CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Saturday, February 13

The hospital had become the campout spot. Janelle and Stephanie had been there since morning with the kids, and Becca was just now arriving with hers. Janelle got up to greet her.

“How’s Grandma Geri doing?” Becca asked.

“About the same. Aunt Gladys is in there with her now.”

“Mom,” Daniel said, “can we please go hang out with Kory? Doesn’t he live near here? There’s nothing to do in the waiting room.”

“Yeah, we could go see Dee,” Tiffany said. “Mommy, will you call them? I want Dee to sleep over with me and Claire tonight.”

“You guys, I told you we’re not doing that anymore. You just have to accept it.” Janelle gave Becca an exasperated look.

Becca set Ethan down, keeping an eye on him. She nodded toward Todd and Travis on a sofa in the waiting room. “Looks like they’re in deep conversation over there. About the meeting tonight?”

“Yeah, we were all talking about it. I guess there’s never been one like this with both Calvary and New Jerusalem members. It’s pretty historic.”

“Todd’s not so sure it’ll go well.”

“Travis either. And if it doesn’t, I’ll bear the brunt of the blame, I’m sure.”

“Don’t say that—Ethan, come here, sweetie.”

Stephanie went after him. “I’ll watch him,” she said. She gathered all the kids around her.

Becca continued. “There were a lot of factors that went into this meeting. The whole revelation about Jim and Gwynn played a big part, and the Bible study at the diner. You were just the one who had the lightbulb moment that put it all together.”

“Speaking of lightbulb moments,” Janelle said, “I’m still thinking of the one you had about humility. How are you feeling about everything now?”

Becca’s pause was thoughtful. “Honestly, it’s still hard, still disappointing, still a little embarrassing. Still hard not to focus on me.” She gave a wry smile. “I need a lot of work in the ‘emptying of self’ department. Have to keep telling myself it’s His ministry, not mine. God should be able to do what He wants with it, right? He might know a little about how it’ll fit with everything else He’s got going on earth.” She laughed lightly at herself.

“Are you praying about what’s next?”

“I’m praying about what’s now.” She pointed at Claire and Ethan. “I don’t even want to think about ‘next.’ And I definitely don’t want to chase after anything, even if it’s only in prayer. I want to learn how to chase after God.”

“Amen, Becca. I need to learn that too.”

Todd and Travis came over to the women.

“We need some feedback on how we’re thinking about approaching this tonight,” Todd said.

“In other words,” Travis added, “we want to know whether we’ll get thrown out of town.”

Janelle and Stephanie arrived late at New Jerusalem, twenty minutes after the meeting had started. They had waited together with Aunt Gladys to talk to the doctor about Grandma Geri, and it had taken longer than expected. They hightailed it over to the church as soon as they got back to Hope Springs.

The church was absolutely packed, with some standing in the back and to the sides of the pews. Travis and Todd had designated New Jerusalem as the location because it provided more seating than Calvary, but she didn’t think they expected it to be this full. The scene struck her the same as at Pastor Jim’s funeral. Something beautiful about seeing both congregations together.

Janelle looked around, half wondering if Kory might be there. After all, he’d joined New Jerusalem and had been very much interested in the preliminary discussion about this. But she doubted he would bring Shelley here. They’d probably find a church together in Rocky Mount.

“The bottom line is this,” Todd was saying. “As people of God, we have to be willing to examine ourselves. Romans 12:2 tells us not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Only then can we do God’s good and perfect will.” He looked out at the sea of black faces and white faces. “In this world—in this country—we are separated by skin color, and we understand the ugly history that fueled it. But we are citizens of a different kingdom. We belong to Christ. And in Christ’s kingdom we don’t regard one another according to the flesh. We are one.”

Janelle didn’t think she’d ever seen the church this quiet. Not a single amen answered Todd’s words.

“And so,” Todd said, “we wanted to set a biblical foundation at the outset, with the hope that the balance of the meeting will proceed within that framework. Pastor Travis will share what we are proposing.”

Travis came to the podium without notes. Taking his time, he regarded every section of the sanctuary, moving his gaze along slowly. Interesting the effect it had. Some seemed to squirm a little, uncomfortable with the pause.

“I grew up in Hope Springs, as many of you did,” he began, “and I had no concept of the term ‘the body of Christ.’ I had no concept of what it meant to be one in Christ. I had a better understanding of race and division than reconciliation and unity, and my understanding of race and division came mostly from the churches. I wonder if God is pleased with that.” He inserted another pregnant pause. “Here in Hope Springs recently we’ve seen a change. And sad to say, it didn’t start in the churches. It started in the Main Street Diner with Janelle Evans and Sara Ann Matthews, and it has flourished with members of both Calvary and New Jerusalem.”

Janelle glanced across the aisle where she’d spotted Beverly and Allison earlier.

Soul Sisters, Beverly mouthed and smiled.

“Pastor Todd and I have been greatly encouraged and motivated by the example of these women. They’ve shown us not only what’s possible here in Hope Springs but what’s preferable. And I commend them.” Travis nodded to Sara Ann, who sat near the front. “With that backdrop we are proposing the following—that members of Calvary and New Jerusalem come together for a joint service the first Sunday of each month. We believe this will foster oneness in the community and in our hearts. We believe it will promote fellowship and love within the body, and as the world sees our love, God will be glorified. Details such as location will be worked out. For tonight we want to open up discussion on the proposal.”

Todd rejoined Travis at the podium.

“We’re asking you to stand when it’s your turn and state your comment or question as loudly as you can,” Travis said.

Todd pointed near the back. “Pervis Mitchell.”

Pervis, a Calvary member probably in his sixties, stood. “I want to know who would preach on that Sunday.”

His voice barely projected. Janelle only heard him because she stood near him.

Someone repeated it to Travis and Todd, and Todd repeated it for the crowd. “We thought a simple way to do it was to alternate,” Todd said.

A middle-aged woman in the middle stood before she was acknowledged.

“Go ahead, Delores,” Todd said.

“My question is about the music. Which choir would sing? And whose band would play? New Jerusalem’s music hurts my ears.”

“Well, funny you say that.” A New Jerusalem woman stood. “I was about to ask the same questions, because I find Calvary’s music on the boring side.”

Chatter started up within the pews. Todd and Travis looked at one another.

“Listen,” Travis said into the mic. “We knew people would have these questions, and we appreciate them. But concerns about music shouldn’t override the biblical goal of unity. Amen?” He paused but got no response. “Pastor Todd and I would love to see the formation of a combined choir for the joint service. It would actually be a great thing to gain a better appreciation of each other’s cultural styles and tastes.”

Two elders—one from Calvary and the other from New Jerusalem—stood together. The Calvary elder spoke first. “I was just sitting here talking with Larry, and we feel the same way. You were each brought to pastor your individual church, not to go radical and attempt to merge the two churches. We understand that you two are personal friends, but this is beyond the pale. And it should’ve been brought to the elder boards first.”

Todd spoke. “Willard, let me make clear that we are not proposing a merging of the churches. Calvary will remain Calvary; New Jerusalem will remain New Jerusalem. Travis and I remain pastors of our individual churches. We are simply talking about coming together as members of one body to celebrate Christ on the first Sunday of each month.”

Todd seemed to be finished but then added, “When you brought me on, you told me you were trusting God to do great things through me. I’m sure New Jerusalem felt the same regarding Travis. We believe this is one of those great things. We worship within two blocks of one another, and most of us hardly know each other between the churches. Do you not see a benefit to this from God’s perspective?”

Neither elder responded but they sat back down.

Randy, a New Jerusalem member, stood. “No offense, Pastor Travis,” he said, “but I probably wouldn’t come on the Sundays Pastor Todd is preaching. Just being real. I joined New Jerusalem because I like to hear you preach.”

Chatter erupted again as members of both congregations echoed the likelihood that they too wouldn’t come if the other pastor were preaching.

Sara Ann stood amid the chatter.

Todd raised his hands. “We want to hear everyone, but one at a time, please. Sara Ann, go on.”

“I wasn’t going to say anything, since I can’t make Sunday service anyway because of the diner.” She spoke loudly and clearly. “But this is actually breaking my heart.” She looked into the faces of those assembled. “You all wouldn’t come if the other pastor is preaching? I thought the word was from the Lord, and Todd and Travis were simply the vessels. You’re worried about music? Is the music for you or for the Lord?” She turned to the elders. “You’re concerned about your individual churches? Whose church is it? Yours or the Lord’s?

“I didn’t want to do the diner Bible study. I didn’t think I could do it. But I found out it wasn’t about me. None of this is about us.” She glanced up at Todd and Travis. “I don’t know what will happen with this joint service idea. I pray it goes forward, because I’ve seen the blessing of unity and fellowship with my Soul Sisters. And I pray both churches get to experience it.”

She sat down, but others popped up. Gina, Bea, Violet, Trina . . . one by one, the Soul Sisters stood. Janelle, Stephanie, Beverly, and Allison moved forward up the center aisle, and they all made their way to the front. Becca, who’d been sitting up front, joined them, and they summoned Sara Ann forward as well. The women hugged one another as a group, and then Beverly turned to the pastors.

“I don’t care if nobody else shows up for the joint service, I think I can speak for the Soul Sisters in saying we’ll be there.”

“Yeah!” The group pumped their fists.

Janelle had tears in her eyes, thankful for the way God had moved Sara Ann.

People in the pews began to stand now, one here, one there, showing their support for the joint service. A little less than half had come to their feet in the end.

Janelle could tell Todd and Travis were greatly moved. Neither had words. So Trina began singing a song the Calvary choir was known for.

Voices joined in and before long the sound of beautiful worship filled the sanctuary.

“How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God . . .”