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what Reverend Knight had just said.

      “For the Kingdom, of course. All for the Kingdom. That’s what this is all about. Raking in souls for the Kingdom. But let’s not play games—it takes money to do anything worthwhile. And I assure you, at The Church of Revelation, all of your needs will be met. And I do mean ALL of your needs, if you catch my drift: spiritually, physically, socially, and financially.” Reverend Knight glanced at his watch. He needed to hurry—the sun would be setting soon.

      Pastor Landris nodded slowly. “All, huh?”

      “Capital ‘A’, double ‘L’—ALL. You’re not going to find a better deal anywhere. I guarantee that. If you do, come back and see me. We’ll renegotiate.”

      Pastor Landris smiled. “Is that right? Well, Doc, I’m afraid you’re a little too late. I’ve already been offered, and accepted, a better deal. You see, I kind of feel like Paul when he wrote Philippians 3:7–8, ‘But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.’ And Philippians 4:19 that says, ‘My God shall supply all my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ ALL my need. God handles each need as it arises. We might not see it, but it’s there. Not out of His riches, but according to His riches. Not even you can top that.”

      Reverend Knight had a smirk on his face, then touched the rim of his hat. “I see you’re truly as well-versed in scripture as people have claimed. That’s good. Real good. I’m sure it will come in handy with the fight you’re about to have on your hands.”

      “Fight?”

      “Yeah,” Reverend Knight said as he took out a handkerchief and mopped a bit of perspiration from his forehead in spite of the wintry January air. “Not that I’m one of them, but there are plenty of folks who don’t want you or your teachings here. Righteous brothers and sisters, clearly under the radar, of course. Now I respect your gifts and I would welcome you with open arms. Then at some point, I would proudly turn over everything I have built up over the years to you. Everything. You see, I don’t have a son to pass my church on to like some of the other preachers.”

      “Excuse me—your church? I didn’t realize any church belonged to anyone other than Jesus. And what’s this about congregations being passed on like an inheritance…some kind of legal birthright?” Pastor Landris said.

      “Come on, Doc. Do you really think for one second these preachers who’ve built these huge congregations plan to let someone from outside the family just come in and take it if they have any say-so about it. Unless it’s under certain umbrellas that keep that from happening, ministers like me have our ways of passing our churches on to our offspring. Or, at least, to a chosen one, especially when we’ve built something from nothing. I can see—there really is much I can teach you. So what do you say? Come on board with me. At least say you’ll think about it?” Reverend Knight pulled off his skintight, black leather glove and extended his right hand to Pastor Landris.

      Pastor Landris looked down at the hand waiting to be grasped. He looked up at Reverend Knight’s hat and appreciated how his own dreadlocks somehow kept him warm enough that his head didn’t need to be covered. He looked into the face of this older minister…a man who could easily have been his own father. Reverend Knight looked tired and worn, yet, he appeared sincere.

      “Reverend Knight, thank you for stopping by, but as I said earlier, I’ve already accepted a better offer. Now if you’ll excuse me,” Pastor Landris said and nodded as he cautiously stepped over a pile of debris, “I need to finish checking out this place before it gets too dark to be able to see.”

      Reverend Knight lowered his hand slowly, then brushed it off on his pants as though it had been badly soiled. “Suit yourself,” he whispered, almost to himself. Then he carefully made his way out the door, just as quietly as he’d made his way in.

      Chapter 4

      Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

      (Philippians 1:6)

      Pastor Landris had submitted an offer on the building he had looked at after taking one day to pray about it. According to the realtor, everything seemed to be a “go” but a few days later, he received a call from her saying the building was no longer available.

      “What happened?” Pastor Landris asked.

      “The owner decided they no longer want to sell or lease it. Quite frankly, Pastor Landris, I don’t understand it myself. They have literally been jumping down our throats about finding a buyer. In fact, they’ve lowered the price more than a few times, hoping to find someone to purchase it. Then I received a call telling me it was no longer available.”

      “Do you think the seller possibly received a better offer?”

      “It’s possible, but if that’s the case, I’m due a commission regardless. He had a contract with us, and if it sold, our office is entitled to something. All I was told was it is no longer on the market.”

      Pastor Landris thought for a second. “Is there any way I could speak with the owner myself?”

      “We were asked not to divulge this information to the public. I’m sorry.”

      “May I ask you one other question? It will only require a yes or no answer.”

      “Sure.”

      “Would the owner happen to be a Reverend Paul Knight?”

      The realtor hesitated for a full fifteen seconds. “Actually, Pastor Landris, the listed owner is a nonprofit organization.”

      “Oh,” Pastor Landris said, disappointed with her answer. “Well, thanks, anyway.”

      “Pastor Landris?”

      “Yes.”

      “Reverend Knight is the person handling the transactions for this organization.”

      Pastor Landris wasn’t sure if he was pleased to hear this or not. “Thank you.”

      “I’ll keep looking if you want me to. I’m sure there’s something out there to meet your specifications. Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of vacant churches, but I’ll keep my eyes open.”

      “I appreciate that.”

      Pastor Landris hung up and stared at the phone. He couldn’t believe what was happening, but he wasn’t going to let this deter him.

      The phone rang just as he was about to go into the kitchen and find something to eat. Johnnie Mae and Princess Rose were out shopping, and Johnnie Mae hadn’t said whether she planned to bring something home for supper. Thinking it was probably the realtor calling back, Pastor Landris didn’t bother to look at the caller ID.

      “Pastor Landris speaking,” he said, cutting to the chase.

      “Hey, man, why so formal today?” It was his brother.

      “Thomas, I thought you were someone else.” Pastor Landris took the cordless phone and walked a few steps away to the window. The Bradford pear tree in the front yard that was so beautiful during spring and fall was completely boring now. He saw his neighbor across the street walking his Alaskan Husky, although it looked more like the dog was walking the neighbor. “What’s up?” Pastor Landris said.

      “I’m fine—thanks for asking,” Thomas said to a question that was not asked.

      Pastor Landris realized his big brother’s meaning, but his mind was still reeling from his conversation with the real estate agent.

      “Sorry, Thomas. My thoughts were somewhere else. No excuse. Please forgive me.”

      “Sure, I forgive you. We’re brothers. And that’s what brothers do.”

      Pastor

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