Читать книгу A Million Blessings - Angela Benson - Страница 17

Andrew called a short meeting with his leadership team in the conference room after the social hour in the fellowship hall ended. “Numbers?” he asked.

“One hundred and two people came down for the first altar call,” Jacob Wilson said. “Those will be getting mortgage or rental assistance for the six months you promised. I estimate that will cost a little over half a million dollars.”

“That much?” Rob Moore asked.

“It’s money well spent,” Andrew said, brushing aside the comment. “What about membership?”

“Three hundred and thirteen people joined, including eighty-two of those who got housing assistance. That brings our total membership to four hundred and twenty-five. That’s not bad at all.”

Andrew nodded. “No, that’s very good. As I stood in the pulpit today, I saw the church filled to capacity. I believe our membership will grow to three thousand in the next six months.”

Jacob Wilson whistled. “That would be some growth.”

“I believe it,” Andrew said, “and I need you all to believe with me. God is doing something here and He’s using us to do it.” He looked around the conference table, meeting the eyes of each member of his team. “Are you all onboard with me?” He waited while each of them nodded. “Good,” he said. “There are big things ahead for all of us. I’ve got three newspaper interviews lined up next week, and the local CBS affiliate wants to do an on-air interview for their morning show. You can’t buy that kind of publicity.”

“That’s wonderful, Andrew,” Sandra said. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”

“I wanted to surprise you. And there’s more to the surprise. They want to interview both of us.”

“Both of us?” she exclaimed.

“Of course,” he said. “What’s a pastor without his First Lady?”

“You’ve got that right,” Jackie Thomas said.

Andrew looked back at the group. “For now, Sandra and I will be the face of the church, but I don’t want any of you to think that means your contribution is less valuable. It doesn’t. We all have different roles to play and it takes all of us doing our part to make this work. Agreed?” Again, he waited for everybody’s nod. “Then that’s it for today. Thanks for all your hard work. I’ll see you all on Tuesday.”

Andrew and Sandra stayed in the conference room while the others filed out. “We’ve had some day, Pastor Gooden.”

“Yes, we have, First Lady Gooden. And this is only the beginning. The sky is the limit for us and for this ministry. God has opened the windows of heaven so He can rain down blessings on us. He started with the lottery and He has no plans to close it.”

“Excuse us.”

They both turned at the sound of Sandra’s father’s voice. He and her mother stood in the entrance to the conference room. “Come on in, Dad, Mom,” Andrew said. “Have a seat and join us. We’re just winding down.”

“Where are the kids?” Sandra asked after her parents had seated themselves at the conference table.

“They’re with the Salley kids. Pastor Salley had some last-minute something to do in his office. Mrs. Salley is watching them.”

Sandra nodded. “Thanks, Mom.”

Her father cleared his throat. “I want you both to know how proud I am of you and what you’re doing here in this church. It was something to see you help those people with their mortgages and rent. So many churches want to pray and do nothing else. I’m glad Showers of Blessings is different.”

Sandra shot a quick glance at her mother, but the older woman’s face told her nothing.

“Your blessing means a lot, Dad,” Andrew said. “It always has.”

“It’s no secret that I didn’t approve of you in the beginning, Andrew,” he said. “I thought I saw too much of myself in you, too much recklessness. I’m happy to say I was wrong. You’ve been a good husband to my girl and a good father to my grandchildren. And now you’re going to be a great pastor to the congregation God gives you.”

Andrew reached for Sandra’s hand and squeezed it. “I couldn’t do it without your daughter by my side. I’m a better man with her. I’ve always known that.”

Grady winked. “We’re both lucky when it comes to wives,” he said, smiling at his wife. “I got myself a winner, too.”

Sandra’s mother waved off the compliment.

“It’s true,” Grady said to Ida. “I just wish I had been as good a husband to you as the boy here has been to our girl. I’m sorry for the years I wasted.”

Ida blinked back tears. “A marriage is for better or worse,” she said. “We’ve had our share of worse but we’ve had more than our share of better. I’m happy with the deal.”

“So am I,” Grady said.

“We should celebrate,” Sandra said.

“Celebrate what?” Ida asked.

“Our happy marriages. We don’t ever want to take them for granted.”

“Sounds like a good idea to me,” Andrew said, standing. “Why don’t we go out for dinner? Those refreshments didn’t do the job for me.”

“Me either,” Grady said, standing as well.

“I could eat a little something,” Ida said. “And those kids are probably hungry from all that running around.”

“They aren’t the only ones,” Sandra said. “Let’s get them so we can head out.”

“I’ll round up the kids,” Sandra’s father said.

“I need to stop by my office for a quick minute,” Andrew said. “I’ll meet you all at the entrance.”

With that, Andrew left for his office and Sandra’s dad headed off in search of his grandkids. Sandra was left with her mother.

“Dad said he was proud of us, Mom,” she said, “but you haven’t said anything.”

“I’ve said what I need to say, Sandra. Nothing has changed.”

“But can’t you see what we’re doing here?”

Her mother shook her head. “What I see is a church built on a rocky foundation. I just hope you don’t face a strong wind.”