In four weeks, the hard-working congregation had completely transformed the studio space. Carpenters built a moveable background of stained-glass windows and a raised stage. Mildred Watson delivered custom-made blue choir robes.
“Aren’t these robes beautiful?” Susannah clasped her hands together. “Mildred assembled a team of seamstresses to make these. And wait until you hear the choir sing!”
The choir gathered on the stage for a last run-through as Ray and Susannah looked on. “I understand Ryan directs both our singers and musicians and has written a song for today’s live broadcast,” he said.
The musicians finished tuning up, and Ryan began directing the choir, strains of a familiar melody filling the space.
Yesterday’s past and gone
And tomorrow’s coming into sight
Yes, it gladdens me in song, singing,
Help me make it to the Light.
Yes, it gladdens me in song, singing,
Help me make it to the Light.
“Well done, my friends, well done!” Ray was ecstatic.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it, Reverend,” Ryan said. “I think we’ll be even better live. We’re eager to share our gifts.”
Susannah put her hand on Ray’s forearm. “What did I tell you—God is bringing out the best in us.”
The cable station had a Wednesday evening slot open, and The Road to Calvary was happy to fill it. Ray had hoped for a permanent time slot on Sunday mornings since most people thought about church then, but right now, the costs were prohibitive. When the cable station offered Wednesday evenings, he had taken it. Even if this wasn’t their ideal hour, he trusted The Road to Calvary could use it to their advantage.
Glancing around the studio and seeing the handiwork of the congregation filled Ray with pride. Fresh flowers on stage bloomed in colors complementing the backdrop. Musicians and choir members were finishing Ryan’s song. This was all good, yet he felt vaguely apprehensive. Tonight would be the program’s first foray into technology. If they pulled this off, as Susannah was sure they would, The Road to Calvary would move in an entirely new direction.
A few moments later, Ray studied his audience from the stage. He was trying not to get distracted by thoughts of how the technology would work.
“How many of you are in the pit and want to come out?” The reverend paused as a few tentative hands went up. “How many of you are bogged down in the pit of addiction—drugs, sex, debt—and want to come out?” A few additional hands rose haltingly, and Ray kept talking, his voice growing louder with each question. “How many of you are trapped in the pit of adultery? In the pit of denial? In the pit of dishonesty? In the pit of abuse?” Ray deliberately scanned his audience as more and more hands rose into the air.
Into his earpiece, Buck’s voice crackled, “Okay, Ray, let’s see if this works. The overweight gentleman in the red short-sleeved shirt, sixth row from the front—he’s seated on the end and starting to cry. Name is Jim, and we’re lucky enough to have us a last name, Jameson. We’ve got ourselves a drinking problem.”
Ray sought out Susannah’s face. She smiled and nodded, as if to say, “Go ahead.” Encouraged by her presence, he marched with purpose up the aisle and took a deep breath. “You sir, Mr. Jim Jameson! You are trapped in the pit of alcoholism, but you are desperate to be free!”
Stunned as to how exactly the Reverend Ray knew his name, the quivering mass of a man stood up as Ray motioned for him to rise. Jeff tightly focused the camera on Jim’s tear-streaked face, words stammering out of his mouth. “Yes, sir. My name is Jim Jameson. How did you know? I’ve lost everything—my job, my house, savings. My wife said that if I didn’t come with her today, I’d lose her, too.”
“The Lord works in mysterious ways,” the reverend affirmed, and Jim Jameson began to sob uncontrollably. Susannah slipped up behind Ray and took the microphone so that his hands were unencumbered. “Jim Jameson, you can be free and take back your life, if only you ask Him. Do you want to leave the pit of alcoholism, Jim?”
The pained wailing from Jim grew louder. “Yes! Yes, I want to come out of the pit!”
The Reverend Ray stood before Jim and placed a large hand on each of the man’s heaving shoulders. “Rise, my brothers and sisters,” he commanded. Sensing something amazing was about to happen, the congregation dutifully rose to their feet. “Extend your hands over your brother James, that we may help him be free.”
To Rev. Ray’s amazement, the audience did as they were told, rising with arms outstretched toward the sobbing man.
“Repeat after me, James,” he said, “‘Lord Jesus, I ask you to help me climb out of the pit of alcoholism!’”
“Lord Jesus, I ask you to help me climb out of the pit of alcoholism!” Jim closed his eyes and stretched open arms toward the ceiling.
It had taken a few simple words, but Ray hadn’t felt this influential since he was newly ordained. Susannah was right; he truly believed he was helping this man overcome temptation and create a better life for himself and his family. Ray closed his eyes tightly, his voice rising, shifting into that smooth, southern drawl. “You are leaving the pit, Jim, unlocking the shackles of alcoholism and setting yourself free!”
Jim Jameson’s body convulsed with sobs as he looked heavenward again and proclaimed, “Thank you, Jesus!”
Susannah handed the microphone back to Ray, who gently turned the still teary Jim toward the camera. “James, what you do from this day forward will reflect on your Lord Jesus Christ. He has saved you from the depths of the pit. Find a good AA meeting, get yourself sober, and help others rise up out of the pit of alcoholism.”
The big bear of a man responded with great enthusiasm. “Yes, sir, Reverend! I will turn my life over to Him and help others to be free of alcohol!”
Wild applause emanated from the audience as the pastor walked up the aisle. Ray had never experienced a service such as this, and he called out to the audience, “The pit is vast and deep, but you can be free!”
In his earpiece, he heard Buck’s words. “Well, that went darn well, so let’s try another one. Lady on your right, third row from the front this time. Fourth seat from the end and wearing a print blouse and has gray hair. Thelma wants to mend the rift among family members.”
Immediately, Rev. Ray began scanning the rows for Thelma, without being obvious. When he spotted her, he proclaimed, “Thelma! With the help of Jesus Christ, this family rift can be healed, and your loved ones will rise from the pit of estrangement!”