El Shaddai Ministries
Rev. T.G. Henderson’s casket was white marble with gold handles for his six pallbearers to clutch in their glove-covered hands. Tendrils of white lilies draped the altar – the same altar Rev. T.G. Henderson had preached from for forty-seven years. The choir was arrayed in their robes, belting out Rev. Henderson’s favorite hymns, which spoke about receiving an eternal reward. Indeed, the atmosphere was enriched with a graceful quietness that epitomized the life that Rev. Henderson had lived – a man of great honor who’d remained steadfast, even at the very end.
Even though Rev. Henderson would have preferred his son, Drake to eulogize his funeral service, somehow, Elder John managed to convince the board that Drake was not fit to handle such a distinguished setting. Dignitaries from all over the ecclesiastical arena would be in attendance and Drake would probably embarrass them – just as he’d done six months ago when Rev. Henderson had called him to give a simple five-minute exaltation.
The church hadn’t heard from Drake in all that time. How could they even be sure that Drake was still walking with the Lord? As far as Elder John was concerned, Drake had backslidden and was too ashamed to let anyone know about it. With such conviction set into the hearts of the board, Elder John was now at liberty to infiltrate his way into the bishopric. He even sat in Rev. Henderson’s chair and acted as if he’d already been installed as the new leader of El Shaddai Ministries.
Rev. Henderson’s one daughter lived on the other side of the world in Paris. She had a very successful career in the entertainment industry. Elder John seriously doubted that Rev. Henderson’s daughter would be interested in taking over a church in the rural everglades of Devin’s Cay. So really, he was the better candidate anyway. Who else was worthy to fulfil the shoes of Rev. Henderson? However, that smugness was swiped off Elder John’s face when he saw Drake making his way into the sanctuary, who was being closely followed by Kevin Beckford, one of Drake’s brothers and Rena Henderson – the daughter of Rev. Henderson. The usher led the three to the front and sat them in the family and friends section.
But as Elder John mounted the pulpit to continue on with the service, he shook off whatever feeling of intimidation Drake and Rena had brought in with them. There was no way he would allow anyone to move him from the helm of power. While Elder John was busy boiling over with anger, Drake was busy looking around for Sasha. He didn’t see her anywhere in the building, which was a surprise, considering how much Sasha revered Rev. Henderson. But Drake also knew that it meant Sasha was trying to avoid him too. Soon Drake’s subtle gazes were beginning to fill with tears. Rev. Henderson was now gone and it appeared as if Sasha was gone too. He’d lost two of the most important people in his life and he felt most of the blame.
Kevin nudged him on the shoulder. “You okay, man?”
“No...” Drake told his brother. “I am not okay. I don’t know how much longer I can stand being in this church.”
Kevin reached around and gave Drake’s shoulder a manly squeeze. “It’s gonna be alright, kiddo. It feels hopeless now, but you will survive. Trust me.”
Drake appreciated his brother trying to console him, but it was not going to bring Rev. Henderson back, or Sasha for that matter. He caught his falling tears on the back of his hand, turning his attention back to Elder John. A woman was leaning near Elder John’s ear, saying something to him. And whatever it was, Drake could tell that Elder John didn’t approve. His face contorted like he’d tasted something nasty.
“This is a solemn time for Rev. Henderson’s family and friends,” Elder John said into the mic. “And I realize that many would like to express words of condolence or of solace, but for the sake of time, I encourage you to be considerate. Two minutes I believe is quite adequate for you to say what you need to say, with the exception of Rev. Henderson’s daughter, of course. She is at liberty to do as she feels.”
Elder John paused to scan the section where Drake was sitting. He tried to keep the distaste out of his tone, but it was extremely difficult. He would have ignored Drake for the entire service had the mother of the church not sent him that upsetting message to include Drake on the program. But of course, Elder John didn’t want to turn the congregation against him. Most of them were anticipating Drake would say a few words about the man who’d given Drake a full scholarship to study at Valor Christian College. However, this really wasn’t sitting well with Elder John.
“At this time,” he said, “I will call Minister Drake Beckford to greet the congregation and say a few words about Rev. Henderson. And in this order, Minister Beckford will be followed by Pastor Wendy, Bishop Gordon, Rev. White and then Rena Henderson.”
Drake was half-expecting the announcement, but what he didn’t get was why Elder John was so disgruntled. It was obvious that he was now the new overseer of El Shaddai Ministries – a position that Drake didn’t really want anyway. The old guy should be thankful, showing a little more gratitude. Putting those thoughts aside for the moment, Drake took the mic from Elder John, but not without noticing the grimace on Elder John’s face, which seemed to say, ‘You had better not mess this up.’
“Paul said to his protégé in 2 Timothy 4, beginning at verse 7,” Drake began in a surprisingly even tone, “‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.’ Those words were spoken centuries ago, but what fitting words to be spoken over the life of Rev. Terrance Gerald Henderson…As most of you know, Rev. Henderson was like a father to me. In fact, he was more than a father to me…he was my daddy, my friend, my confidant, my mentor…”
Drake paused to get his bearings, because at that point the strength of his voice failed him. “Rev. Henderson was a man worthy of double honor. If I produced only a fraction of what he’d drilled into me, I would be well on my way to following his godly example. While I have this opportunity, I must use it to apologize to you – the wonderful members of El Shaddai Ministries, for the way I’ve handled my personal issues. It has only resulted in disappointing you and caused a temporal desertion of my vocation. Rev. Henderson had a lot of confidence in me and even now as I stand here, I don’t know if I have what it takes to ever walk in my father’s shoes…”
Drake paused again, as he choked back his tears. It had become increasingly difficult to continue his speech. But the more he cried, the more affection he received from the congregation, so much so that they jumped to their feet and began to cheer. Drake needed not to say another word. The congregation understood. Elder John was on his feet as well, but he did not rise to join in with the cheers for this wayward young minister. He rose to take the mic from Drake and escort him off the pulpit.
When the cheering did not die down, Elder John spoke into the mic and reminded them that they had a long program to execute. The noise gradually simmered down, but Elder John could already see that he would have a serious problem if Drake stayed in Devin’s Cay.