Chapter 19
Let the Church Say Amen
Ginger read the directions that Latricia had given her to Joseph as he exited off of Interstate 290 and turned left onto Wolf Road. “Latricia said go to the stop sign and make a right and we should see the church straight ahead.”
When Joseph arrived in the church’s parking lot, he parked his car, exited, and came around to the passenger side and opened Ginger’s door. She placed her hand in Joseph’s and stepped out. Chivalry was not dead and Ginger was happy about that.
An usher greeted Joseph and Ginger with a smile as they approached the door of the main sanctuary. “Welcome to Progressive Ministries.”
“Thank you,” Ginger responded. “We’re guests of Latricia Hall’s.”
Joseph and Ginger were escorted to the second row from the front of the church. Latricia sat on the end seat. She saw Ginger and stood to hug her. “You came,” she said excitedly. “I don’t believe it.”
“Why not?” Ginger asked her. “I told you I would be here.” Ginger placed her hand in Joseph’s. “Latricia, this is Joseph, my sunshine.”
Latricia shook his hand. “Hello, sunshine. It’s nice to meet you, and welcome to Progressive.” Latricia stepped out into the aisle and allowed Joseph and Ginger to enter the row. They sat in the two empty seats next to Latricia.
Ginger looked all around the sanctuary. She couldn’t tell that she sat in an old movie theater. The entire building had been gutted, rehabilitated, remodeled, and redecorated. She whispered in Latricia’s ear, “This is absolutely beautiful.”
It was exactly 9:00 p.m. Elder DeAndre Patterson stood in front of the Radio Choir. The music started and Latricia leaned into Ginger and said, “I hope you’re ready to get your praise on.”
Ginger saw that already the saints were on their feet encouraging the choir to go forth and do their thing.
“Sang, choir. Y’all better sang tonight,” the people encouraged them.
“You know, Lord, whether I’m right,” the Radio Choir sang. “You know, Lord, whether I’m wrong. You know, Lord, whether I’m right or wrong. Whether I’m right or wrong.”
Latricia stood and joined the rest of the congregation in song. “While I’m down here praying, Lord search my heart. Search meeeeeee, search me, Lord. Search meeeeeee, search me, Lord.”
The energy inside the church was electric. Both Ginger and Joseph stood and blended in. “Search me, Lord. Search me, Lord. Search me, Lord. You know Lord, whether I’m right or wrong. Whether I’m right or wrong.”
When the song had ended the people sat. The announcing clerk walked to the podium to tell all of the radio listeners about the good news the Lord was doing at Progressive Life-Giving Word Cathedral.
Ginger looked to her left and saw Apostle Donald L. Alford walking up the steps to the pulpit, followed by an entourage of deacons and armor bearers. Apostle Alford knelt to pray before taking his seat.
Ginger leaned into Latricia. “Where is his wife?”
Latricia pointed toward the soprano section in the choir. “She’s the third one from the left on the front row.”
Ginger sought out the first lady and saw blond shoulder-length hair, a petite nose, and small lips. She sat with poise. Without even trying the first lady exuded class.
“She’s beautiful,” Ginger commented.
“That’s Gloria but we call her Lady Glo ’cause she shines.”
After the Radio Choir sang the last song, Apostle Alford took his place behind the podium. “Everybody stand to your feet and let’s begin to worship the Lord.”
The congregation obeyed their leader. The saints stood, raised their hands, and closed their eyes. The musicians played soft praise and worship music as Apostle Alford encouraged the people to open their mouths and talk to God. He sang, “I just want to praise you. I lift my hands and say, ‘I love you.’ You are everything to me and I exalt your holy name on high.”
Ginger opened her eyes. She saw heads thrown back and mouths open crying out to God. A man and woman ran down to the front of the church and threw themselves on the altar.
Apostle Alford spoke to the people from the pulpit. “Take your neighbor by the hand and say, ‘Neighbor, nay in all of these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.’”
The congregation obeyed their leader. Ginger and Joseph held hands and looked at each other. They repeated what Apostle Alford had just said. “Neighbor, nay in all of these things, we are more than conquerors through Him that loves us.”
A choir member ran out of the pulpit, down the aisle, out into the vestibule, shouting out praises. A man standing behind Joseph began jumping up and down thanking God for saving his life.
Don, don, don, don. Ginger heard the drums and organ. Don, don, don, don. The music was a prelude to what was getting ready to happen. Latricia leaned into Ginger and said, “Here we go. It only takes one person to set it off and it becomes a chain reaction.”
Don, don, don, don. The atmosphere was thick. The air was heavy. The saints were ready to praise.
Apostle Alford loosened his tie. “I see y’all ain’t come to play. Come on and take twenty seconds and get your praise on. Go on and give God His due.”
The music and drums took over the service. The sanctuary sounded like a basketball stadium at playoff time. The entire church lost themselves in the Lord.
Suddenly, Ginger reflected back on the two babies she lost at the hands of Ronald. Then she thought about the bruises and broken ribs she suffered. She remembered having to ask him for permission to go to church. Ginger looked to her right and saw Joseph standing next to her, with his eyes closed, speaking to God in the unknown tongue. Tears were running down his face. Not only was Joseph saved; he was anointed and sanctified.
Ginger remembered the five dozen roses he sent to her job. She remembered the time Joseph had come to the school, on his day off, and gotten the keys to her car. He had it detailed, washed, and waxed, then brought it back to her. She remembered Joseph coming into the beauty shop to pay her beautician. She remembered Joseph spending last night, in her bed, next to her without touching her sexually.
Joseph had accepted Ginger’s terms. If he wanted to be with her he needed to understand that she lived a celibate life and was waiting for marriage. Everything that Ronald wasn’t, Joseph was and more. Ginger recalled him marrying her in her driveway. Joseph was a true man of God who adored her and gave her anything she wanted. He encouraged her, prayed with her, and not only supported her going to church but he escorted her there. Joseph was a man after God’s own heart and, for that, Ginger was truly thankful.
Amid the drums, the music, the electricity that ran through her body, and the tall and handsome blessing who stood next to her, Ginger couldn’t keep still. Her blood ran warm through her veins. She opened her mouth and let out a loud, “Thank yaaaa.” Ginger started jumping and turning around. “Thank ya, Jesus. Thank yaaaa.”
Joseph saw tears of joy running down Ginger’s face. Latricia stepped into the aisle to give Ginger room.
Apostle Alford came out of the pulpit, followed by his armor bearers, and stood in front of Ginger. He whispered in Latricia’s ear and asked if Ginger and Joseph were together. Latricia nodded her head.
Apostle Alford gently grabbed Ginger’s hand and pulled her toward him, then motioned for Joseph to stand next to her in the aisle. The armor bearers stood behind them as Apostle Alford laid holy hands on Joseph and Ginger’s foreheads. He closed his eyes and blessed them both. Seconds later Joseph and Ginger were lying on the floor.
They were slain in the spirit of God.