.

—Gail R. O’Day
Dean and Professor of New Testament and Preaching
Wake Forest University School of Divinity

Laura Barclay’s stirring spiritual memoir, With Us in the Wilderness, is cool spring water to a dry, barren soul. Read it and remember we serve a God who invites us to question, to seek—for it is in our doubting that God reveals himself best.

—Karen Spears Zacharias
Author of Mother of Rain

Reverend Laura Barclay is a gifted minister and writer. In this well-written, but entirely relatable book, she generously shares moments from her own human journey (both good and not-so-good). In doing so, Laura models for her readers a meaningful way to live the Christian life—remembering where we've been, and then reflecting on God’s presence throughout the journey.

Laura has arranged her book in sections, each with the heading of biblical virtues (Faith, Hope, Love) or cardinal virtues (Prudence, Justice, Temperance, Courage). Each chapter, with portions of her own life story and faith journey woven beautifully throughout, is followed by probing and thoughtful questions. These reflection questions excellently prompt the readers to pause and do some reflecting of our own. The questions are also ideal for group study, for one can immediately see their endless conversational potential.

As someone who went to college in Kentucky, and has spent considerable adult time there, I was quickly drawn to Laura’s story of moving back home to the Bluegrass state (even though my team colors are blue while hers are red). And as the father of two daughters, I found her stories of Téa both hilarious and deeply moving.

Rev. Barclay writes not from a position of privilege, or someone who’s “arrived,” or someone who has it all figured out. Instead, she comes across as a fellow traveler on the road. In reflecting upon her own life and God’s call upon her, Laura invites us to do the same.

While Laura’s story is certainly her own, in the beautiful telling of it, she allows me to see my own story in hers. And perhaps that’s the greatest gift of this book.

—Daniel Glaze
Pastor, First Baptist Church of Ahoskie