“And where is my armor bearer supposed to sit,” another one yelled out.

  Dam had just about had enough. He pointed toward the bleachers. “We have plenty of seats still available. Anyone who doesn’t already have a seat on the field will have to go the bleachers. We thank you so much for your cooperation.”

  As the preachers headed for the bleachers, one of the preachers said, “God is not the author of confusion.”

  No, Dam thought, God is not, but Bishop Thomas sure is. Despite all of Bishop’s antics with trying to take over and run the show as if the crusade was a ministry he birthed, the rest of the event scheduled for that night proceeded as planned.

  The mayor of the city and the governor of the state attended the event and presented a plaque declaring the first day of the crusade to be Isaac Walker Sr. Day. Donovan, Iona, and Isaac stood on the stage as the plaques were presented. The entire Walker family teared up during the presentation. Isaac Walker Sr. was a great man, and it is good that he be honored in this way.

  Isaac lifted the plaque heavenward. “This one’s for you, Dad.”

  Praise and worship got the crowd on their feet, but Bishop Thomas tore the house down when he preached a message, titled, Stay Humble. Even with everything they had gone through with Bishop Thomas, Dam and Isaac found themselves jumping out of their seat, high-fiving each other and amening the bishop as he preached his heart out.

  When service was over, not many came to the altar that night, but Dam and Isaac still believed the night was a success. “Whoa, did you see how the crowd responded to his message. I don’t even want to preach tomorrow after that,” Isaac said.

  “You better go on and do what God told you to do. Your message is going to speak to the hearts of the people,” Dam assured him.

  “Do you know what you’re going to preach about.”

  Dam shook his head. “God hasn’t given me one single word yet. I’ve been praying and praying about it. Amarrea says that I’m overthinking this. But hey, since Bishop is going to preach on the third night. I don’t have to worry about it until the fourth night of the crusade, right.”

  Bishop walked over to them and put arms around them as if they were the best of friends. “God is up to something with this crusade. I can feel it. Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of it.”

  Dam and Isaac were left speechless, and Bishop walked away. It took a few seconds, but finally, Isaac said, “Is that the same man we’ve been dealing with?”

  “Maybe God has truly gotten hold of him.” Dam was amazed at the turnaround. But he had enough faith in God to believe anything was possible.

  ~~~

  Jade was at home watching the broadcast of the crusade. If she didn’t know her husband like the back of her hand, she would swear God had gotten hold of him. It was that or...

  She wasn’t big on discerning spirits like the saints talked about. But she could discern Daniel Thomas’ spirit. She picked up the phone and called him. Bishop answered on the first ring. In the past few years, he’d never picked up one of her calls before the third or fourth ring. Sometimes he didn’t pick up at all, and just called her back when he had time. The life of a bishop, just busy, busy, busy.

  “Hey babe, how are you doing tonight?” Bishop asked.

  “I’m doing good. I just watched your sermon, it truly moved me.”

  “I wish you could have been here with us tonight, Jade. I truly missed having you with me. Do you think you can come out to the crusade this week and labor with us?”

  She hesitated a moment, then said, “I just might do that. But look, the reason I’m calling is that I know how you like to through parties for your VIP after conventions. I didn’t want to be selfish and not allow you to use the house this week if you wanted to host some of your friends.”

  “You would do that for me?”

  “Look, Daniel, I’m not your enemy. If you need the house, I can stay in your hotel room and let you host your friends.”

  “Are you sure you wouldn’t need to come back to the house for anything?”

  “Don’t I always leave when you host your VIPs?”

  “Okay then. I’ll pack up and be at the house in the morning. And Jade...”

  “Yes, Daniel?”

  “Thank you. I truly have come to realize just how much you mean to me in these weeks that we have been apart.”

  “I’m sure I will see how much I mean to you before the week is out.” She hung up with bishop but immediately placed another call, then began packing a bag so she could go and enjoy room service on the bishop.

  ~~~

  The second night of the crusade was even better than the first. Where they had empty seats in the bleacher section on the first night, there wasn’t an empty seat in the place when Isaac stood behind the podium and delivered his message on forgiveness. When Isaac was finished, the altar was flooded by weeping and repented souls.

  “All I can say is wow,” Dam said to Isaac as they left the crusade for the night. “You got that message straight from the throne room.”

  Isaac nodded. “Yes, I did. It is time for all of us to learn how to forgive so that we can truly accept the forgiveness that God wants to give to us.”

  “Amen, brother. Amen.”

  Amarrea had stayed home with Jewel because their one-month-old baby didn’t enjoy sitting still for hours. When Dam got home, he found his wife in bed. “Did you watch the crusade tonight?”

  “I sure did, from what I just heard on CNN, the viewership went from one million last night to 4.5 million tonight.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Dam couldn’t believe what he was hearing. God was truly blessing the crusade and allowing their message to get out to a hurting world.

  “No, I’m not kidding.” Amarrea pulled the cover back. “Come to bed, you look exhausted.”

  “I will, I just want to see Jewel first.” Dam took off his jacket and undid his tie. He then went into the nursery which was next to their bedroom and stared at his sleeping angel. There had been so much stress and pain involved in bringing Jewel into the world. But as he looked at her, sleeping peacefully in her baby bed, Dam knew that he and Amarrea would do it all over again.

  Leaning into the bed, his kissed his sweet princess on the cheek. She stirred, flopped her arms a bit and then settled down again. Dam was tempted to wake her so he could have the pleasure of sitting in the rocking chair and rock her to sleep. But his body was aching. He was hesitant to start something he might not be able to finish.

  He jumped into the shower, then put on a pair of pajama pants and came to bed. Dam pulled Amarrea into his arms and kissed the back of her neck. “I love holding you like this.”

  “Yeah, holding me until you fall asleep.” Amarrea laughed at him.

  “I know I’ve been falling asleep on you lately. But the body is exhausted. I promise I’ll do better once this crusade is over.”

  Amarrea shook her head. “Bae, I don’t think you understand what you and Isaac have started. This crusade will probably last until Jesus returns. Next, you’ll be traveling from this town to that.”

  “You really think so?” Dam yawned.

  “I think this is the moment that God has been preparing you for all your life. You better get that sermon ready... don’t embarrass us when it’s your turn to preach.”

  “There you go with that mouth of yours.” Dam tickled his wife. As Amarrea giggled and squirmed Dam forgot all about how tired he was and held onto his wife as if the world was ending. By morning Dam wished the world had ended, then he wouldn’t have to deal with the firestorm that had just rained down on them.

  15

  “Turn on the news, man. We have got a serious problem this time,” Isaac said during his 6 a.m. phone call to Dam.

  Dam rubbed his eyes and tried to sit up in bed. “What’s going on?”

  “Remember that problem we didn’t take care of? Well, it has struck again.”

  “Bishop? But he’s been doing so good lately.”

  “Turn on the TV, Dam. We’re done.” Isaac sounded despondent.

  Dam nudged Amarrea. “Huh? What?” Her eyes were still closed as she tried to respond.

  “Hand me the remote, hon.”

  With her eyes still half closed, Amarrea searched the nightstand for the remote. Finding it, she handed it to Dam then flopped her head back on the pillow.

  Dam turned on the television then made his way to a local news channel. A news reporter was standing outside Bishop Thomas’ home interviewing First Lady Jade. He said, “I’m sure our viewers would like to know why you turned over this kind of damaging footage of your husband and several other world-renowned pastors?”

  Jade didn’t miss a beat, she quickly answered, “Because I’m so tired of these holier-than-thou preachers telling us one way to live when they live any kind of way they want. Their actions should be judged by God and man.”

  “Well you heard it first here on Channel 9,” The reporter said. “Now I must caution you, if there are children in the room, you will want to change the channel or get them out of the room. The footage we are about to show you is both graphic and disturbing.”

  “Did you already see the footage,” Dam asked Isaac.

  “Man, you are not going to believe this. Jade put cameras in the basement and caught Bishop red-handed. You just need to watch, because I can’t even repeat some of the stuff I saw this morning.”

  “It can’t be that bad,” Dam said, refusing to believe that Bishop could do anything worse than what he’d already done. But all his hopes were dashed as the footage quickly rolled.

  A feast was set up on one of the tables. Ham, Turkey, Mac & cheese. It was like a Thanksgiving meal. Bishop could be seen pouring drinks behind the bar in his basement. The bar was fully stocked with all types of alcohol. Another well-known preacher who was on the speaking circuit and had sold millions of how-to-live-Godly books was behind another table spreading out lines of cocaine. A gospel singer who had been rumored to have AIDs was at the party as well.

  When the preacher finished creating the lines of coke, he held up tiny straws and said, “Come and get it.”

  The men and women at the party snorted and drank and ate to their hearts were content. They laid mattresses on the floor and then they began taking off their clothes.

  “I am not seeing what I am seeing?” Dam said.

  By this time, Amarrea had rolled over and was watching the television with him. “Oh, you’re seeing it alright. I’m just thankful that they have shaded out some of the body parts on those naked, shameful people.”

  “They are straight clowning,” Isaac said.

  Unfortunately, they hadn’t seen the worst of it. Dam could hardly believe that the footage had only been going for a few minutes. The news station had edited the footage in such a way that they were showing clips of all the madness that was going on. Finally reaching its climax as the viewers witnessed these preachers, gospel singers, and so-called armor bearers having sex with each other. Men and women were having sex, women were with women, and the men were with men. It was an abomination on full display.

  Finally, the reporter who was standing in front of Bishop’s house came back into view, and the footage was cut. He said, “Sadly enough, some of the men and women who were attending that party and participating in drug, alcohol use and even the orgy are the same people who preach against these acts each week behind their pulpits. Jade Thomas has done the world a great service by exposing these hypocrites.”

  The camera panned back to the newsroom. And the reporter behind the desk asked, “Isn’t Bishop Thomas one of the preachers hosting this crusade that’s getting millions of viewers and filling up our football stadium?”

  “No! Don’t talk about the crusade,” Amarrea shouted at the television.

  Screaming at the TV didn’t change the situation. The reporters not only discussed the crusade, but they also mentioned Isaac and Dam and wondered aloud if either one of them had been at that party.

  Thankfully, the reporter on the scene stated, “I can confirm that neither Isaac Walker Jr. or Dam Shepherd was at that party.”

  Jade grabbed the microphone from the reporter as she shouted into it. “The Bishop is good at hiding his secrets. Only a select few knew the truth about this man. But now the world knows.”

  ~~~

  “What are we going to do about this? My phone has been ringing off the hook with reporters wanting to interview me about Bishop. And church members calling asking if I would just start my own church so they could leave Call of God,” Dam told Isaac as they met at Isaac’s church later that afternoon.

  “I turned my phone off. I can’t deal with any more distractions before we head to the crusade tonight,” Isaac said.

  “Do you think we should do the crusade tonight. I was thinking that we should maybe cancel it. At least for tonight.”

  Isaac shook his head. “We cannot let Bishop destroy what God is building.”

  “But hasn’t he already destroyed it. I’ve seen the comments all over social media saying that preachers are all alike and that they can’t trust any of us. People are proudly declaring that they live in sin and that they will never hide behind some false God.”

  “All the more reason why we can’t quit. You and I have to show the world that God does exist and that there are real consequences for sin. But more than that... we have to show them that there is a God who wants to forgive them and love on them.”

  “Did you forget that Bishop is supposed to preach tonight?”

  “I wish he would,” Isaac’s fist clenched as if he was spooling for a fight.

  “Then who is going to preach,” Dam asked.

  Isaac pointed at him. “You’re up bro. It’s time for the world to hear what you’ve got to say.”

  “But God hasn’t given me a word yet. I’ve been praying about it, but... nothing.”

  “Then might I suggest you get out of here and go home so you can prepare. Because one of us has to bring the word tonight. And I already preached last night.”

  Dam and Isaac clasped hands. “Alright, let me get out of here. You’re right, Isaac. It’s too late for us to turn back now.”

  “I’ll call Bishop and let him know that he’s done.”

  “Good luck with that,” Dam said as he headed home.

  Amarrea greeted him at the door with Jewel in her arms. Jewel took one look at him and smiled so bright that he had to hold her. “Sweet, sweet Jewel. Please stay just as innocent as you are now. Don’t let this sinful world change you.”

  “Oh, she won’t. Because I’m going to spank that bottom every time she gets out of line.”

  “How could you want to spank a cute little baby, like this?” Dam played with his baby girl. He blew kisses and rubbed noses, then he realized that he wouldn’t be able to stay home if he was going to put a sermon together.

  He handed Jewel back to Amarrea, went into his home office, grabbed his Bible, a notepad and left the house. Dam drove down to the stadium. He took his seat on the grand stage and looked out at the chairs and bleacher seats. There was space for fifty thousand people. The place was full last night, he wondered if anyone would even bother to show up tonight.

  Opening his Bible Dam turned to 2 Timothy, chapter 4. As he began reading his heart was filled with sorrow...

  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

  With everything in him, Dam knew that they were now living in the days when people did not want to hear the truth, but only wanted to hear messages that pleased the flesh. He had never been that kind of preacher and sure wasn’t about to become it tonight. Dam bowed his head to pray. But then he heard a noise that caused him to look toward the field. Someone was walking toward the stage. Dam hoped it was not a reporter looking for another scoop. He didn’t have time for all the drama that surrounded his boss. He stood up and walked over to the podium. Turning the microphone on, Dam spoke into it. “Service doesn’t begin until seven tonight. And we won’t be seating anyone until five.”

  The man kept walking towards him, Dam held the microphone to his mouth again, “Did you hear me. There’s nothing going on here until later tonight.”

  As Dam put the microphone down, the man was now close enough for Dam to see who he was. It was Bishop.

  “Why do you think I’m here, Dam? I know service doesn’t begin yet. I need a place where I can be alone so I can think. I can’t write my sermon in peace with the firestorm my lovely wife created.”

  “Do you really think your wife created your problems? Or was it you and that party you and several other men and women of God participated in?”

  “Jade tricked me. She set those cameras up in our basement and then lured me over there. I never should have married that woman. I knew she was no good when she smiled in my dying wife’s face, all the while putting her hooks in me.”

  Dam had never hated anyone in his life, and as Bishop Thomas stood in front of him, unrepented for the things he had done, Dam tried to remind himself that it was the sin he hated and not the person. “Is this for real, or have you lost your mind?”

  “Is what for real?” Bishop looked as if he didn’t understand what was bothering Dam.

  “Do you really think you’re going to preach tonight?”

  “Why wouldn’t I? I’m on the schedule, and this gives me the perfect opportunity to address those doctored up tapes the fake news media put out on me this morning.”

  “It didn’t look like fake news to me.”

  With frustration etched on his face, Bishop waved his hand in the air as if dismissing Dam. “I don’t have to explain nothing to you. I need to pray and work on my sermon so just leave me alone.”