Lady Preacher, page 27
“I believe God is calling me to full-time ministry. I can’t do both.”
“I know this is a big decision. I’ve had to make the same decision myself. You have to do what God is telling you.”
“You don’t understand, Tay. I’m leaving Earle Street.”
“Leaving? Where are you going? I thought everything was fine there.”
“It is. I feel God is moving me to leave Charlotte and start a church in another state.”
“What?”
“Tay, I’m leaving Charlotte. At the end of the school year, I’m leaving and moving to South Carolina to start a church there.”
“You’re leaving? You’re moving to South Carolina? You’re taking the boys? Oh, no. Not now. Max, you’re leaving?” She sat down on the sand, put her head in her hands, and wept loudly.
Max sat next to her. He, too, was crying. “Tay, I have to go. God has given me a vision for this ministry. I took a trip there. I talked to a pastor I met at the conference last year, Jarrod Fuller. He pastors a church in South Carolina. He introduced me to a lot of other ministers in the area. I walked the community. I talked with community leaders. I’ve prayed and prayed. I know this is what God wants me to do. I have to go.”
She looked up and wiped her nose again on the sleeve of her sweatshirt. “I know you have to go. You have to be obedient to what God is telling you.” She couldn’t stop the tears.
Max put his arm around her and pulled her close. She rested her head on his shoulder, and they sat silently on the beach watching the moon and the waves and listening to the sound of the ocean.
Chapter 28
Shante sat in her office daydreaming about the conference at Hilton Head. It was so different than last year. She enjoyed this conference more than any of the previous ones. She was thankful she did not preach. It gave her and Max an opportunity to reconnect.
Max revealed his vision for his ministry in South Carolina. He wanted to work with fathers who are single parents and their children. To Shante’s delight he was only moving to Columbia, an hour’s drive from Charlotte. He promised her they would go there together before he moved.
She thought about Max wanting to make up for the missed First Fridays. During the week they were at the conference, they slipped away and traveled to Charleston for a day. They toured the plantations and slave cabins. They purchased handmade baskets and toured museums. Max surprised her with a romantic dinner cruise where they again pronounced their love for each other. For the past four weeks since the conference, they celebrated First Friday every Monday—their day off.
More importantly, they attended the conference together. Once they returned from Charleston, they did not care who saw them holding each other closely or whether anyone was looking at them holding hands.
They attended the meetings and evening worship services together. They enjoyed each other’s company as if no other people were in attendance.
When they returned to Charlotte, Shante and Max had to field inquiries about their relationship. Neither denied anything—that was true. Shante realized other people knowing about her relationship actually made it better. Gone was the stress of sneaking around and hiding. Gone was the fear of getting caught. They could relax and enjoy each other. They openly flirted and kissed.
The boys seemed happier. Although they did not want to move, they enjoyed hanging out with Shante and Max. Each week, Max or Shante planned a day for the five of them to share. And to make up for the missed First Fridays, Max planned something special each week just for Shante and him. Shante smiled as she thought about their time together.
“Pastor.” Kendra, her new secretary, came into her office. Noticing the smile on Shante’s face she said, “Wow, you look happy.”
“I am.” Nothing could ruin her day. Her ministry was growing and she had received more invitations to preach than this time last year. Her calendar was filling up quickly. She had finally found peace in her ministry. Tonight Max was cooking dinner and she anxiously anticipated being with him and the boys.
“Well, I hope it lasts after I tell you this.”
“What is it?”
“Pastor Griffin called and she will not be able to do the spring revival. She said she has a family emergency.
Where can we find a minister at such short notice? It’s Thursday. The revival starts Sunday. That’s only three days away.”
Shante thought nothing could ruin her day. She called Pastor Griffin, who confirmed Kendra’s report. As she began to go through her files to find another minister, her phone rang. It was Max.
“Hey, baby. I was thinking about you,” Max said. “Hi,” Shante said, leaning back in her chair. “I hope you are praying for me.”
“Always. Can you come over earlier—before the boys get out of school?”
“That’s tempting, but I can’t. Pastor Griffin just canceled on us. I’ve got to find someone else to preach our revival. So it looks like I’m going to be here unless I can find someone quick.”
“Two heads are better than one.”
“Come on, Max. I’ve got to work.”
“Okay. I’ll look through my Rolodex and see if someone comes to mind and let you know. I love you.”
“I love you back,” Shante said, hanging up the phone. Where could she find someone on such short notice? The announcement had already been made. It was too late to cancel the revival. They may have to. Shante continued to hope as she flipped through her files.
* * *
The sanctuary was filled for the first night of the revival. Shante had told her parishioners in the two morning worship services about the new speaker for the revival. It seemed people showed up to see what would happen. The pastor she found was well known and liked in the Charlotte area.
From her seat in the pulpit, she could see Bishop and Mother Thompson, along with Gwen and Ron, sitting on the right front row. Jonathan, Jacob, and Joshua were seated between Bishop and Mother. She wished Camille could have been there, but she was studying for her senior exams and Shante felt it was more important for her to stay in Atlanta. There would be other events at the church she could attend. Camille was grown now and after graduation, she was moving to New York. She had accepted a position with Bad Boy Entertainment.
As she stood at the podium to introduce the speaker, she saw familiar faces and some new ones too. She felt good. Her spirit was high. She had wanted this minister to preach at her church for a long time, but was always afraid to ask. She was thankful he was able to preach on short notice.
“How are you, New Pilgrim?” she shouted. “Bless the Lord. I am peacock proud and honeymoon happy to have such a great speaker tonight. God rearranged his schedule to be here with us.” She continued the glowing introduction of him by listing his accomplishments and introducing members of his church that were in attendance.
“His sons are worshipping with us tonight. Stand up Jonathan, Jacob, and Joshua.”
The audience applauded as they stood. Then, laughed when Joshua took a bow—always the entertainer.
Trying to hold back her laugh, Shante continued, “I have known this man of God for many years. We were in college together—he was at Morehouse, while I was at Spelman. We quickly became and have remained friends to this day. I know he is a man of integrity and great wisdom. We are in for a treat this week.” She turned to face Max sitting in the large chair behind her. “Matter of fact, Pastor Patrick, why don’t you stand and let everybody see you.”
Max obliged. The congregation applauded. “Turn around. Let them see you.” Max looked at her as if to see if she was serious. She motioned for him to turn around and he did. “Lord have mercy,” Shante said, jokingly. “Tall, dark, and handsome. If I wasn’t saved . . .” She couldn’t help herself. She laughed harder. Max sat in the chair, laughing at Shante’s antics. The congregation found the scene entertaining also. “Wait a minute. Wait a minute,” she told the laughing crowd. “He’s not married—yet.”
“Not yet,” Max said.
Shante looked at him and smiled. This was her opportunity to say what she had wanted to say for years. She continued addressing the crowd. “Now just because he’s single, doesn’t mean he’s available.” She paused, and then said, “Him mine. Oh yes, him mine.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
K. T. Richey is a minister who resides in South Carolina. After earning degrees in social studies and counseling, she went on to practice social work for almost twenty years. Lady Preacher is the first in a series of novels that will explore the lives of women in ministry and their efforts to find balance in life, love and the church.
K.T. Richey, Lady Preacher
