“Same Kind of Different As Me” is a 100 percent true story filled with references to everything TCU-related, even your stereotypical sorority and fraternity affairs. Author and TCU alumnus, Ron Hall, teams with Denver Moore, who spent most of his life in present-day slavery and homelessness, to tell the story of his wife’s dream for change among the homeless in Fort Worth.

A Woman With a Mission
Determined to make a difference, she was unaware of the impact she would have. Deborah Hall’s heart for the homeless on East Lancaster Street changed the lives of many, especially her husband, Ron, a successful art dealer active around the world.

In response to an article in the Star-Telegram about homelessness, Deborah Hall and her husband, though skeptical at first, joined the Union Gospel Mission pursuing Mrs. Hall’s vision for change. Mrs. Hall’s dedication and sacrifice touched many, but was interrupted by a fatal discovery: cancer. Her legacy lives on and has impacted the world far beyond what the Halls thought possible. 

Ironically, Mr. Hall’s mission for the homeless had nothing to do with his own desires, as his wife’s persistence led to his initial involvement. Now he is the one carrying out her dream, raising money for the homeless and spreading inspiration around the world with her story.

“A couple weeks after Debbie’s death, we were building a stone wall around her grave when Denver (Moore) started laughing uncontrollably,” Hall said. “He said, ‘Ron, ain’t nobody ever gonna believe our story. We gotta write a book.’” This was a puzzling phenomenon coming from a man who didn’t know how to read or write, Hall said.

The death of Mrs. Murchison, widow of one of the richest men in the world at one time, prompted her children to leave her estate in Dallas to Hall and Moore. Still living on the streets of Fort Worth after Mrs. Hall’s death, Moore turned down the offer to move into the mansion.

“Finally my son Carson, also a TCU grad, went out to East Lancaster and told Denver he wasn’t leaving unless he came with him,” Hall said. “So he went from a life on the streets to moving into a 22,000 sq. ft. mansion.”

This didn’t last long. Moore quickly sold the “ghost house,” as he called it, and moved into Hall’s home, also a part of the estate, down the street. Here the two friends began composing their story – Hall writing, Moore remembering.

“You can’t never forget where you came from,” Moore said. “Where you came from sets the path for you to be on today.”

A Hopeless Drifter With Wisdom and Discernment
Denver Moore spent the first 30 years of his life in Louisiana picking cotton in “virtual slavery,” as described in the book.

“Most folks these days ain’t got no idea what it’s like to be that poor,” Moore wrote. “Me and the other folks on the plantation was down so low we didn’t own nothing ‘cept the tin can that hung on our britches so we could get us a drink.”

Moore eventually hopped a train which brought him to Fort Worth, where he spent many years on the streets, eventually meeting Mr. and Mrs. Hall at the mission. With Mrs. Hall’s persistent prompting, Moore and Mr. Hall began a friendship that would develop into a brotherly bond to last a lifetime.

Moore is now a motivational speaker, artist and volunteer for homeless causes. Hall jokes that Moore has probably made history as the first author with a bestseller who cannot read or write!
Moore continues to visit his friends from the streets, despite the fact that his lifestyle has changed drastically.
   

“If you don’t put yourself above the people, you can always communicate with them,” Moore said.  Hall explained that Moore taught him to view the homeless as God does.
“God wants us to bless these people, not judge them,” Hall said.

An Overwhelming Impact
“Same Kind of Different As Me” is ranked number 23 on the NY Times Bestseller List.  Praised by admirable supporters such as First Lady Laura Bush and Governor Rick Perry, Hall and Moore are now working on a movie based on their non-fiction bestseller.

Mark Clayman, Executive Producer for the Academy Award-nominated film “The Pursuit of Happyness,” is producing the movie, currently in the screenwriting phase, Hall said.
“The most inspirational and emotionally gripping story of faith, fortitude and friendship I have ever read,” Clayman said, of “Same Kind of Different As Me.”

The book has spread to 57 different countries. Hall recently heard from a Bible study group in Tanzania that is reading the book.
Hall and Moore travel the nation speaking an average of 20 times per month, using the opportunities to raise money for the homeless in each city they visit.

“We’ve raised millions of dollars,” Hall said. “Everywhere we go we raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the homeless in that city.”   
   

Amidst their busy schedules, Hall and Moore continue to keep in touch with the Union Gospel Mission in Fort Worth every few days. They’ve hosted about 250 events in the last 20 months and continue to raise money for and speak on their behalf, Hall said.      
   

These days, thousands of books arrive at Hall and Moore’s home by truckload every week from fans eagerly requesting signed copies.
   

“We look forward to days off,” Hall said. “We have to turn down about 10 requests for speaking engagements every day because we just don’t have the time.”
   

The authors will visit the White House in mid-May, as Laura Bush will host a luncheon in their honor. They will also speak at the Celebration of Reading for the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy during their visit.  Barbara Bush wrote in her endorsement of the book, “Denver Moore and Ron Hall’s story is one that moved me to tears. The friendship that forms between these two men at a time when both were in great need is an inspiration to all of us to be more compassionate to everyone we come in contact with.”
   

Recognized by prominent figures across the nation and by many people around the world, Hall and Moore said they are blessed that God has used Mrs. Hall’s story to make such a difference.
   

“We thought the book would be popular in Fort Worth, but that’s it,” Hall said. “We’re very fortunate because we know without a doubt that God is using our story and Debbie’s life and Denver’s life to help homeless people all across America. So many wonderful things have happened.”