Pastor Needs a Boo (51 page)

Denzelle looked at the check and said, “Todd, I don't mean to be rude, but honestly, dawg, how much money do you make a month?”

“That's about twenty percent of $708,000,” Todd told him calmly. “I'm joining your church, Reverend Flowers. I'm turning my life over to Christ. And I'm starting off right with my first tithe check to my new church home.”

Reverend Cousin's eyes went upwards and he looked at his wife, as if to say, “Did you just witness that?” Mrs. Cousin just nodded. She was too stunned to say anything.

“Denzelle, use this money to help members who really need help. I don't care how much you give them, as long as you help with whatever they need.”

Todd then put a check for $60,000 in Reverend Cousin's hand. He said, “I know all about your benevolence ministry at the churches you pastor. Never hesitate to call me when you need more, or if somebody at your church is in great need.”

Reverend Cousin thanked him and went and gave the check to Mrs. Cousin, who was now in tears all over again.

“This last check is for Reverend Sharon Simmons-Harris's campaign. Reverend Quincey, take it and put it to good use. You'll get one of these from me each and every month.”

Obadiah opened the check and whispered, “Thank you, Todd,” through tears. It was a check for $75,000, and exactly what they needed to get everything up and running for Sharon's campaign.

Todd started walking back to his seat. His heart was so full of joy he thought he wouldn't be able to contain it. Todd Townsend, who this morning was sharp in a black, three-piece suit with gray chalk stripes in it, suddenly started running all around the church shouting and praising God to the soothing song The Inspirational Singers had started singing again.

Denzelle and his fellow preachers were still at the foot of the altar. He turned around and got down on his knees. Obadiah dropped down on his knees. Reverend Cousin dropped on his knees. Marsha, Lena, and Angela joined their husbands at the altar. They were joined by the pulpit guests. And after that, the whole church went down on their knees to join in for a moment of silent prayer in the middle of the choir's singing.

The pastors were so blessed. Their hearts were rejuvenated. They were encouraged. There was nothing like a pastor's heart, especially when it was healed. They looked up and knew this race for bishop was not for the swift but for those that were willing to endure it to the end.

 

About the Author

MICHELE ANDREA BOWEN grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. She has lived in Durham, North Carolina, for several decades, and it is her second home. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, and earned graduate degrees in United States History and Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She teaches ninth-grade history at Hillside New Tech High School in Durham.

 

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

 

PASTOR NEEDS A BOO.
Copyright © 2014 by Michele Andrea Bowen. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

 

www.stmartins.com

 

Cover design by Ervin Serrano; cover photograph by Ryan McVay/Getty Images

 

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The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:

 

Bowen, Michele Andrea.

    Pastor needs a Boo / Michele Andrea Bowen.—First Edition.

            p. cm.

    ISBN 978-0-312-64337-9 (trade paperback)

    ISBN 978-1-4668-5083-5 (e-book)

  1.  African American women—Fiction.   2.  African American clergy—Counseling of—Fiction.   3.  Single mothers—Fiction.   4.  African American clergy—Appointment, call, and election—Fiction.   5.  Church membership—Fiction.   I.  Title.

    PS3552.O8645P37 2014

    813'.54—dc23

2014000138

 

e-ISBN 9781466850835

 

First Edition: July 2014