JUDAS CHURCH

Daniel Whyte III

with Daniel D.P. Whyte IV

Copyright 2015. Torch Legacy Publications. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner,
except for brief quotations included in a review of the book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are
products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to
actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Chapter 1
The day I almost died was the day I found new life.
I woke up in the hospital room, bewildered as to why I
was there. The room was dark. A curtain was drawn partially
on the side in front of my bed and I couldnt see the door.
How did I get here?
Staring up into the darkness, I suddenly became aware
of pain in my body a low, throbbing pain in my head. I
shut my eyes again and tried to concentrate. The last thing I
remembered was driving very fast along the winding road to
a friends house. It was raining, but I knew the road so well
Id driven it many times that I didnt bother to slow down.
I was on my way to celebrate college graduation with some
friends.
I tried to think harder, but I didnt remember anything
after that.

Hours later, when I reawakened, daylight was shining

into the room from behind the thin beige curtains that
covered the large window to my right. My head still hurt,
and, for the first time, I felt the bandage on it. I could hear
the beeping sounds of hospital machinery and the sounds of
feet and wheels in the hall just outside my room. There was a
covered dish on the small table to my right, but I wasnt
hungry, so I let it be. I wished someone would come tell me
what was wrong with me.
As if on cue, the door opened and rapid footsteps

approached my bedside. A hand appeared and yanked back

the curtain around my bed.
Dude, what happened to you? Leon said looking
down at me, the long, lightning-bolt shaped scar on the left
side of his face stood out stark brown against his tanned
skin.
Im hoping you can tell me, I said. The last thing I
remember was driving. And arent you supposed to be in
Indonesia right now?
Our flight got canceled. We had to reschedule for later
today. Leon waved his hand dismissively. Which is good,
because you were in a car accident.
Oh, man, I said. My car. I had a black, custommade Spyder Porsche.
Its a total loss, Leon said. Its a miracle you got out
alive.
My heart sank. I loved that car.
Besides, you have bigger problems to worry about than
a car, Leon said his tone growing more serious.
My brow furrowed. Like a concussion? I said.
No. Another vehicle was involved in the accident. The
two adults are alive and theyre gonna be okay. But, their
little girl Leon shook his head. Shes in a coma they say
she suffered severe trauma.
Oh, man I shook my head. I hope she doesnt die.
I gotta ask you something else, Jaidon, Leon said.
What?

If you had died last night, what would have happened

to you?
I shrugged. Id just be dead, I guess. I was still
thinking about the little girl in a coma.
Thats not what I mean, Leon said. What would have
happened to you? Where would you have gone?
I could see where he was going with this. All through
my graduate years of study at the University of Maryland he
kept trying to talk to me about spiritual stuff. I knew all that
he was about to say now: Im a sinner destined for eternal
punishment and separation from God. But, God loves me
and he sent his son, Jesus Christ, to save me. If I wanted to
be cleansed of my sin and be sure that I would go to Heaven
when I died, I had to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation.
You nearly died, man, Leon said. You could
be dead right now. He snapped his finger. Gone. Out of
here. What then? Something happens after that Heaven,
Hell. You dont just cease to exist.
I was quiet for a moment before answering. I see what
you mean.

Chapter 2
Right there in that hospital room, Leon led me in what
he called the sinners prayer. It wasnt as difficult as I
thought it would be. I wasnt sure if I felt any different or
anything, but I didnt say anything to Leon about that. I was
still thinking about the girl in a coma.
Leon left as the nurse came in to check my vitals. She
told me I needed to eat to regain my strength. So, I ate the
lukewarm breakfast of lumpy eggs, hard grits, bacon, and
orange juice while watching the local TV news.
I was scooping up the last of the grits when I saw my
black Spyder Porsche appear on the screen. Leon was right:
it was a mangled mess. But I didnt care about it anymore.
My eyes were on the silver minivan the front of which had
been crushed; the hood was bent up and the windshield was
shattered. I was amazed that anyone had come out alive.
Last night a horrific accident took place just outside
Baltimore, the reporter was saying. Four people were
involved, one of them a child who is in a coma at Sinai
Hospital. The three adults the driver of the Porsche and
the mother and father of the child who were in the minivan
are also hospitalized. They are expected to survive.
I prayed my first serious prayer just then. God, I said.
Please help that little girl survive. Let her come out of that
coma. Ill do anything you want me to do if you let her live. I
said Amen afterward because Id heard Leon do that more
than once. I didnt know what Amen meant.
Just as I finished the breakfast, the hospital room door

swung open and a police officer came in. My throat

tightened.
The officers stomach bulged so much that it looked like
the buttons on his shirt would burst off any moment. He was
followed by a tall man in a suit with a clipboard.
Jaidon York? the tall man asked looking at his
clipboard.
I nodded.
He flashed a badge. Im Investigator Thomas Lourdes
with the Baltimore Police Department. He glanced at the TV
screen. I assume you know why were here.
I nodded again.
He sat down in the chair with a sigh as the policeman
stood quietly behind him. Mr. York, you want to tell me
what happened last night?
Im not sure, I said. Ill tell you what I remember.
Mr. Lourdes nodded. Go ahead.
Yesterday, I graduated with my Masters in Business
Administration from the University of Maryland, I said.
After the ceremony, I was headed up to a friends house up
north of here. We were going to have a little celebration
pizza, ice cream you know.
Had you been up there before? asked Mr. Lourdes.
Yes, sir, I said. Several times. So, I was driving. I was
about halfway there. I dont remember anything else. I woke
up here.
The investigator nodded. Had you been drinking

before you began driving?

No, sir. I dont drink.
Were you sleep deprived?
I shrugged. Thats relative, I thought. Not anymore
than any other graduate student, I said. But I had gotten
up earlier than usual yesterday.
Were you driving over the speed limit?
Honestly, I cant remember what the speed limit was. I
dont think there are any signs on that road. If there was a
speed limit, I probably wasnt paying attention to it. I have a
weakness for fast cars, I admitted.
I can tell, the investigator said flipping over a paper
on his clipboard. You also own a Saleen S7 and a Hennessey
Venom.
I gulped. Yes, sir. Then I quickly added, The
Hennessey was a gift from my father.
Mm-hmm, the investigator said. Mr. York, our CSI
team has found that the skid marks on the road indicate that
you were driving outside of the right lane. Do you think
thats an accurate statement?
That sounded accurate to me, and I knew that would
probably make me responsible for the accident. If the little
girl died, I could be charged with vehicular manslaughter.
Im afraid so, I said. But the road is narrow and navigating
those curves is tricky.
Especially if you are driving very fast, the investigator
said.

I swallowed hard. Yes, especially if

The investigator looked over his notes. Well, Mr. York,
it looks like thats all we need from you right now. He took
out his business card and placed it on the small table beside
my bedside. Well be in touch if we need anything else from
you. My contact information is on my card.
Thank you, I said.

Chapter 3
I was released from the hospital the following day. The
nurse gave me some painkillers to ease my headaches from
the concussion I had suffered, but Im sure my constant
worrying about the girl in the coma didnt help.
The other thing I worried about was the decision I
made in the hospital room. It still sounded a bit strange to
think it to myself: I am a Christian.
Laying in bed late Saturday morning, I said it aloud: I
am a Christian now. I looked around the bedroom of my
penthouse almost expecting something to happen. Nothing
happened. The white walls with the black and white
photographs of my favorite NASCAR drivers Dale
Earnhardt, Richard Petty, and Ned Jarrett stared back at
me. I got out of bed, took two painkillers, and walked into
the living room. I sat down on the long, white couch and
stared out of the two huge, floor-to-ceiling windows. From
the twelfth floor of the Ritz-Carlton Residences, I could see
the azure waters of the inner harbor of Baltimore.
I was still thinking about this new thing of being a
Christian. I had never been a really religious person. I
remember my grandfather praying when I was a kid and my
parents let me spend the Christmas holiday with them on
their farm in Massachusetts. But that was about it. My
parents werent religious either. So, I was pretty much lost.
I picked up the phone to call Leon. I wanted to know
what I was supposed to do next. I called him twice, and he
picked up on the last ring sounding groggy.

Hello.
Leon, I said. You still sleeping? Its almost ten o
clock.
Its eleven oclock at night here, man.
Oh, right, I said. Youre in Indonesia now. I can call
you back at another time.
Nah, right nows fine. Whats up?
I need to ask you something about this being a
Christian thing. Whats next?
Next, you need to start attending church, Leon said.
That way youll be around other believers and youll start
learning more about the decision you made. I should have
told you that when I was there. Im sorry.
Its okay, I said. You had a lot on your mind. So,
which church? I continued. I know there are a lot of them.
Right. I recommend City of Fellowship Bible Church.
Its in south Baltimore, Leon said. You should get in touch
with Manley Reeves. He and his sister go there and hell be
glad to show you the ropes.
Okay, cool, I said. Talk to you later.

Manley Reeves worked for the ROTC program at the

University of Maryland. He had tried to recruit me when I
first started attending there, but I already had a job lined up
with Wegel & Co. Marketing Services when I graduated. (My
dad co-founded the $500 million company nearly thirty
years ago.) Even though I turned Manley down, we remained

good friends throughout my time in college.

Jaidon, he said when he picked up the phone. I
didnt get to congratulate you on your graduation, so
congratulations!
Thank you, I said. I have some other good news too.
I briefly told him about my decision to become a
Christian.
Man, thats great, he said. I always knew you would
come around. God answers prayer.
I wondered if God would answer my prayer about
saving the life of the girl who was in a coma from the car
accident.
I told Manley what Leon told me about attending
church with him.
Tell you what, Manley said, the Saturday evening
service starts at eight. Ill come out to your place and pick
you up around seven-thirty. We can ride together.
Okay, Ill be ready, I said.

So that was that. I was going to go to church as a

Christian that evening.

Chapter 4
Id never been to a real church service before.
The last time I was even in a church was a couple of
years ago when some of my college buddies and I were
volunteering for the Obama campaign. It was five of us. We
were wearing our blue shirts with the slogan Forward
emblazoned on them, and we were going door-to-door in a
middle class neighborhood asking people if they were
registered to vote and if we could put an Obama campaign
sign in their yard.
It started to rain unexpectedly, and we ran back to the
corner where our van was supposed to be waiting for us.
Unfortunately, the driver had evidently decided to take off.
So, we were standing in a church parking lot us and our
stacks of campaign fliers and brochures getting wet.
There were about half a dozen cars parked around the
church. After about five minutes, another car drove up and
an elderly white man got out.
Yall kids getting wet, he shouted over to us.
Were waiting for our ride, I told him.
Come on and wait inside, he said.
So we followed him into a relatively small sanctuary
fifteen pews on either side of the aisle with six tall, opaque
glass windows set evenly along each wall. There were about a
dozen people sitting in the choir box, rehearsing songs that
sounded strange to me at the time. Im not sure whether the
meaning of the words was lost on me, or whether I was just

distracted by the blond girl with the smile like sunshine who
came down from the choir box to offer us drinks. (Of course,
I said yes.) I learned her name was Elizabeth Wesson. I
would have tried to talk to her, but she was wearing a
Women for Romney t-shirt. Not sure we would have gotten
along too well.

I pondered that memory as I waited in the lobby of the

Ritz-Carlton Residences for Manley to arrive. The late
evening sky was a deep and troubled blue like a bruise
the same color as the dark blue suit that I was wearing. It
was the only thing I had that looked acceptable for church
attendance. I didnt want to stand out just look, listen, and
learn.
Manley pulled into the turnabout and honked once.
Good evening, he said as I got into his Jeep.
Good evening. I looked over at him in surprise. He
was wearing fatigue shorts and a polo shirt.
He looked at me and evidently knew what I was
thinking. You dont have to dress up to go to church, he
said. God doesnt care about your clothes. Its your heart
that counts.
Uh-huh. I guessed I would be the one who stood out.

About fifteen minutes later, we pulled into the parking

lot of City of Fellowship Bible Church south of Baltimore.
The night was hot and muggy. The parking lot was full. I was
surprised to see this many people going to church on a

Saturday. Usually, Id be firing up my Xbox to play Need for

Speed: Most Wanted this time of the week.
Inside, the sanctuary was dimly lit. Most of the people
sitting in the movie theater-style seats were dressed casually
like Manley and they were pretty much in our age group too.
I saw very few who looked like they were over the age of
forty. We sat down in the middle closer to the back. The
stage resembled a theater with thick red curtains on either
side. People chatted or looked at their phones. About five
minutes after we sat down, a drummer with burnt red hair
and thick sideburns came on stage and tapped his
drumsticks together. He was joined by a guitarist dressed in
faded jeans and sandals, and two female singers who held
microphones. This was interesting; I had been expecting a
pipe organ, a piano, and a choir.
Look, listen, and learn, I reminded myself.
The quartet started singing songs I was totally
unfamiliar with. Others in the audience started singing as
well. Even Manley tapped his fingers and sang along
although he wasnt much of a singer, so he kept his voice low.
Thankfully, the words to these songs were displayed on
screens on either side of the stage. Besides textbooks, I didnt
do much casual reading, but I could tell that the words on
the screen were filled with passion and meaning. So while
the rest sang or hummed along, I sat riveted and let the
words burn in my mind.

He is jealous for me,

Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree

Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy

When all of a sudden, I am unaware
of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
and I realize just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are for me
And oh, how He loves us, oh
Oh, how He loves us, how He loves us all

Water you turned into wine, opened the eyes of the

blind
Theres no one like you, none like You!
Into the darkness you shine, out of the ashes we rise
Theres no one like you none like You!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger,
God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power,
Our God! Our God!

Chapter 5
I was enjoying the music so much that I didnt want the
songs to end. I could tell that the words meant something to
the people around me. A chill ran through my chest as I
realized that they now meant something to me as well.
When the quartet left the stage, a man whom I assumed
was the pastor walked out carrying a stool. One of the video
guys, wearing headphones and dressed in a black t-shirt,
black slacks, and black shoes, ran onto the stage, set down a
small accent table, put a Bible on top of it, and ran off. The
pastor-guy looked to be in his late thirties. He had short,
black hair which was plastered down on top of his head
making him look like one of those Roman guys
from Gladiator. He wore John Lennon-style glasses. Dressed
in black slacks, a plaid dress shirt, and sneakers, he was
dressed just as casual as the congregation. His name flashed
beneath his image on the big screen Pastor Johnny
Dunmore.
Evening, everybody, he said as he set the stool down
beside the accent table and sat down. Good to be here
tonight.
A murmur of response rippled through the crowd.
Pastor Johnny picked up the Bible and flipped through
it before setting it back down. He closed his eyes and took a
deep breath. There wont be a sermon tonight, he said.
Pausing and swallowing hard, he continued. Were all family
here, you know, and I just want to talk to you from my heart
tonight. He looked around slowly at the crowd. He seemed

to be making eye contact with certain attendees.

Those of you who have been following my blog for a
while know that Ive been on a bit of a spiritual journey
asking the big questions about God, about faith, about the
meaning of life, about why evil exists. All that stuff. He
paused again and swallowed hard. I made a mental note to
look up this guys blog.
Well, tonight, Ive reached the end of that journey,
Pastor Johnny continued. And I know some of you might
disagree with the conclusion Ive come to. And thats okay.
Were a family and, in families, people often have
disagreements with each other, but they still love each other.
And, thats precisely the reason why Im sharing this with
you first because were a family, and we love each other.
No matter what happens after tonight, we will still be bound
by our love for each other and the steps on this journey
called life that we have shared together.
Manley fidgeted beside me. He seemed uncomfortable
with this line of talk. I wished the pastor would get on with
whatever he was going to say.
Even though, at this point, our steps may diverge, we
will still always be connected in some way. Pastor Johnny
took another deep breath as a thin sheen of sweat appeared
on his forehead. And then, his lips trembling, he said the last
thing I expected to hear. Like I said, Ive reached the end of
a spiritual journey, and I have come to the conclusion that I
no longer believe in God.
A low but clearly audible gasp emanated from the
crowd around me as if everybody had been holding their

breath and suddenly released it at the same time. Stunned, I

jerked forward in my seat. My throat tightened and I
coughed to clear it. I looked around to see what reaction
everybody else was having. Most just sat still staring at the
stage an expression between surprise and dismay on their
faces. Beside me, Manley touched his fingers to his forehead.
His lips moved; I guess he was praying. Very slowly, a man to
the far right of the auditorium got up and walked out shaking
his head. Two others quickly followed him.
Pastor Johnny began to speak again. I know, I know.
This is shocking for most of you all of you. He held out his
hands palms down, like he was trying to calm a rowdy crowd.
But I feel like I just cant go on teaching and preaching stuff
that I dont believe. Ive already submitted a letter to the
elders of this church regarding my decision. Ill post the
same letter on my blog tonight so you all can read it. At that,
a murmur ran through the crowd.
If you want me to stay on as your pastor as your
guide on our collective spiritual journey I will. But that is
totally up to you and the elders. More murmurs, this time
louder, ran through the crowd. From the tone and facial
expressions of some of the people, they were ready to march
onto the stage and throw the pastor out.
Pastor Johnny picked up the Bible and opened it again.
In closing, he said, I want to leave you with these words
from Jesus Christ: and you will know the truth, and the
truth will set you free.' He closed the Bible and looked up at
the crowd. Tonight, ladies and gentlemen friends, after
months and weeks of searching and wondering and thinking,
I have found my truth and I am free.

Chapter 6
Man, that is jacked up, I said as Manley and I got
back into his Jeep.
Across the parking lot, other church members were
gathering in groups of twos and threes talking about what
they had just witnessed. I kept hearing things like: I cant
believe this, or This must be some kind of joke, or He
must be crazy to think he can still be our pastor; I hope the
elders get rid of him. A very few people said, Well, at least
he was honest.
Manley kept shaking his head and muttering to himself.
Im really sorry you had to hear that, he said finally. Trust
me, that is not what goes on during a typical church service.
I hoped not. I was still trying to figure out how to frame
what I had just witnessed. But, it just didnt fit. No matter
how I tried, I couldnt wrap my mind around it. Sure, Id
heard of atheists before. Id met some of them who were
members of the Secular Student Alliance at the University of
Maryland. But Id never imagined that someone who
believed in God much less a pastor would say he just
didnt believe anymore. That sounded impossible to me.
The songs that I heard at the beginning of the service
kept replaying in my mind. Snatches of the lyrics filtered in
and out of my thoughts. I couldnt deny what I felt while
listening to them. They at least made some sense of what I
had experienced.
Manley was silent as he drove.

I need a Bible, I said remembering the verses that

Leon had shared with me multiple times.
Just download the YouVersion app, Manley said
stirring out of his own thoughts.
I got my iPhone out and typed in Uversion in the app
store. Nothing came up. Manley looked over. Y-O-Uversion, he said.
I typed it in and tapped the download button. Half a
minute later it popped up on my home screen right beside
the Playboy app. That is not a good look at all, I thought. I
knew that if I was a changed man, I had to change my ways. I
tapped the Playboy app and deleted it. Then I tapped the
YouVersion app and it opened up.
Whats with all these versions? I asked.
The Bible is a book written over thousands of years in
languages other than English, Manley said. The different
versions make the Bibles original text available for us to read
and understand in our own language. They basically all say
the same thing. Some have more modern language to make it
easier to grasp. I read the NIV.
Im guessing this King James version has nothing to
do with Lebron, right?
Right, Manley laughed. Thats the Bible your
grandmother probably has the one with the thees and
thous in it.
I tapped the NIV version and read the first thing that
came up: In the beginning God created the heavens and the
earth. It was a surprisingly simple line straightforward

and to the point. God created the heavens and the earth. It
was a sentence that sounded as though it didnt expect to be
argued with. I thought about Pastor Johnny again. Clearly,
something had gone wrong with him.
So whats going to happen to Pastor Johnny whatshis-name now? I asked mostly to get Manley to talk about it.
He shrugged and ran his fingers through his militarystyle crew cut. Look, I know theres a lot of questions going
through your head. Theres a lot of questions going through a
lot of church members heads. All I know is, God is real. I
know that from personal experience. He jabbed his thumb
at me as he navigated a turn in the road. You know it from
what Hes doing in your heart. What happened to Johnny, er,
Pastor Johnny He threw up one hand and let it fall on
the steering wheel causing a low beep to sound from the
horn. I dont know. I just dont know. Its inexplicable to me.
I just hope it doesnt hurt the faith of other people people
like you and make them start questioning what they
believe.
I nodded.
Theres a lot we can talk about regarding this, but Im
starving, Manley said. Lets get something to eat and then
we can go to my apartment and talk it over. Abigail will want
to know as well.
Cool, I said. Um, whos Abigail?
My sister. Shes been staying with me since our mom
moved into a nursing home.
I thought your sister was named Delilah?

Yeah, legally. But she goes by Abigail now.

Whyd she change her name?
Because, Manley said like it was obvious, Delilah is a
villain in the Bible. He motioned toward the iPhone in my
hand. Shes always hated that name anyway. A few months
ago, she just started telling everyone to call her Abigail.
Right. I better get started reading this then, I said.
The first chapter of Genesis still stared back at me from the
phone screen.
Manley chuckled. She says no parent in their right
mind would name their daughter Delilah.
Kind of like that Judas guy, I said. I couldnt
remember exactly what he (or Delilah, for that matter) had
done wrong, but I recalled it was pretty awful.
Yeah, Manley agreed. Nobody names their kid
Judas.

Chapter 7
After we stopped at Arbys we drove to Manleys
apartment. He lived in a crowded neighborhood. The
businesses and apartment buildings were so close together
you couldnt stick a pencil between the buildings. On some
blocks, the buildings were actually connected. We drove past
small, locally-owned restaurants, a theater, a bookstore, and
a museum. Even though it was late at night, a few people
were still out on the sidewalk.
After parking on the side of the street, we walked up
two flights of stairs to Manleys apartment. Abigail opened
the door after Manley knocked. She was short, dark-eyed,
and had the same dark hair as her brother.
Hi, Delilah, I said.
She put her hand on her hip. Its Abigail now.
I told him, Manley said.
I wasnt sure if he was lying or not, I said. People
dont just change their names, you know.
Well, I did.
Okay, fine. Abigail it is. I held the Arbys bag up.
Peace offering?
Only if theres a cheese melt in there, she said taking
the bag.
Theres three, I said.
The living room we were standing in was small and
compact. The white carpet was coffee-stained, and

overstuffed velvet blue couches dominated the room. Abigail

waved us into the kitchen which was also tiny. There was an
island table for four and wrap-around counters. The tiled
floor was a gold flower pattern. The light fixture in the ceiling
cast a yellow glow over the room.
How was church tonight? Abigail asked as she sat
down on one of the stools at the island.
You dont want to know, Manley said taking a huge
bite out of his sandwich.
But I already know, Abigail said waving her phone.
The love of money She shook her head.
What? I asked.
Youre saying Pastor Johnny is doing this for money?
Manley said. Why?
Abigail nodded. Hes going to star if you can call it
that in a new reality show called Life After God. She
tapped a few buttons on her phone screen and slid it to the
middle of the island. See here. It says, Oxygens new
religion-focused reality docu-drama will chronicle the lives
of four average Americans who make the decision to leave
organized religion and pursue spirituality without structure
or no spirituality at all. The show will focus on the lives of
a Baltimore pastor, Johnny Dunmore, who plans to reveal to
his church that he no longer believes in God; a Florida
college student, Tamela Walbrind, who abandons her faith
after her college studies led her to question her beliefs; a
millionaire Wall Street broker, Jacob Lehman, who left his
Amish community to pursue worldly success; and Georgia
school teacher, Sharmon Sharpe, who was branded an

apostate by his Imam and barred from attending his mosque

after undergoing a sex change operation.'
Quite a cast, Manley said.
You guys really think hes doing this for money? I
asked.
Im just saying its convenient timing, Abigail said.
Johnnys been pastoring for twenty-four years. Maybe he
had a real crisis of faith or something, but you dont just give
up on something you believe in like that. She snapped her
fingers.
He said he was writing about it on his blog, I said.
I guess youre going to say someone should have seen
it coming, Manley said. He shrugged. Well see what Pastor
Taylor says tomorrow.
I nodded, yawning. Whatever the case, as you can
imagine, this was not what I was expecting to hear my first
time at church. Im still trying to wrap my head around it.
Dont, said Manley.
Dont what?
Dont try to wrap your head around it, Abigail said.
You cant. And heres something else you should know: This
Christianity thing does not mean your life suddenly,
magically gets better. Everything that you see about
Christianity today churches, Bibles, missionaries,
Christian TV all of that came through a lot of, excuse the
cliche, blood and sweat and tears. There have always been
people who turn away from the faith. Pastor Johnny isnt the
first and he wont be the last. So dont dwell on it. Our church

will come through this just as churches have done for

hundreds of years.
Okay, I said.
Manley nodded. Shes right. And, youre going to face
your own personal troubles too. Jesus said, in this world you
will have trouble. Youll get Heaven when you get there, but
not here. So, I know how you feel about Johnny. To be
honest, I feel the same way. But dont let it discourage you.
Its just one problem. There will be more to come.
Sitting there, I knew they were right. I remembered the
car accident which I hadnt thought about for several hours.
That was trouble for sure and it wasnt going away. I figured
I should get in touch with a lawyer and find out if there had
been any changes in the little girls condition.

Chapter 8
Pastor Thomas Taylor had awakened two hours earlier
than usual on Sunday morning to attend a hastily-called
meeting of the elders at City of Fellowship Bible Church. At
the meeting, there had been sound disapproval of Johnny
Dunmores revelation at the Saturday night service.
Thomas was glad the internet campus pastor had had
the good sense not to replay the service throughout the night
and early morning on the churchs website. An older
recording was playing instead. But, still, one time was more
than enough to get the social media chatter going, and no
matter what people said, all publicity was not good publicity.
Thomas rubbed his fingers across the receding hairline
that he was trying to maintain and reached for the cup of
coffee on his desk. It was his second cup that morning.
Normally, he only had one.
A knock sounded on his office door. Sir, Johnny is
here to see you, his secretary said.
Let him in, Thomas said.
The door opened and Johnny Dunmore walked in.
Thomas looked at him. Have a seat. He thought about
commenting on the new pair of glasses Johnny was wearing,
but decided there was no time for small talk or pleasantries.
Not quite the, uh, warm reception Im used to,
Johnny said as he sat down slowly on the other side of the
desk. I suppose that has something to do with my
inconvenient truth last night. He adjusted his glasses on his

face
Obviously, said Pastor Taylor. The elders and I have
decided to release you from your duties here.
I expected that, Johnny said.
You came highly recommended to us, Thomas
continued. Although we cannot see how you came to such a
decision as the one you announced last night, we thought you
would at least show us the decency of coming to us first and

But I knew what would have happened then, Johnny

interrupted.
Excuse me? said Thomas.
Well, you would have never let me honestly share what
I have come to feel is true with the church family and I still
do believe that they are my family.
Your feelings are dangerous to the church family,
Thomas said. He jabbed his finger toward the door of his
office. There are many young believers out there. Your
feelings are dangerous to their faith. How do we look
bringing them into the church and then you get up there
spouting your atheistic nonsense. How confusing is that for
them?
Its no more confusing than much of what is in the
Bible, Johnny said. And, besides, they should know the
truth. As we like to say, the truth sets us free. It did me. He
tried to smile, but he only came off looking pained.
Thomas shook his head and slammed his palms on the
desktop, rising from his seat.

Havent you ever doubted God? Johnny said looking

up at him. Havent you ever wondered if all this all that
we say we believe, all that we preach is really true?
Honestly, we dont know anything. We have dogma and
doctrine based on a book and our belief in a superman in the
sky. How flimsy is that? He paused for a moment. Havent
you ever doubted?
No, said Thomas sharply.
I think youre lying, said Johnny.
I didnt bring you in here to argue with you, said
Thomas. Ive made myself perfectly clear. You are released
from your duties. Youre fired. Now leave.
Johnny frowned. What about severance?
The elders decided against that, Thomas said. Get
out of this building, off this property, and I never want to see
you here again.
Johnny stood up and turned toward the door. Well, if
Im ever in the neighborhood, Im sure you wont mind if I
stop by to say hi, friend.
No! Thomas nearly shouted. Dont ever come back
here. Youve done enough damage already.
Johnny turned toward the office door and placed his
hand on the knob. I wish you the best. Im sure you do the
same for me.
Actually, I dont, said Thomas.
Johnny turned back around. What?
You know what the Bible says about that: If there

come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him
not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that
biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
............
It was early morning, about half an hour before
Sundays first service, as Johnny walked back to the gray
Toyota Highlander with the heavily tinted windows parked
in the corner of the large parking lot. A couple dozen cars
were parked across the lot, but the majority of the churchs
attendees had yet to arrive. In front of the three-story,
curved steel and glass building, parking attendants were
donning their orange and yellow vests. Johnny walked
quickly and with his head down. He didnt want to risk being
noticed by the early arrivals. They would see his face again
soon enough.
He opened the passenger side door of the Highlander
and got in. A television producer was sitting in the drivers
seat with a laptop resting against the steering wheel. A video
technician sat in the second row. The third row of seats had
been taken out to make room for satellite equipment.
Johnny carefully took off the pair of glasses he had
been wearing and handed them back to the technician. You
got all that? he asked as he put on his regular pair of roundframed glasses.
Yeah, we did, said the producer motioning to his
laptop screen where the video of Pastor Taylor sitting at his
desk talking was playing. You did well with the hidden
camera for a first-timer.

Chapter 9
Early Monday morning, I dressed in a navy blue suit
and headed to the Wegel & Company headquarters on the
fifteenth floor of the Transamerica tower in Baltimores
central business district. I parked my white Saleen S7 well
away from other cars on the third floor of the parking garage
and headed up to the company offices. I had started as junior
business developer several months ago, and now that I had
graduated with my MBA, I would be moving up to senior
business developer in a few weeks when the person in that
position stepped down. Basically, my job was to market the
marketing company attract new business, develop longterm relationships, and position the company to reach new
markets.
But I wasnt there for work that day. I was there to meet
with the lawyer my dad had hired for me while I was in the
hospital. Even though my father, Michael York, was officially
retired and bore the title president emeritus, he still
showed up for work each day. He kept the same office at the
end of a long, quiet hall away from the constant phone
ringing and chatter of the rest of the business. I knocked on
his door.
My mother, Doneese, met me in the entrance. She was
a short, plump, graying woman of Cambodian descent.
Jaidon! she said giving me a hug. You need to keep in
touch better. We didnt know you were in the hospital until
after you had left.
I smiled at her gentle scolding. I would say Ill do
better next time, but I dont plan on being in the hospital

again any time soon.

Dad was sitting at his desk reviewing what looked like a
profit and loss sheet. He, too, was short, but not as plump,
and his brown head was devoid of hair. Where were you on
Saturday night? We went by your place, but you werent
there, he said.
I was at church, I said without thinking.
Hmph, my dad said making a mark on the paper.
Well, I guess a brush with death does cause one to become
temporarily religious. He muttered something else that I
couldnt make out.
I came to see the lawyer, I said. Mr. Sonos? Is that
his name?
Sonos, yes. Hes on the second floor of this building
Kirkland, Sonos, and Austin, LLP.
Okay. Thanks, Dad.
............
A few minutes later, I sat in Turner Sonos office.
The truth is, I told him, I probably was driving faster
than I should have been. I wasnt expecting to meet anybody
on that road that late at night.
Probability is not certainty, Mr. Sonos said. If you
admit to that, that family will sue you for every penny in your
bank account. Sonos was a big man who seemed unable to
sit still. Just in the ten minutes I had spent in his office, he
had changed position five times first sitting in the leather
executives chair behind his desk, then sitting on the edge of

his desk, then standing in front of the window with his hands
clasped behind his back, then pacing in front of his desk, and
now standing behind his seat with his hands on its back.
Maybe they deserve every penny in my bank account,
I said. Their daughter is in a coma. If she never wakes up
if she dies what then?
Youll lose not only everything in your bank account,
but everything you own paying medical fees, damages,
compensation, and you could even lose your freedom. He
leaned back against a tall shelf filled with thick, black law
books. Look, Mr. York, you can fight this. You can prove
that you are not responsible for what happened to their
daughter. I have consulted with a vehicular accident
reconstructionist and she said the police report indicates that
you were braking at the time of impact. Of course, we need to
get a second and third opinion, but an analysis like that
presented by an expert witness can stand up in court.
Or maybe we can avoid a legal battle altogether, I
said.
What? said Mr. Sonos. He folded his arms across his
chest and shook his head. Ive seen these kind of cases
before. Theyre going to sue. Im telling you.
Hear me out. I have an idea, I said. Which hospital is
the girl in?
He shuffled through the papers in a folder on his desk.
Sinai, he said. What are you thinking?
Right. I remembered hearing the name on the news
report. I got up and turned toward the office door. We have

some people to visit. And, as my lawyer, youre going with

me.
What? This is insane. You cant do this, Mr. Sonos
said. But as I looked back, he pulled his suit jacket down
from a peg on the wall and followed me out the door.

Chapter 10
When we arrived at Sinai Hospital, Attorney Sonos
jumped out of the car and followed me inside.
Look, I dont know what youre planning to do, but
this is a bad idea, he said in a loud whisper as we waited at
the nurses station on the first floor.
I might be doing you a favor, I told him.
Sarah Hill is in room 303 on the fourth floor, the
nurse said. Youll have to check with the nurses up there to
see if shes allowed visitors.
Thanks, I said as I turned toward the elevator.
I dont see how this is doing either of us a favor,
Sonos said as I punched the button for the fourth floor. I
dont see anything good that can come out of this at all.
As the elevator rose, I closed my eyes and mentally
reviewed what I had decided to do. I figured that Sarahs
parents, Tommy and Skye Hill, would be there. Then again, I
had no idea for sure. As the elevators opened, I began to
think that maybe Attorney Sonos was right.
We walked into the waiting area and looked around.
About a dozen people sat in pairs or separately on the
couches and seats scattered throughout the large area. I had
seen pictures of the Hills on television, so I knew what they
looked like but I didnt see them. I could feel Sonos just
waiting to say, See there. Giving the waiting area another
visual sweep, I turned toward the hall where the entrances to
the hospital rooms were.

Hey, you! a voice called from the far corner of the

room. I stopped and turned around. A man, short but
muscular with black hair, got up and approached us. It was
Tommy Hill. Its you, isnt it? he said pointing a finger at
me. Youre the rich kid who put our daughter in a coma.
Excuse me, said Sonos stepping between me and Mr.
Hill. But my client
I dont want to hear about your client, Mr. Hill said
brushing Mr. Sonos arm aside. You rich people always got
your darn lawyers anytime you get into trouble.
The other people in the waiting area were staring at us.
I stepped up beside Sonos. Mr. Hill, listen, I said in a
louder tone than usual. My name is Jaidon York, and
I know who you are, he said.
Yes, and I know youre upset, I said. Im truly sorry
about what happened to your daughter. Im not exaggerating
when I say its the worst thing that has ever happened in my
life. Id do anything to go back and undo what happened that
night.
Well, you cant! Mr. Hill shouted. And now were
stuck with
A short, brown-haired woman stepped up beside him
and placed her hand on Mr. Hills arm. She looked like she
had been crying. Honey, calm down, she said. Youre
causing a scene. We can talk about this peacefully.
Whats there to talk about? Mr. Hill asked angrily.
His hands balled into fists as he stepped back.
I know I cant do anything to help your daughter and

Im sure the doctors are doing all they can, I said. But what
I came to say is that Id like to take at least one worry from
your mind during this time. I will pay all of your daughters
medical expenses whatever they are, Ill pay them.
Mrs. Hills lips parted as she looked at her husband. He
turned his head slightly and looked at me through narrowed
eyes as though he were trying to figure out if I was telling the
truth. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, he said,
You sure?
I said, Im sure.
Mr. Hill tipped his head back and rolled his eyes up the
way people do when they are making calculations in their
head. Finally, he looked at me again. Okay. He nodded.
Taking a step toward me, he stretched out his hand. Im
sorry about earlier. I justIve been feeling a lot of things
Ive never felt before. I guess I just dont know how to handle
it.
I shook his hand. I cant possibly know how you feel, I
said, but I understand where youre coming from.
After Mr. Sonos and I exchanged contact information
with the Hills, I told them that we would be in touch.

What did you think you were doing in there? Mr.

Sonos said once we were back in the car.
Avoiding a lawsuit, I said.
Butno contract, no signed agreement, no nothing,
he said in exasperation.

And not so much money for you, I said.

That is not what this is about, he said emphatically.
Im pretty sure it is. But dont worry. Ill pay you
handsomely for putting together the forms you just
mentioned.

Chapter 11
Pastor Thomas Taylor sat in his office at the City of
Fellowship Bible Church mid-day on Tuesday. He had gotten
over his initial disappointment about the resignation of
teaching pastor, Johnny Dunmore, and hoped that his
meeting with him on Sunday morning would be the last he
saw of him. He trusted that what had happened was Gods
will.
He was feeling so good in fact that he started to whistle
a tune which he rarely did. He was fairly certain he had the
tune wrong anyway, but what did it matter? His good mood
continued until his office door swung open and the churchs
main worship leader, Gemma Fitz, entered. For such a petite
woman, she had a powerful voice. She also had a patient,
sweet personality.
Thomas immediately
afternoon, he said.

stopped

whistling.

Good

Yes, um, I know this is unexpected, but the secretary

said I could come right in, Gemma said taking a seat on the
edge of one of the chairs on the other side of the desk. She
nervously twisted a diamond ring on her left hand.
Yes, she knows Ive usually finished playing Angry
Birds by now and am deep into my studies at this hour of the
day, Thomas smiled. What can I do for you?
Well, its about Johnny, um, Pastor Dunmore,
Gemma said. The way he was let go so suddenlyI just feel
it was wrong. He wasnt given a chance to explain himself.

Well, I thank you for expressing your concerns,

Thomas said. But I believe the elders and I made the best
decision for this church at this time.
I know, but I and some of the others feel as though we
should have had some say in it, Gemma said.
Oh? Thomas tilted his head to the side as he listened.
I mean, it happened so fast. Maybe we could have
reasoned with him.
Gemma, you are a valuable member of this ministry
team, and I truly take your concerns to heart, Thomas said.
But when I spoke with him on Sunday morning, Johnny was
pretty adamant about what he believedor did not believe, I
should say.
I see, Gemma said looking at her hands as she twisted
them in her lap.
Is there anything else? Thomas asked.
Gemma shook her head, her eyes still cast down. Its
just that I think you may have turned him away forever by
firing him so quickly like that. He may never come back.
When she looked up, she had tears in her eyes.
Thomas looked toward the window where the
afternoon sun filtered in through the white curtains. What is
going on here? He turned back to Gemma. Were you in love
with Johnny, Gemma? he asked.
What? No! Gemma said flinching in her seat. Why
would you say that? I mean, of course not.
Oh, Thomas said slowly. He watched as Gemma

discreetly slipped her right hand over the ring-bearing finger

of her left. Just thought Id ask. Sometimes, personal
tensions can heighten corporate, or, should I say ministerial
ones.
Well, you dont have to worry about me, Gemma said
getting up hastily and turning toward the door. She paused
as she placed her hand on the knob. I thinkwould you
mindIll need to take a leave for a few weeks.
A few weeks? Thomas asked.
Gemma nodded.
You want to say why?
Gemma shook her head. Its kind of personal.
Uh-huh, Thomas said. Well, make sure you let Stan
know.
I will. Thank you, sir. Im truly sorry if its any
inconvenience.

Chapter 12
You know, Gemmas resignation may be something
that will turn out for the greater benefit of the church, said
Stan Martin, the human resources director of City of
Fellowship, as he sat at the long table in the blue room where
the eleven church elders met every week.
Her resignation? asked Pastor Taylor.
Uh, yes, said Stan whose black and auburn
Pompadour hairstyle made him look like a character from
the eighties. I thought she told you already. He pinched the
bridge of his computer glasses as if to make sure they were
still on his face.
No, she told me she needed a leave of absence for a
few weeks, Thomas said.
Well, she turned in a resignation letter to me, Stan
said in a sing-song tone. He opened a folder and pulled out a
typed sheet of paper waving it above the table.
Give me that, Thomas said. He grabbed the paper and
let out a frustrated sigh, letting his fingers wander to the
edge of his receding hairline as he read the contents of the
letter.
Im not surprised, said one of the elders. She
probably didnt want to tell you to your face. You know how
she is. She doesnt want to hurt anyones feelings.
Yeah, thats been a problem before, said another
elder.
What kind of virus is going around in this church?

Thomas said as he set the letter down on the table.

The resignation bug, said Stan. We need to find a
cure for it before things get out of hand. No one laughed at
Stans joke. No one ever did. By the way, he continued,
both previous victims have been in close proximity to you,
pastor, so Im gearing up for your letter next.
Im not going anywhere, Thomas said. You said this
might be a good thing. Why?
Ever heard of Ferrian Flay? said Stan.
Thomas furrowed his brow. Ive heard the name, but
Im not sure
Three-time Dove award winner, two-time GRAMMY
winner, currently at the top of the contemporary Christian
music charts with his latest album. Stan pulled another
paper out of his folder. Got this e-mail this morning; says
hes ready to retire from touring. Feels like God is calling him
to settle down and find a church to serve in.
I see, said Thomas nodding slowly. A feeling of worry
rose within him.
He performed at our Double X summer youth camp
last year, one of the elders said.
So, how did he find out that there may be an opening
for this position? Thomas asked.
I dont know, Stan said. I certainly didnt put out any
notices. But I took the liberty to pull some information about
him from the internet. He took several sheets of paper out
of his folder and slid them across the table. Heres his bio,
educational information, previous gigs, discography,

publicity photos, etc.

Thomas picked up the papers and flipped through
them. He pulled out the letter-size publicity photo of a
brown-skinned man with curly black hair who appeared to
be in his early thirties. He was dressed in a blue silk suit with
a pattern of interlocking triangles, an orange, ruffled tuxedo
shirt, and shiny, flamboyant cuffs.
Whats wrong with Christian musicians nowadays?
Thomas said. What happened to black suits, white shirts,
and long dress gowns? Hes dressed like like Prince.
Now we know whats on your iPod, Stan said.
Hes ablack Prince, said one of the elders.
Prince is black, Stan said.
Im saying this might be good for diversity and racial
unity and all that, the elder replied.
It may be God closing one door and opening another,
added another elder.
Looking at it from a, uh, marketing perspective: If we
hire him, people will definitely come to hear him sing. And,
hopefully, theyd stay around for the preaching, said Stan.
It would also make a big splash in the local media.
A silver-haired elder at the far end of the table raised a
finger. And might I add that that is much needed especially
after all of the negative attention last week.
We should call him in for an interview, said the elder
sitting to his right.
We can do that, Thomas said, but, gentlemen, I feel I

need to conduct this interview myself.

Chapter 13
By the beginning of next week, it seemed the rancor
over Johnny Dunmores revelation had died down. Maybe
Manley was right: what happened with him was the
exception, not the rule, and there was nothing to be seriously
concerned about.
Saturday afternoon, I got an e-mail from Leon Juarez,
my buddy from college who left on a mission trip to
Indonesia the day after I had my car accident. He and his
wife had arrived safely in a small village in southern
Indonesia. Electricity there was inconsistent at best, so he
had to drive to a cafe in a larger town eight miles away to
keep his satellite phone and laptop charged up. Leon had set
up a blog so his friends, supporters, and church family could
stay updated on what he was doing. He attended a Bible
church in Washington D.C. and had been sent out as part of
the churchs international missions program. I bookmarked
the blogs URL and sent him a message telling him to stay
safe and that I was praying for him.
Late that afternoon, I caught a ride with Manley to City
of Fellowship Bible Church.
Do you know who is going to replace Dunmore? I
asked as we waited in his Jeep at the end of a long line of
cars for the parking attendant to wave us in.
No, I dont think theyve picked anybody yet, but there
are plenty of good guys who can take his place, Manley said.
He kept flicking the blinkers on and off. But there is that
new music minister whos going to play tonight. I heard

Gemma Simmons is on leave for some reason.

The parking attendant waved us in.
I wonder why theyre here? Manley said motioning to
a satellite truck with WBAL-TV painted boldly on the side.
I shrugged.
As we walked into the building, the entire glass and
steel structure seemed to pulsate with the deep, thumping
bass sound emanating from the auditorium.
Have you come to worship? Have you come to praise?
an excited voice boomed through the loudspeakers in the
foyer.
We entered the auditorium and found our seats. The
man leading the worship was dressed in a dark orange suit
and shiny black shoes. Ferrian Flay his name read on the
big screens mounted on either side of the stage. I made a
mental note to look him up later. Overall, the music part of
the service felt like a concert. Gone was the subdued,
reverent feel of the past few services I had attended. Most of
the people seemed to enjoy the new style, however. Folks still
stood up and waved their hands in the air. The news crew in
the back quietly filmed. Honestly, though, I liked the former
style better, and I asked Manny about it later.
Everybody worships in different ways, he said.
Theres no wrong or right way to worship God. Some people
are more expressive, some people arent personality plays
into it. Some people like loud, raucous music, others like
soft, contemplative music, and some dont like music at all.
When I first started attending church, I was the guy sitting

on my hands in the back pew. Im sure some people thought

I wasnt into church at all, but I got a lot out of it.
I guess the real pressure is on the church leaders
having to please everybody, I said.
Yeah, but most churches have a certain style and
attract a certain type of people, Manley said. Nothing
wrong with that. Cant please everybody, you know.

Chapter 14
Monday morning, after a meeting with my dad and the
board of directors, I was in my office at Wegel & Co. when I
received my first visitor. The potential clients name was
Glinton Sanford. He was a bald, thin black man with big
hands, probably five feet, two inches tall. He was with an
organization called APG Taskforce.
Good morning, Mr. Sanford. Please have a seat, I
said.
We shook hands and he sat down. I pulled up the
prospect file on my computer.
So, what does APG stand for? I asked.
Anti-Prosperity Gospel, he said in a quick, clipped
voice, and then he added, Taskforce.
Oh, I said. Andhow do you feel Wegel & Company
may be of use to you?
Well, the taskforce is a coalition of pastors, church
members, and former church members who are fed up with
the prosperity gospel that is being preached in many
American churches, and that is unfortunately being exported
to churches in impoverished nations in Africa as well as in
other places.
Excuse me, I interrupted. Just so were clear, please
explain what you mean by prosperity gospel.
Glinton looked at me like I was a dummy, but then said,
The prosperity gospel is this false idea that God wants all
His children to be rich. It is being preached in many

churches across the nation, and it is really a form of religious

slavery. Often, what happens is, these pimp preachers get
their church members to give huge amounts in tithes and
offerings what they call sowing a seed. He used air
quotes around those words. They tell the people that God
will bless them if they invest in their ministry. What
normally happens, however, is that the preachers just line
their pockets with cash leaving the people to suffer. That
kind of abuse has to stop.
I had never heard of the prosperity gospel before, and I
was appalled that preachers would use their influence like
that. And what is APGs role in that? I asked.
Its APG Taskforce, Glinton said stiffly. Our role is to
stop this kind of behavior in the church. Over the past few
months, we have put together a coalition of pastors, church
members, and former church members. We have raised
hundreds of thousands of dollars. Our plan is to begin a
nationwide campaign TV, radio, and print telling people
what is happening in their churches and calling out pastors
who preach the prosperity gospel.
You do know that this will open you up to major
defamation lawsuits? I said.
Yes, we are well aware of that, Glinton said. But once
people know the truth, they will be on our side. He paused
for a moment. Can you help us?
I wanted to do more research about this prosperity
gospel phenomenon before I agreed to anything. I believe
we need to go into more detail regarding your plan, I said. I
can tell you right now that naming names in a campaign such

as this is highly risky. Perhaps getting op-eds published in

major newspapers would be a better idea plus, you would
have legal protection to express your views as long as you
have facts to back up your, uh, assertions.
We have facts, I assure you, Glinton said nodding
curtly. Weve worked hard on this plan, and we are
confident it is the best way to go forward.
I nodded. Certainly, I said. Let me put you in contact
with one of our consultants to go over the specifics of your
marketing proposal, and then well see where it leads.
When do you think we can get started? Glinton said.
Im looking at two weeks from today.
Youve got to be kidding, I thought. If, I say and
thats a very big if, I add mentally If we decide to take
this project, we are looking at at least a couple of months
down the road considering that we will have to secure
marketing channels which are normally booked months or
years in advance.
Hmph, Glinton said.

Chapter 15
Later the next day, Manley and Abigail came over to my
place for dinner. I really wanted to talk about the prosperity
gospel issue, but food always got Manleys attention.
If youre looking for a home-cooked meal, youre out of
luck, I teased. This is Chinese take-out night.
Its Chinese take-out I didnt have to pay for, Manley
said taking off his army jacket and hanging it on the coat
rack by my display case of model cars. At the bottom were
the plastic ones I had glued together when I was a kid, and
above those about two dozen tin and cast iron vintage
models. A few of them had been pretty expensive.
Wheres Abby? I asked.
Running late, Manley said. She had to run a gala at
the music school today. Should be here any minute.
Well, until she gets here, I want to ask your opinion on
something. I got my laptop from my office and pulled up the
APG Taskforce file. This guy, Glinton Sanford, was telling
me about the prosperity gospel yesterday, I said. He called
it a form of religious slavery and said his organization wants
to run an ad campaign to expose it.
Uh-huh, Manley said.
He also said its being exported to Africa as well as
other places. Is it really as widespread as he says?
Yes. A lot of megachurch pastors and televangelists
teach it and a lot of people buy into it, Manley said. Thats
largely why I stopped watching Christian TV a long time ago.

Much of it is that prosperity gospel nonsense. Its pathetic.

So, this guy is doing the right thing?
Probably. The question is if hes doing it the right
way.
Yeah, I said. Thats what Ive got to figure out.
Just then, my door buzzer sounded. Doors open, I
shouted.
Abigail came in dressed in a navy blue lace evening
gown.
How did the gala go? Manley asked.
Better than last year which was an absolute
disaster, Abigail said. Im famished.
Dining room is this way, I said. We cooked. I
winked at Manley.
If you did, Im going to walk right back out that door,
Abigail said. Thank God, she added when she saw the takeout cartons on the table.
While chewing her first mouthful of shrimp fried rice,
Abigail touched her forehead as though she had forgotten
something. She swallowed hard. Youre not going to believe
this, she said.
What? I asked. Manley didnt say anything because
his mouth was too full.
Ferrian Flay, the new music director
Yeah.
Abigail lowered her voice. I think hes gayand I think

hes married.
Manley looked up in surprise. How do you know
that?
He was at the music academys gala today with
another man.
And
And they stuck together the whole time holding
hands, and making goo-goo faces at each other.
Thats not exactly evidence, I said.
Its what I saw with my own eyes, Abigail said. If you
had seen those two you would have thought the same exact
thing.
Are you sure it was him? asked Manley.
Yeah, it was him for sure. I dont know who the other
guy was, Abigail said.
Well, theres a possibility you may be wrong, Manley
said. Until you have certain proof, I think we should just
keep it between us.

Chapter 16
On Wednesday morning, Attorney Sonos called me
with good news. Sarah Hill had come out of the coma and
was being moved out of intensive care. I was glad to hear it
and I called Tommy Hill to tell him so. He sounded like he
was much relieved and we had a far nicer conversation this
time around.
After talking with him, I left for work at Wegel & Co. on
the fifteenth floor of the Transamerica tower, I found Glinton
Sanford standing outside my office door.
Have you made any progress on our proposal? he
asked as I turned the key in the lock.
Some, I said. But were nowhere near making a
decision on your marketing plan at this early stage. Ive been
doing some research into the prosperity gospel phenomenon
myself.
And?
If its as exploitative as you say, I agree with you that
people should know what the dangers are when they sit
under that kind of teaching. I set my laptop down on my
desk and sat down in the leather desk chair.
Glinton followed me in uninvited. He set a folder down
on my desk. Youll be interested in this then, he said.
Statistics on the current growth of the prosperity gospel
movement and remember it is global as well as
testimonies of former prosperity gospel victims.

Victims? I said. That sounded kind of harsh.

Yes, Glinton said. Victims of charlatan ministers who
twist Gods Word and deceive the people they are supposed
to be trying to help. I hope every one of them
Just then, we were interrupted by a knock on the open
door. My dad stuck his head in. Jaidon, you need to he
began. But then he saw Glinton. Hey, dont I know you? he
said. Glinton Summers?
Sanford, Glinton said. I remember you.
Youre the guy who got me out of Morris Richmores
House of Wealth, my dad said. Best decision I ever made.
I didnt know my dad had ever attended a church. It must
have been before I was old enough to remember.
Yeah, you know he got put in jail for embezzling
money from the church, Glinton said. Seems like his sixfigure salary wasnt enough for him.
Good for him, my dad said. All these crooks who call
themselves preachers ought to be put under the jail. At least,
they ought to give all the money they make right back to the
people and the community.
I agree, Glinton said nodding. Maybe you can help
convince your son to take up our marketing project.
Well, I normally dont get involved in the day-to-day
around here anymore, but, Jaidon, you take care of this man,
you hear.
Yes, sir, I said.
Its good to see you again, my dad said to Glinton.

And talk some sense into my sons head while youre here.
Hes done got all religious on me.
Glinton laughed. It was the first time Id seen him even
crack a smile. Ill do my best.

Chapter 17
An ugly feeling roiled in Pastor Thomas Taylors gut
when he received the anonymous message in his inbox. He
immediately sent a reply asking for the senders name and
relation to City of Fellowship Bible Church. A moment later
he got a response saying the message was undeliverable.
God, what should I do? he thought. He decided to
address the matter head on.

You never mentioned you were married, Pastor

Taylor said after inviting Ferrian Flay into his office later
that evening.
You didnt ask, Flay said as he settled into the seat on
the far side of the pastors desk.
Its also not mentioned in your bio, Taylor said
flipping through the folder that Stan had provided him with
earlier. Thats odd.
Well, its recent.
If its recent, thats all the more reason to mention it.
Taylor shut the folder and set it on his desk.
I dont see what the big deal is. Is there a problem of
some sort? Flay said.
Taylor took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. Im
going to be straight with you. I got an anonymous e-mail this
morning from someone saying that you were married to a

man.
Oh, said Flay. Thats probably just someone trying to
cause trouble. Disgruntled church member, perhaps? You
know how some church people can be.
But is it true? Taylor asked.
Well yes, Flay said. But I dont see how that is a
problem.
Taylor sighed and put his glasses back on. Im sure you
know very clearly how this is a problem. This church teaches,
according to the Bible, that homosexuality is wrong. We
cannot have unrepentant homosexuals which is
apparently what you are working on the church staff. We
certainly cannot have married homosexuals working on the
church staff. And we cannot have secret homosexuals
working on the church staff either.
Youre going to fire me? Flay said.
Unless you want to resign of your own free will,
Taylor said.
Ill never do that. You said yourself that you believed
God brought us together.
That was before I knew about you being married to a
man. Im sorry, but we cant proceed like this. We have to let
you go.
Youre not thinking clearly, Flay said. I heard what
Ron said in the staff meeting yesterday: attendance has shot
up in the three weeks Ive been here. People are excited; they
like the new music style. The media is back on your side
again after, you know, what happened with Dunmore. Think

about what you have to lose. Do you really want a repeat of

the media coverage that happened when Dunmore was
forced out? And, I tell you, it will be worse this time. The
media will be all over a church kicking out a music minister
because hes gay. You dont need that. Were doing great
work for the Lord here. Dont let some angry church member
mess that up.
Taylor was thinking hard as Flay spoke. He certainly
didnt want a repeat of what had happened more than a
month ago. Maybe he could wait a while, let things die down,
and ease Flay out the door without causing much of an
uproar.
No one knows about my, uh, marriage, Flay said. It
was very private.
Someone obviously knows, Taylor said.
And no one else will know unless you tell them.
They were both silent for a moment, and then Taylor
said, Fine, you can stay for now. On the condition that
your partneror, uhyour wifecannot attend the church
under any circumstances.
Correction, hes my husband, Flay said. But thats
fine, hes not the religious type anyway.

Chapter 18
Did you take care of my friend? Dad asked when I
met him in his office late on Wednesday evening. He was
sitting with his feet up on the desk flipping channels on the
TV in the corner.
I did what I could do for now, I said. You know we
cant rush into any marketing campaign without the proper
consultation up front.
I know, just do what you can for him. Hes a good
man.
I sat down on the corner of the desk. I never knew you
used to attend church, I said. I mean, I never went with
you.
Your mother and I stopped going a few months before
you were born, my dad said. I was raised going to church
each week. My parents took me and my sister, and after your
grandfather died, my mother kept on taking us. A few
months before I graduated from college, she started
attending a new church House of Wealth. I told my
mother that it sounded like the name of a casino.
I laughed as Dad went on. I thought that since I was
grown, or almost grown, it would be a good time to start
cutting my ties with the church because I never really saw
any significance in it. But my mother said, Boy, as long as
youre living in my house, you got to go to church on Sunday
morning. I tried to skip a few times by sleeping late or

getting out of the house early and hanging with my buddies

or pretending that I had to study. But my mother always
found me and made me go. He paused for a moment as
though lost in thought.
So, when did you stop? I said.
It was about five years after I married your mother,
Dad said. I had only kept going after I left home and got
married because I promised my mother I would. I kept going
to the same church House of Wealth. The preacher, Morris
Richmore, was always talking about how God wanted His
people to be rich, blessed, and prosperous. I was fine with
that because I wanted to be rich. My mother had to work
almost every day of her life especially after my father died.
Money was always tight. I was determined not to live like
that, so I went to business school and ate up Morris
Richmores messages. He sighed. Then I noticed something
strange. The church was always asking for money money
to get on TV, money to start this ministry, money to buy this
building. The thing that took the cake for me was when they
asked for money to buy a plane. What in the world does a
preacher need his own plane for? I was getting sick of it, but
didnt say anything because nobody else was saying
anything. But it seemed like to me that the only person
getting more rich was Morris Richmore.
And thats when you met Glinton Sanford? I said.
Right. He was one of the new professors at the
business school, Dad said. He told me how the prosperity
gospel was a rip-off for everyday people and encouraged me
to leave. So I did. Dads cell phone buzzed and he pulled it

out of his pocket and looked at the screen. Your mother has
dinner ready. Im going to get out of here, he said.
Dad, when you left the House of Wealth, did you ever
consider attending another church? I said. All churches
dont preach the prosperity gospel, you know.
Nah, I was done with church stuff altogether. It just
wasnt for me, he said. Besides, I didnt need God to help
me get rich. I did that on my own.

Chapter 19
After talking with my dad at the office, I went home and
since I didnt have anything better to do I started reviewing
the marketing plan our team had put together for Glinton
Sanford. I turned the TV on, but put it on mute as I worked
in the living room. Learning about my fathers past and
personal connection to Sanford as well as how he really felt
about the church and religion in general had been eyeopening. Before I left the office, he had made it clear that he
didnt want me to, in his words, get too deep into this
religious stuff. Keep your head on straight, he had
said. Keep your eye on the prize.
If Dads prize was money and success in business, I
wasnt too sure he was unlike the prosperity gospel preacher
he said could have ruined his life.
The phone rang and I picked it up.
Hi, Abigail said. Guess what?
What?
I signed you up as a volunteer planner for City of
Fellowships Nations Sunday.
What is that? Whyd you sign me up for it? I said.
Nations Sunday is the annual church event where the
entire church focuses on missionary activity and what we can
do to spread the Gospel around the world. It kicks off our
Missions Focus Week, Abigail said. Were going to receive
reports from the missionaries who have been sent and look

at new ways to expand our outreach. Its really fun.

Why did you volunteer me? I asked.
Because you need to get more involved in church
work, she said like it was obvious.
Right. Well, you might want to tell me something
ahead of time next time, I said.
Hey, we needed one more person for the planning
committee and I thought your background in marketing
could be useful, so I put your name down. Between asking
permission and asking forgiveness, I lean firmly to the
latter.
Okay, no sweat, I said. What am I expected to do?
Thats what youll find out, she said. Were having
the first planning meeting this Saturday at two p.m. You in?
Doesnt look like I have a choice. Ill be there.
After I hung up, a familiar face flashed across the
television screen. I turned the volume up.
A video of Johnny Dunmore speaking was being played
as a voiceover introduced Life After God the new reality
show Abigail was telling me and her brother about the night
Dunmore made his big announcement at the church. The
show was featuring four people who had for one reason or
another abandoned their faith. Besides Dunmore, who said
he no longer believed in God, there was a Florida college
student, Tamela Walbrind, who abandoned her faith after
her college studies led her to question her beliefs; a
millionaire Wall Street broker, Jacob Lehman, who left his
Amish community to pursue worldly success; and Georgia

school teacher, Sharmon Sharpe, who was branded an

apostate by his imam and barred from attending his mosque
after undergoing a sex change operation.
As I watched the show, I couldnt help but think of my
own father who had left the church as a young man and had
never looked back.

Chapter 20
Pastor Taylor was mortified by the person he saw on
the show, Life After God.
He saw himself in a jittery, black-and-white video
that had apparently been secretly-recorded by Johnny
Dunmore during the private meeting they had held after he
made his surprise announcement at the church. Johnny
hadnt just been wearing a new pair of glasses. He had been
wired.
Letting out a sigh of resignation, Taylor sat back in his
recliner and watched himself on the screen. His words,
which were also shown as subtitles over the video, sounded
distant and foreign. They played back to him like a bad voice
mail recording.
The elders and I have decided to release you from your
duties here.
we thought you would at least show us the decency
of coming to us first.
Your feelings are dangerous to the church family
Ive made myself perfectly clear. You are released
from your duties. Youre fired. Now leave.
Get out of this building, off this property, and I never
want to see you here again.
Dont ever come back here. Youve done enough
damage already.

Hearing the words again and seeing himself on the

video made him feel like he had been used. And he felt
especially distrustful of Johnny. He had never imagined
something like this happening.
____________
Maybe hes right. Maybe we shouldnt have let him go
without severance, one of the elders said at the next staff
meeting.
No, I think we did the right thing on that, Taylor said.
Johnny should have explained his issues up front with us.
He shouldnt have gone to the whole church family like that
behind our backs.
The only question is: what are we going to do about it
now? a silver-haired elder, Sean Petri, said. I mean the
words out about how this situation was handled. I can only
imagine that even some church members would be upset.
The way they portrayed this whole situation made us look
like the bad guys.
Yeah, were officially the meanest church staff ever,
Stan said. Immediately firing a guy without giving him a
chance to explain himself.
He left us no choice, Taylor said. And he did explain
himself, remember.
Maybe the way forward is humility, Petri said.
Obviously, this is something weve never had to deal with
before. Maybe an apology and an explanation of our actions
would be in our best interests.
An apology? For what? Taylor said.

For not being moreunderstanding? Petri said. You

know how people are today you have to be open and
affirming to everybody, blah, blah, blah.
How is a church of the living God supposed to be open
and affirming to an atheist? one of the other elders said.
Were automatically at odds over the most fundamental
doctrine of the Bible.
Look, Taylor said. Johnny went to Conservative
Christian Theological Seminary the same seminary I
graduated from. He learned what I learned. He was taught
the same things I and most of us in here have been taught.
He made a choice to turn his back on what he said he has
believed for the past twenty years. Theres no middle ground
with him.
Stan leaned forward, rested his elbows on the table, and
steepled his fingers. The thing is, though, youre still
thinking of this like its just a church matter. Its not
anymore. Hes gone and got a TV show. And that means a
whole lot of attention is going to be focused on us.

Chapter 21
Friday morning, as I was on my way to work, I got a call
from Attorney Sonos.
Tommy and Skye Hill want to see you at the hospital,
he said.
Why?
They wouldnt say.
Did you give them the agreement? I asked.
Yes, I did.
Did they sign it? Even though the air condition was
on, I felt sweat beading on my forehead.
Yes, I told you they did already, Sonos said.
Okay, Ill be able to get over there this afternoon, I
said.
Well, they especially requested that you come by this
morning if at all possible.
I quickly did some mental calculations and decided that
whatever was waiting for me at the office could wait a little
bit longer. Okay, Im on my way there, I said.
As I changed course to get to Sinai Hospital, my mind
filled with worst-case scenarios. Maybe the condition of the
Hills daughter, Sarah, had gotten worse. Maybe they had
decided they wanted to take me to court after all. Maybe
Sarah had died.

I prayed to the Lord right then that, whatever the case,

He would help me to accept it and respond to it properly.

I pulled up into the Sinai Hospital and made my way

inside. Sonos was waiting for me at the nurses desk on the
fourth floor eating a Snickers bar with one hand and
spinning a pen on the counter with the other.
Well, whats the deal? I said.
See for yourself. He turned away quickly and headed
down the hall. We passed several doors until we found one
that was slightly ajar. Sonos shoved the door open and let me
go in first.
Tommy and Skye were standing just beyond the door
looking considerably happier than they were the first time we
met. Beyond them, a thin curtain partially concealed a
hospital bed and a little black-haired girl lying in it. Her eyes
were closed and she lay perfectly still except for the gentle
flare of her nostrils. An IV was hooked up to her arm. I
looked between the deathly still girl and her happy parents.
Shes awake! Skye said with giddy delight gripping
her husbands arm so tightly I was pretty sure she was
cutting off the blood flow to his arm.
Shes awake? I said. She didnt look awake.
Shes out of her coma, Tommy said. It happened a
few hours ago. Shes just sleeping now.
A flood of relief rushed through me. Thank God! I
thought as a huge grin broke out on my face. Thats
awesome.

We could hardly believe it when the doctors first told

us, Skye said. Its been two weeks and it seemed like she
was well, dead. Tears spilled down her face, but the smile
remained as well.
Attorney Sonos was also smiling by the door.
Well, Im truly happy for you, I said. Im glad
everything is working out alright.
And we thank you so much for taking care of the
hospital bills. Tommy motioned toward a clip board on the
small bedside table. It looked like several pages of detailed
forms were clipped on it. Theres no way we could have
taken care of that on our own, he said. I mean, wed be in
debt for the next thirty years.
Well, Im glad I could be of assistance in that way, I
told them.

As I drove to the Transamerica tower a few minutes

later, I couldnt think of a day that had been brighter. I was
ecstatic that God had answered my prayers for the Hills
daughter.

Chapter 22
A tall, silver-haired man pulled his sleek, black Audi into
the turnabout in front of a two-story mansion on Baltimores
east side. He got out and looked around slowly. He had no
reason to think he was being followed but it didnt hurt to be
careful.
He rang the doorbell, and a moment later, the butler
appeared. Here to see Mr. Wexson? he asked.
Yes, the tall man said stepping inside the anteroom
where the butler took his jacket and hung it on a peg on the
wall.
Mr. Wexson will be right out, the butler said. You may
wait in the living room.

A few minutes later, a portly, serene-looking man with

snow white hair Arnold Wexson opened his palms in
greeting as the tall, silver-haired man entered his office.
Welcome, welcome, Wexson said. His voice was melodic
and grandfatherly. Tell me, what has been happening?
The porter brought two cups of still-steaming chamomile
tea and a small bowl of sugar. Wexson picked his cup up and
took a long sip, apparently unaffected by the searing liquid
heat that swam down his throat. He raised one white, bushy
eyebrow in expectation.
Havent you heard? the silver-haired man said stirring a
spoonful of sugar into his own cup and taking a sip. Dont

you read the news?

I have no time for that, Wexson said with a wave of his
hand. I want to hear all about it first-hand.
Well, the first phase of the plan is well underway, the
silver-haired man said. Johnny Dunmore was an easy
target. With just a little bit of prodding, he went over the
edge, and now with this new reality show which was an
unexpected windfall, by the way he will be a consistent
pain in the neck for Pastor Taylor.
Pastor? Wexson chuckled. Im sure were still agreed
that wont be the case for long.
Yes, yes, the silver-haired man blushed. But not too
fast. Now, about phase two. Everything is going somewhat

Somewhat? Are we in trouble?

No, no, we arent. It just seems as though someone
tipped off the pastor about the new hire.
That cant be good, Wexson said rubbing his knuckles.
No, but it seems as though he talked the pastor into
keeping things silent for now. What we need to do is find out
who snitched and make sure they keep silent. The silverhaired man fell silent and seemed to lapse into deep thought.
Then he said, We cant allow anything to threaten the
cause.
Exposure may be a good thing, Wexson said after a
moment. Its time for the world to see the true colors of
these Bible-thumping bigots.

The silver-haired man frowned at Wexsons strident tone.

Remember, he said, this is my crusade. I came to you. We
are going to take things slowly or I will call everything off.
My call.
Your call? Wexson scoffed. You dream too small, Sean.
You may carry out your little plan. But I am working on a
much bigger one.

Chapter 23
Late Friday, at my planning teams weekend meeting, one
of the staff informed us that she thought it would be unwise
to continue Glinton Sanfords project.
Why? I said.
We got a letter from someone threatening a lawsuit
against us and Sanford if we go ahead with his marketing
campaign.
Weve gotten those before, I said.
Yeah, but if these people are as deep-pocketed as
Sanford says they are, we could be in for a lot of trouble. Its
not just one entity we would be going up against here, she
said.
Let me see the letter, I said. The letter read:
Wegel & Company
To Whom it May Concern:
It has come to my attention that a former
member of my church, Glinton Sanford, has acquired
your companys services to engage in a defamatory,
unfounded, and vicious attack campaign against my
church and our non-profit ministry. To gain
legitimacy, he has also roped in others and has made
unfounded accusations against over two dozen
Christian ministers. You should know that Sanford
left our church years ago, as a disgruntled man, and
has issues with us that he has yet to resolve.

For your own good and the good of your

company, I urge you to not aid and abet Sanford in
his witch hunt. If you do, we will proceed with legal
action against not only Glinton Sanford, but your
company as well.
Sincere Regards,
Justin Summers
Legal Counsel
House of Wealth International Fellowship
The name of the church set memory bells ringing in my
head. When I examined the letterhead closer, I realized that
this was the same House of Wealth my father had left many
years agoand it was still pastored by Morris Richmore.
...
The next day I attended the Nations Sunday planning
committee meeting at City of Fellowship. All of the talk about
missions and lost souls made me think of my friend Leon
Juarez who had led me to the Lord. I realized that I hadnt
been keeping up with his updates from the mission field in
Indonesia. When I got home that evening, I logged on to his
blog and read his last message posted a few days before.
Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), the church
leaders here have decided to shut down the church
for good. They say it is too much of a risk and it is
putting the lives of Christians in danger from the
Muslim extremist element in the region. Other
churches have been robbed, set on fire, and forced to
close. No one has been killed or injured yet. Thank

God, though, many local Muslims do not agree with

the extremists. They, like us, want to live and let live.
Anyway, for now, the local congregation is being
organized into small house church groups. Some of
the other local pastors and I will visit each of these
congregations to conduct services at least once a
week.
In other news, we got our air condition fixed.
(Finally! My wife is very happy about that especially
with the baby coming.)
Keep praying for us, folks!
Right then, I said a prayer of safety and success for Leon
and for the people he was working with in Indonesia, and
promised myself I would get in touch soon.

Chapter 24
Nations Sunday was a colorful, high-energy affair. Booths
filled the foyer area as charities and mission agencies used
the opportunity to explain their ministries, receive pledges,
and sign people up for short-term mission trips and other
volunteer activities. Church attendees were encouraged to
wear native dress or clothing that reflected the colors of their
homeland.
The worship service featured a series of international
music style aboriginal drum beats, trilling Irish flutes, an
Austrian orchestra, and Indian banjo-playing. It was an eyeopening, informative, and inspiring time as several of the
missionaries whom the church supported regularly delivered
presentations on their mission work. Some of those who
could not return to Maryland for the service sent in video
reports that were played on the big screens.
Everything was going well until the procession of the
flags began. The two double doors at the back of the
auditorium were flung open. On stage, trumpets began
blowing loudly and in a celebratory fashion. Matthew 28:1920 was displayed on the big screens: Go ye therefore, and
teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:and,
lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
Amen. Beneath the verse, a small image of each flag of the
world was displayed.

Through the open doors marched a stream of people

carrying a flag pole and on each pole a flag of a different
country all 196 of them. This year, the flag procession was
organized alphabetically.
Like I said, everything was going well until I noticed that
people around me in the audience were pointing and
whispering at the lines of flag bearers marching through the
aisles to the front of the church. I thought that maybe
something was wrong with one of the flags. But when I
looked closer I saw what had some people whispering in
the middle of one of the lines of marchers, sandwiched
between the flags of Tunisia and Turkey, was a person
bearing the distinct rainbow flag of the gay pride
movement. The shock and surprise that registered on more
peoples faces was like deja vu for me. Im sure I wasnt the
only one thinking about Johnny Dunmore. And I was pretty
sure that when the planning committee and I went over the
flag procession layout, that particular flag was not among the
others.
No one appeared willing to do anything about it, but the
whispers increased until one stocky man with a military
buzzcut stepped out of his seat and directly into the line of
flag-bearers.
Get that abomination out of the house of God! he
shouted as he wrenched the flag pole out of the marchers
hands. The marcher turned out to be a kid who couldnt have
been any older than thirteen.
What are you doing carrying this flag in this church?
the man demanded.

Nearly the whole auditorium had stopped to watch and

now people were talking loudly and animatedly all over the
auditorium. The kids face twisted like he was going to cry.
Th-thats the one they gave me.
Who gave it to you? We ought to burn this flag on stage.
The man ripped the rainbow flag from the pole.
Just then, Abigail ran down the aisle and grabbed the
boys arm rescuing him from his dilemma. Keep moving,
people, she whisper-shouted waving along the other flagbearers who had bottlenecked behind the commotion.

Chapter 25
You mean to tell me that you had nothing to do with that
gay flag during the Nations Sunday celebration? Pastor
Thomas Taylor asked. Shirt-sleeves rolled up, he paced the
floor behind his seat in the large room where the churchs
elders met. He looked like he hadnt slept the night before.
You saw me; I was on stage, Ferrian Flay said holding
his hands up. Taylor had called the new music director in to
speak with him before the elders gathered for an
unscheduled meeting on Monday morning. I had nothing to
do with that flag.
Well, someone did, Taylor said. And if it wasnt you, I
bet you know who it is.
Flay shook his head. You and I had an agreement. I
respect that. Just like you dont want any trouble here, I
dont either. I just want to serve the Lord in peace.
Taylor sighed. You may go now.
Flay got up and headed toward the door. Let me know
when you find out something. Im ready to put this
distraction behind us so we can get back to what we do best,
he said.
Yeah, Taylor muttered. Its going to be a while before
we put this behind us. He slumped down in his seat at one
end of the table and pulled out his iPad to check his e-mails
and the latest news until everyone else arrived. As he had
feared, the news about City of Fellowship Bible Church was

negative, mostly centering around the homosexual flag

incident. The video of one of the church members seizing the
flag and calling it an abomination had been uploaded
multiple times on YouTube and the view count was already
in the millions. News commentators were calling the church
homophobic and bigoted and some were demanding that
Pastor Taylor address the issue publicly. Johnny Dunmore
had been interviewed on CNN; he said he had long felt
uncomfortable with the churchs stance on gays. (That little
traitor, Taylor thought.) Even now, he could hear cars
honking at the protesters who had gathered across the street
from the church.

A few minutes later, all of the elders had gathered and

had begun talking over each other about their ideas for a
solution to this problem.
Taylor had only been half-listening when he cleared his
throat. He clasped his hands on the table in front of him. I
need to just get this off my chest. Everyone looked at him
expectantly. Ever since Johnny shocked us all with his
sudden departure, I have had this weird feeling that
something is going on like were being played. Like
Like the devil is out to get us, Stan, the human
resources director, interjected. Because, you knowhe is.
Yeah, but someone else is too. Taylor leaned forward
tapping a finger on the table as he pointed out the succeeding
events. Then Gemma left. She said it was temporary, but
she hasnt been back. Then we got a questionable new music
director.

Questionable? How? said one of the elders.

Just trust me, Taylor said, swallowing hard. Now was
not the time to disclose his agreement with Flay. On top of
that, weve had two very negative episodes of media
coverage.
And one very positive episode of media coverage
courtesy of said questionable person, Stan piped in.
Negative coverage always trumps positive coverage, one
of the elders said.
Just keeping things in perspective, Stan said.
Perspective aside, Taylor said, what Im saying is, all of
this happening at this time seems to me like its
planned. Like someone is instigating all of this.
The elders looked around at each other, quietly
registering what their pastor had just said. One silver-haired
elder spoke up. Well, Johnny Dunmore isnt the first enemy
youve made, pastor.
No, he isnt.

Chapter 26
Im sorry, but I have to inform you that weve decided to
put your campaign on hold for the time being, I told Mr.
Sanford over the phone. I knew he wouldnt be happy, but
after receiving a letter threatening legal action, the team and
I had decided we at least needed more time to determine the
kind of risks we would open ourselves up to and possible
ways to mitigate those risks, if not remove them altogether. I
had some ideas on how to do that already, but I didnt want
to mention them just yet.
What do you mean youre putting it on hold, Sanfords
voice rose over the receiver. Im prepared to pay you guys
good money.
Prepared is the key word, I said. Anytime we have
reason to believe that our actions on a clients behalf would
be the source of legal action against the company, its in our
best interest to take a closer look at the marketing plan, and
if possible come up with one that eliminates the risk.
But we agreed to do this, Glinton said.
No, we agreed to consider it and that is what we have
been doing. It is just going to take us a little bit longer. Ill let
you know when we come up with a viable marketing plan
that will not lead to legal action against either of our
companies. If we can do that.
I could hear Glinton huffing on the other end of the line.
I have spent twenty years preparing for this crusade, he

said. I know this will be successful no matter what kind of

legal threats they hit us with. God is on our side.
Maybe He is, I said. But we still have to do our due
diligence.
Look, I told you I
Mr. Sanford, I said raising my voice over his. Ill send
you an e-mail letting you know what well be doing during
this review time. I said goodbye and hung up before he
could go off again.
As I sat at my desk typing up an e-mail to send to him,
my phone buzzed. I picked it up and leaned back in my seat.
It was an update from Leons blog. Just a few minutes
earlier, he had posted the following note:
This will be a very quick post. We are getting farther
away from the city and the internet service is choppy. We
are on the run with a truckload of angry extremists behind
us. Headed into the woods. Our vehicle is very low on gas
we had no time to get fuel so we will soon be on foot. My
wife, newborn baby (yay!), and about a dozen locals are
with us. Chami says he knows some friendly villagers about
20 miles into the woods.
We think that one of the house church members was an
undercover Muslim. He found out all of the homes where
people were meeting and sent the info to his cohorts. We
have no idea what went down at the other meeting houses.
We were attacked with smoke grenades and some kind of
explosive device. I think the house was set on fire. But I am
glad that everyone who was with us got out safely.
Hopefully, we will hear from the other believers soon.

Pray for us!

P.S.: The GPS of our location (at the time of this post)
will automatically display at the bottom of this entry and
on the corresponding tweet.

Chapter 27

Elder Sean Petris words had made Thomas Taylor do

some thinking. He did have at least one avowed enemy
Arnold Wexson. He and Arnold had gone to seminary
together. They had been friends, but that began to change
when, upon graduation, Taylor had been offered a
professorship that Arnold had been pursuing. Taylor
accepted; Arnold seethed. A year later, Taylor gave up the job
to start City of Fellowship Bible Church. He had invited
Arnold to be a part of the team; he accepted, first as a pastor
to families, and then as an elder. Taylor had never felt that
Arnold had let go of his negative feelings about the
professorship position, and Taylor didnt feel as though he
could be fully trusted. Whatever the case, Arnold had left the
church three years earlier. (Taylor was glad when he did.)
It didnt take long to find Arnold Wexsons address. He
was some sort of spirituality guru now. He was helping
people find their inner god.
Whatever, thought Taylor as he stood in the turnabout in
front of the two-story mansion on Baltimores east side. He
walked up the steps and rang the doorbell.
A butler answered and stared down at him.
Im here to see ArnoldWexson, Taylor said. Im an
old friend. Not really.
The butler nodded and waved him in, telling him to wait
in the living room. He looked around, particularly at the

display of photos on the mantel above the fireplace. Two in

particular made him freeze.
A minute or two later, the butler came back to usher him
into an office a few doors down a long hall. The butler left,
quietly shutting the door behind him.
A portly-looking man was standing behind a desk with
his back to the door. He had white hair; Taylor noted that it
was dyed.
Arnold, he said.
The man turned around. Thomas, he said. Its been a
long time. To what do I owe the pleasure of thisvisit? Its
been three years.
I know, and I havent heard from you. I thought you
might have moved elsewhere.
Why would I? Arnold said, pulling out his seat behind
his desk and sitting down in it. He took a sip from a stillsteaming tea cup. Baltimore is my home.
Then Im sure youve heard of whats been going on at
our church.
How could I not? Arnold spread his hands apart.
Tough time youre having over there. I do hope youve not
come to offer me a position. Not sure what I could do to help
you.
No, thats not why Ive come, Taylor said. Ive come
because something tells me that you have a hand in all of the
negative things that have been happening at City of
Fellowship.

Wait a minute. Youre accusing me? Arnolds face

suddenly became red and tight with anger.
Not accusing you. Just asking you to tell me whats going
on.
Nothings going on, Arnold looked strained and furious.
Dont tell me nothings going on. Johnny came to you for
something recently, Taylor said. Dont deny it. I saw the
picture. You married him and Gemma. And I know for
certain that that happened sometime within the past three
weeks. I bet you have something to do with the real reason
why Johnny left in the first place.
He had to follow his own path to enlightenment, Arnold
said. He settled back in his seat, his face resuming its
previous placid expression.
So, you knew he would leave? You encouraged him to
leave? Taylor said.
We both had ourquestions for a while, Arnold said.
Lets just say that I helped him along in his spiritual
journey. He paused and then added. I guess I should go
ahead and admit that I didnt stop there.

Chapter 28
Pastor Taylor found out that Arnold Wexson hadnt
stopped with just his influence on Johnnie Dunmoore.
Arnold hadnt just left the church all those years ago either;
he had left his faith in God and developed his own spiritual
guidance ministry, promising his patrons that they would
find the truth and the light within. (Arnold didnt say just
how much money this guidance business generated, but
Taylor figured it must have been a lot considering the
opulent mansion and the rich furnishings within it.)
Beyond that, Arnold had set out to undermine his
former place of service. Publishing several letters to the
editor in local newspapers, Arnold had posed as a
disgruntled former member of City of Fellowship Bible
Church. He had criticized the church, attacked Bible
doctrine, accused the leaders of hypocrisy and more. Taylor
remembered the letters well, although he hadnt thought
about them much since they stopped being published after
about three months. He remembered wondering who the
writer behind them could have been. After discussing the
matter with the church staff, they had decided not to respond
to the letters publicly, but sent out a note to each of the
newspapers asking the editors to let the letter-writer know
that the church leaders were willing to answer any questions
or concerns they had. The church had never received a reply.

During his meeting with Arnold, Taylor had the mind

to record the conversation. He took his iPhone out,
pretending to check the time, and then put it back in his shirt

pocket upside down with the microphone facing out. After

getting one of the technicians in the churchs media center to
filter out the background noise and raise the volume, he
replayed the entire recording for the elders during their next
meeting. Now, Arnolds voice came through the speakers in
the room where the elders met.
Im going to keep coming after you and your church,
Arnold said. Ill make you realize that you dont really
believe all the things you say you stand for.
Nothing you do will ever change what I believe,
Taylor said.
Its not just what I will do, but what I have already
done. And, look youre shifting already. Ferrian told me
about your little agreement to keep quiet about his
homosexuality. Johnnie told me how you have been avoiding
those difficult passages in the Bible.
You dont know what youre talking about, Taylor
said.
Oh, I think I do, Arnold replied. And you do too. You
always were soft-hearted not wanting to offend anyone, so
you dont preach on those passages that condemn certain
sins. Ive got a record of all your messages, so I know. Our
seminary professors will be very disappointed in you.
Now that I know what youre up to, Im going to put an
end to it, Taylor said.
Not sure how youre going to do that without shooting
yourself in the foot, Arnold said.
Taylor, himself, wasnt even sure.

You cant hurt me, cant stop me, Arnold smiled.

But I can expose you, Taylor said
Wouldnt change a thing. You know why? Because
youre dealing with a man who has nothing to lose.

Chapter 29
I felt uneasy after reading the post from Leon about
what was going down in Indonesia. Before I left the office, I
tried calling him several times on his satellite phone but
didnt get an answer. Maybe he had left it behind when they
had to leave the house where the local church was meeting,
or maybe it was damaged or destroyed. I prayed for him and
his wife before calling Manley.
Did you hear about Leon? I asked.
Yes. Me and Abbi have been thinking of something we
can do to help.
Something like what?
Weve been going through Leons contacts to see if
anybody else has heard something. Nothing on that so far.
So, were thinking that if we dont get an update in the next
twenty-four hours, were flying over there.
You fly planes? I asked.
No, but I have connections, Manley said. Im
working on some now.
Okay. I want in, I said.
Sure, Manley said.

Late evening the next day, Manley, Abigail, and I

boarded a small jet at an airfield about thirty miles south of
Baltimore.
It used to be a military facility, until it was abandoned

and converted for civilian use about ten years ago, Manley
said.
The pilot was an older Californian man who worked for
American Airlines before he decided to go into business for
himself. Now, he piloted private flights like ours and taught
aviation at an Air Force Academy. His name was Marco.
Does your friend know youre coming? he asked once we
boarded his plane.
Were not for sure, Manley said. He gave us just
enough information to find him if we look hard enough.
So, a rescue mission then?
Were hoping that everything works out so it wont
come to that, but it will be if it has to.

After a sixteen hour flight across the Atlantic, we

stopped to refuel in Morocco. The sun was hot and the air
was dusty in Casablanca, and Marco told us that a dust storm
had just blown across the city. I had only traveled out of the
country once before with my parents when we vacationed
in Mexico about eight years ago. The long flight hours had
made us all a bit cramped and tired, so we got out and
walked around while Marco refueled the plane and talked to
the control tower.
Marco insisted on getting something to eat so we
ordered pizza inside the terminal and ate in the airports
waiting area. We tried to reach Leon on the satellite phone
again, but we got no answer. While Abigail informed our
friends back in the states about our progress, I checked

Leons blog to see if he had posted another update, but he

hadnt. We did, however, receive an update from the mission
agency that was sponsoring Leons trip. They said they were
working to re-establish contact with the team on the ground.
Before we got back on the plane, we prayed again for
our own safety while traveling and for the protection of Leon
and the church members in Indonesia. If this did turn out to
be a rescue mission, we were seriously going in blind.

Chapter 30
How can one man be doing all of this? one of the
elders asked after the recording of Pastor Taylors
conversation with Arnold Wexson had finished playing. I
mean, I really want to just chalk it all up to Arnold going
crazy, but he sounds serious.
He is serious, Taylor said. Hes already proven that.
Now, we just need to figure out what to do about it. We
obviously cant continue on the path were on. He obviously
still has connections to people in this church that we didnt
know about.
Sleeper agents, working from within, Stan said.
Taylor nodded. We need to find out who they are.
And you never told us about this deal you had with the
music director, another of the elders said wrinkling up his
face.
I didnt know what else to do, Taylor said. It would
look really bad if we fired a new music director just two
weeks after hiring him. And he agreed not to make it an
issue, so I decided to keep quiet about it.
You should have told us at least.
Whats done is done, Taylor said. We have to focus
on moving forward. What are we going to do now?
I say we expose Arnold Wexson, said one elder
leaning back in his seat and crossing his arms. Tell everyone
what hes up to. Theres still a lot of people in this church
who remember him.

But you risk two things: theres a lot more people who
dont know him and wont care, another elder said. On top
of that, some of the people who do know him will remember
him as the person he was, not the person he is now
Well give them the facts, the first elder said.
Let me finish, the second elder went on. Those
people will not want to believe what were telling them about
him. They are going to want to hear his side of the story,
which raises a third problem. By exposing Wexson, we
expose ourselves. People will begin to question us just as
much if not more than they question him.
A moment of silence followed the elders speech.
Theres not much we can do except carry on, one
elder said. We wont let Wexson put us into a position where
we compromise what we believe on the issue of
homosexuality and other issues from the Word of God, the
Bible.
He already has, another elder said.
So were trapped, Taylor said.
I have a feeling this is exactly where our good friend,
Arnold, knew we would be right now, Stan said.
He did, the silver-haired elder Sean Petri said. He had
been silent the whole time.
Pastor Taylor looked at him. Wait, he said leaning
forward in his seat. You knew. You knew the whole time
that Wexson was behind Johnnie Dunmoore leaving and
behind the recommendation to hire the openly homosexual
Ferrian Flay. Thats why you said it was an enemy I had

made before, isnt it?

Yes, I did know, Sean said.
Everyone was silent again.

Chapter 31
The air was thick with heat when we landed in Jakarta.
After entering the terminal, where we got our passports
stamped and passed our minimal luggage through customs,
we met with Charla Mann, an official from Leons mission
board.
Any news? Manley asked as we followed Charla out of
the terminal to the jeep she had rented.
No. Charla shook her head, the short black bob she
wore bouncing up and down as she did so. And in this case,
no news is not good news.
You havent heard anything from anyone? Abigail
said.
We checked in with a few of the neighbors who lived
near the house churches throughout the city. They say
everyone left abruptly three nights ago. Some church
members went back to their homes. Some left and never
came back, Charla said. At least, as far as we can tell, no
one was kidnapped or killed. But this was left somewhere
inside each house. She pulled a thick, yellow sheet of paper
from her pocket and spread it out on the hood of the jeep.
Manley, Abigail, and I gathered around and stared at
the paper. I dont read Indonesian, I said.
It says, Gather here again and we will destroy this
house,' Charla read.
So, now what? Abigail said.

The break-in incidents have already been reported to

the local authorities, but they probably wont do anything
about it, Charla said. The largest number of believers are
missing from Leons house church. So, we need to look there
first.
I pulled up Leons last blog post on my phone. He
hasnt posted anything else, I said. So the closest we have
to his location are these coordinates.
We all got in the jeep, and Charla put the coordinates
into the GPS system. The location is a wooded area about
sixty miles north of here. Its well outside the city
boundaries, and there are villages beyond that. Lets get
going.
.
Once we got out of Jakarta proper, we drove on dusty
and bumpy roads to our destination. The sun went down
until we were riding in the dusk. Just as we reached the
location indicated on the GPS device, we noticed something
up ahead: a pickup truck with official-looking signage on the
door and hood and two uniformed men standing on the side
of the narrow road. Ahead of them, a large van had been
driven into a ditch. One of the men was talking on a walkietalkie; the other was writing information on a clipboard.
Indonesian National Police, Charla said as she pulled
up behind them and got out.
The police officer on the walkie-talkie turned and
approached us. Is this your vehicle? he said with a thick
accent.

No, but it may belong to a friend of ours, Charla said.

And where is this friend? Did he abandon the van on
the side of the road?
We dont know. We are trying to find him, Manley
said.
May we take a look at the van? Charla asked.
You are welcome to go and see. But we will be towing
it back to the city, the officer said.
Charla and Manley went up to the van and looked
around inside. They came back looking grim. Charla gave the
police a number to contact once the van had been towed and
then came back to the jeep.
What did you find? I said.
Nothing, Charla said as she turned the key in the
ignition. But the glass was broken out on the panel. The
indicators on the odometer, compass, and gas gauge were all
forcibly turned to the right east. I think Leons sending us
a message. They took a right turn, going east somewhere up
ahead.
Charla slowly drove around the police truck and the van
and we proceeded down the road, looking for a road that led
east. Only a few minutes had passed when I noticed what
looked like the beginning of a narrow dirt road. Wait, I
said. Look there.
The entrance to the pathway was covered in thick
branches, but they hung at unnatural angles as though
someone had bent them that way on purpose to hide the
road. I got out of the jeep and walked to the wall of foliage

and pushed it aside. The narrow dirt road, bordered by trees,

stretched away into the distance.

Chapter 32
Pastor Thomas Taylor took Sunday off. He had so much
on his mind; he didnt think he could handle the pulpit. He
went golfing instead.
He invited Raymond Johnson to go with him. Raymond
was over sixty-years-old; he had founded City of Fellowship
almost forty years earlier. While he no longer held an official
position at the church, Taylor frequently went to him for
advice.
So, what is on your mind these days? Raymond said
as he and Taylor teed off at the first hole. I thought you were
supposed to be in the pulpit today.
I know, Taylor said. But I have a lot of things on my
mind.
Church stuff? As far as I can tell, everything seems to
be going well.
As far as you can tell, Taylor said, Thats the
problem. Everythings not so well behind the scenes.
Whats going on? Raymond said.
Taylor explained the whole situation with Arnold
Wexson and Sean Petri undermining City of Fellowship from
within and without. So, weve got a used-to-be-Christian
criticizing the church on the airwaves. Weve lost our very
good music minister. We have a new, openly homosexual
music director. And Arnold is threatening to do further
damage. I dont know what that means nor do I know how to

stop him without ruining the church.

Arnold Wexson, Raymond said thoughtfully as he
leaned on his golf club. Hes still upset about that
professorship. Strange how some people cant let go of
grudges.
Its not just the professorship hes mad about, Taylor
said.
Oh, what is it then?
Sarah. Taylor rested his club across his shoulder as he
and Raymond walked to the next hole.
Sarah? Your wife, Sarah? Raymond said, his brows
knitting together.
Yes, we both knew her in college. I found out later,
after graduation, that Arnold was in love with her as well.
Ah, the things some people do for love, Raymond
said. But there is nothing you can do about yesterdays
problems.
I know. What about todays?
Raymond dropped his golf ball to the grass, bent over,
and started tapping it with his club as though he were
preparing to hit it. Someone once told me that everyone, in
their life, goes through a crucible at least one. Either you
come out alive on the other side of the crucible, or you die in
it not just physically, but spiritually, mentally, and
emotionally. Either you struggle through it, or you give up in
it. It looks like you are about to give up.
No, Im not giving up, Taylor said.

But, right now, youre not fighting. You dont even

have a plan. Youre out here playing golf when you should be
preaching. Raymond swung hard and hit the ball; it sailed
up in an arch, landed, and rolled to a stop a few feet away
from the third hole.
Im trying to think of a plan, Taylor said. He set his
ball on the ground and hit it. It shot past the hole and landed
in the shrubbery on the other side.
While youre doing that, the devil already has one and
so do the enemies of Gods church. Raymond and Taylor
went to retrieve their balls. And the plan you need is
painfully obvious.
Whats that? Taylor kicked around in the shrubs until
he came up with his ball.
Tell the whole church the whole truth, Raymond said.
Taylor stared. I dont see how that helps. In fact, I
think it will make things worse. It will put a bad taste in
peoples mouths, thats for sure. Some people will probably
leave.
Maybe. But at least you will see whos on your side and
whos not.
Taylor scratched his head. He looked doubtful.
You got a better idea? Raymond said.
I just want it all to go away. We need to shut down
whatever ties Arnold still has inside the church. The first step
to doing that is getting rid of Flay. But how?
Thats easy, Raymond said. Hes living in open sin.

Fire him.
Taylor nodded doubtfully.
If you dont do it now, you will have bigger problems
down the road, Raymond said. Your first loyalty is to Christ
and his Word. You cant let peoples opinions, public
perception, or anything else get in the way of that. I heard
about a church that had a homosexual leading the churchs
music ministry. The pastor knew about it, but he let it go on
for months. When the church congregation found out about
it from a secular news report, he had a big mess on his
hands. The sad thing is that the pastor defended his decision
to let this homosexual lead the church in worshipping God. I
never thought I would see Judas churches like that.

Chapter 33
The long dirt road was dusty and bumpy. It was so
narrow that two cars couldnt drive abreast. We had to stop
and pull over onto the underbrush anytime we came across a
vehicle going in the opposite direction.
I dont think any of us were sure what we were looking
for exactly. Not even Charla. But, as we drove, we just kept
hoping and praying for the best. After what seemed like an
hour, the road opened up, and houses started to pop up
around us. The houses were spaced out, with cultivated fields
surrounding them. Evidently, we were in some type of
farming community. We kept driving and came to a place
where the houses were closer together, and larger buildings,
such as a school and what looked like a medical clinic,
appeared. Charla cut the jeep to a crawling pace because the
main street was filled with people, some walking, and some
pulling wooden carts.
We pulled up alongside a bustling market. Charla got
out and started browsing the vendors wares.
What is she doing? I said. Were supposed to be
finding Leon.
Just wait, Abigail said.
After looking at several stalls, Charla bought something
from each one and spent a minute talking to each vendor.
What was that about? I asked when she got back in
the car.

I was getting lunch and information, she said as she

passed around bananas and a deep purple-colored fruit.
People are more willing to talk to you when you give them
some cash.
And, Manley said.
Leon and his group came thru and stopped at a house
about half a mile from here. I got directions.

We heard them singing before we reached them. The

sound was melodious and raw, not like the polished sounds I
was used to at City of Fellowship. There were no musical
instruments, just human voices. At first, I thought the sound
was lacking until I realized that I had only seen one version
of how a local church looked and sounded. What if there
were many? What if what I was hearing now was closer to
the original churches?
Charla steered the jeep off the road and across a grassy
field to a wide, low-slung house with a thatched roof. We got
out and followed the sounds of singing around the building
where there were about forty people gathered. Some sat on
plastic chairs or folding chairs; some sat on the ground. All
faces were attentive and purposed; they didnt look the least
bit worried about having had to leave behind their homes in
the city. I wondered if the believers I knew back in the U.S.
would respond the same way. I wondered if I would.
An Indonesian man who was standing a few feet away
from the edge of the crowd recognized Charla. He came over
to her, and they embraced and kissed. Charla looked relieved
that he was okay. They spoke earnestly in Indonesian for a

few minutes and then he turned to Manley, Abigail, and me.

I am pleased to meet you, he said, shaking each of our
hands in turn. Our brother, Leon, has such good friends
who will come to find us and be with us in our time of
trouble. You are welcome here.

Chapter 34
"We should stop calling these meetings 'emergency
meetings,'" Stan said when the City of Fellowship Church
elders gathered midday on Monday. "The whole point of an
emergency is that it is rare."
"Hopefully, this will be the last one for a long time,"
Pastor Taylor said as he took his seat at the head of the table.
He clasped his hands as he began. "You all know the issues
we have been dealing with in this church over the past few
months. We have struggled to decide how to respond. Well, I
have been in touch with the man who founded this church.
He helped me clarify some things and reminded me why we
exist as a church." Taylor glanced around the table making
eye contact with each of the elders. "We exist as an
expression of Jesus Christ himself in the world today. We are
His church, and as such, we are obligated to do things His
way whether we agree with it or not. Our job is to advance
His work in the earth. When we deviate from that, or allow
others to force us from that path, we betray Christ. That
being said, I have made a few decisions about how we will
proceed to deal with the issues that we are facing."
"As you know," one of the elders interrupted, "we all
need to agree to these decisions you have made before they
are carried out."
"I know. I will present them to you now. I believe that
if you prayerfully consider each proposal, you will find that

each one is what the Lord would have us to do."

The elders looked around at each other and nodded
silently.
Taylor turned his attention to Sean Petri. "Sean, you
have been with this church since the very beginning.
However, your recent actions show that you have been
sowing the seeds of discord and division for several months.
While sitting among us as an elder, you began trying to tear
us down through your association with Arnold Wexson, a
sworn enemy of this church and the church of God as a
whole. You have forfeited your right to serve here, and we are
releasing you from your duties."
"Wait, you can't just fire me like that," Sean said.
"This has to be put to a vote."
"Fine, let's have a vote," Taylor said. "Considering
Sean's actions, if you agree that his service here should be
terminated, say 'I'; if not, say 'nay.'"
There was a resounding chorus of "I's".
"You have to let the congregation vote on this, too,"
Sean fumed as his face grew red.
"If we do that, we will have to reveal to the entire
church family what you have been doing to tear us down,"
Taylor said. "We know that there are many members who
love you, Sean. You can resign now, quietly, and keep a
measure of respect and dignity. We will forgive you, and not
one word about your deeds will go beyond this room. Or you
can make a spectacle out of this, lose all of your respect, and

further divide the church family." Taylor was silent for a

moment as he saw the gears working behind Sean's eyes.
"This is one last chance for you to do the right thing here.
Either way, you're gone."
Sean rose quietly from his seat at the table and left the
room.
Taylor let out a breath and moved to the next issue.
"You all know about Ferrian Flay," he said. "I made a verbal
agreement with him that if he never brought his spouse (who
also happens to be a man) to the church, that I wouldn't say
anything about him being a practicing homosexual. That was
wrong; I was wrong. As you know, if any of us was living in
sin, we would not be allowed to continue serving in the
ministry." He took a breath and then said, "I have decided to
terminate Flay's employment here effective immediately."
There were some nods of agreement around the table,
as well as more than a few murmurs of complaint.
"I know what you are thinking," Taylor said. "But,
right now, we can't be worried about the consequences. We
can't be worried about the fallout. All we can do is do the
right thing and let the chips fall where they may."

Chapter 35
The worship service with the Indonesian Christians
had a profound impact on my perception of Christianity. I
thought of the faith as a house. Up until our trip to
Indonesia, I had only seen the outside of the house the
pretty doors, windows, and painted walls. But, in Indonesia,
I saw the inside of the house. There, I saw Christianity
stripped down to its bare essentials people with a strong,
living faith in a strong, living God.
Back in the United States, I had more clarity
regarding what the church was supposed to be. I wondered if
we stripped away all the gloss and veneer at the City of
Fellowship (or any church for that matter), would we find the
same raw, beating heart of faith and trust in God as I saw
with the believers in Indonesia?
As a younger believer, it was easy to be swept up in
the eye-pleasing aspects of Christianity and to miss what true
faith is all about. It is less about convenience and comfort
and more about taking risks for God because He is reliable.
By taking a risk, we choose to live outside of our comfort
zone, and we let God know that we are willing to rely on Him
that is it, Him and us against the world, against whatever,
against whoever. For Leon, going to Indonesia was his risk.
It was his act of faith and obedience. I wondered what form
my risk would take and how soon it would come.

A day after our return from Indonesia, I went back to

work at Wegel & Co. Glinton Sanders was sitting in the
waiting room outside of my office when I arrived. I should
have been expecting him.
"Good morning, Mr. Sanders," I said. "What can I do
for you?"
"You know what you can do for me," Glinton said.
"I do. But I have been out of the country for a few
days, so give me a couple days to review where we are on
your project and get back with you."
Glinton stood up. "Look, I know you're worried about
taking on the Anti-Prosperity Gospel Taskforce. You will get
criticized. You might get sued. Your reputation may be
attacked," he said. "Yes, it's a risk, but it's one I'm taking. I'm
asking you to do the same."

Chapter 36
I sensed that something was different at this Sunday's
service. I think most people did. As we sat in the auditorium
before services, a nervous buzz hummed through the crowd.
Pastor Thomas Taylor walked out on stage. He cleared
his throat as he took the mic. "Before we begin our regular
services, we need to discuss something just as a church
family. Those of you who have been here for a while know
that there have been some rapid changes and conflicts over
the past few months," he said. "While much good has
continued to be done, not everything that has happened to
this church family over the past few months has been for the
better. Frankly, some of us in leadership failed to see the
warning signs of a serious attack on City of Fellowship Bible
Church. But I assure you, Jesus' words are still true: the
gates of hell will not prevail against us."
Starting with Johnny Dunmore's declaration of
atheism and his decision to resign, which had happened the
night I first attended this church, Pastor Taylor recounted all
that had happened since then some of which I was not
aware of. He included the music minister's resignation, the
hiring of a new music minister, the disparaging letters that
had been published about the church and the pastor in the
local newspapers, and the negative news coverage the church
had received.
"What would you say if I told you that all of it was

orchestrated?" Pastor Taylor paused for a moment. "Well, it

was. It was orchestrated by a man many of you know and
love Arnold Wexson." A ripple of recognition swept
through the crowd. "Some of you might know that, he, too,
has left the Way of Christ. Even though none of you, none of
us, did anything to wrong him, he turned against this church,
and, in his own words, will try to prove that we don't believe
what we say we believe."
A rumble of confusion rippled through the audience.
"But, we're going to prove him wrong, right?" Taylor
waited for applause or something, but then went on. "And
that starts with me. I have fallen into the trap of thinking of
the church as a business thinking that if I do or don't do
certain things more people will be attracted to this church.
Those things include how I preach God's Word. Preaching
about sin always makes people uncomfortable. Especially the
sins that we try to brush over in the church: homosexuality,
loving money more than we love God, husbands not being
the leaders of their families, our lack of interest in soulwinning and prayer." Taylor raised his voice. "I promise you,
that ends today."
There was applause at that.
"I promise you that anyone on this church staff who
refuses to live according to biblical principles, including
myself, will not be allowed to serve. That is why I have fired
the music minister whom we hired a few weeks ago. He is a
married, practicing homosexual. And, I am ashamed to
admit, that I agreed to keep that a secret."

So, Abigail was right. People throughout the

congregation leaned over to whisper to others near them.
Then, many of them stood and applauded.
"Before anything else," Taylor concluded, "we are a
church of the Lord Jesus Christ. What He says, as outlined in
His Word, is the only guideline for our faith and our lives.
Our first loyalty is to Him. And we will not forsake Him. We
will not betray Him. We will not be a Judas Church."

THE END.