Wednesday night
settled down on Nancy** and the teen boys like wet cement on a rough road.
They were all exhausted, man woman child, pure worn out. Brother Leo Berry, all grey and stooped, stepped up to the platform.
“THOSE…and his pointed a gnarly finger to the back rows…youngsters are the next generation of YOUR CHURCH! They are lost!"
He wiped his face with a wrinkled kerchief, coughed raggedly, and continued.
“WELL! Not one single soul---NOT ONE---has sought forgiveness at
God’s holy altar!"
Taking one big oratory breath, he boomed:
"This revival cannot end without salvation. I will keep preaching the truth
until souls are saved, even into next week!”
Well, universal gasps
were turned into gulps.
The congregation
could not afford another week, the church sisters were tired of cooking, and the
Pastor’s kids were numb from sleeping on the floor of the pastorate.
The boys murmured to
each other, looking from one to another.
They were the souls he talked about it, and they knew it. Absolutely knew it, and hung their heads.
The oldest white-haired
lady in the church, nearly blind and almost deaf Sister Fast rose to her feet
and hobbled to the altar. “I must be one
of those souls! I didn't hear much of what you preached, but I sure don’t want any sin in me.”
Ushers hurried to place a chair beneath her
before she toppled. Shocked, Harris and Berry locked eyes. What do we do now? A few beloved old ladies joined in prayer with Sister Fast.
Nancy's jaw dropped. Sister Fast? Nooo, that is just not right...if she is at the altar, then....She drew her own conclusion and bowed her head.
Some deacons gathered
in the back, whispering and shaking their heads.
Wednesday was the
last night of Revival.
...with a box of leftover food, $40 in his pocket, and miles down the road, Leo Berry pulled off the highway.
Opening the trunk, he pulled out a pillow and ratty quilt. He stretched out in the back seat, wondering how Martha and his kids were this week.
Martha, this has been an awful week. How I miss you... Before his eyes closed, Leo prayed. Oh, Lord God! Those boys need You, need You badly. Keep 'em safe. Save them, Lord.
This is the purpose and goal for an evangelist. He never knows what happens after he leaves. He only knows that he obeyed his calling to preach God's Word.