Jesus Freaks: Sins of the Father

“Thanks, everyone,” Maggie says after the rest of the group has spoken. “Now, tomorrow is our first service that everyone is required to attend. Well, you’re required to attend church every Sunday,” she corrects herself, “but tomorrow is the first one, and you must attend at University Chapel.”

Students are given the option of attending Sunday services at either the University Chapel—UC, the reverse of CU—or another local fundamental church. There seem to be plenty to choose from in a 30-mile radius. I haven’t decided where I’m going to attend, though I assume it will be a mix depending on how my relationship with Roland goes. But I’m grateful that tomorrow’s service will be at the UC so I’m not forced to choose between my birth father and someone else.

“Who’s the welcome speaker? I didn’t see one on the website,” Bridgette asks as we all stand and side conversations spring up around us.

Maggie’s ever-present grin widens. “Pastor Roland Abbot from New Life Church.”

Dizzy.

“Really?” Eden cheers. “That’s awesome! I thought I’d have to wait until next Sunday to hear him speak when I went to New Life.”

Me, too.

Thankfully, talk of Roland doesn’t throw me that far off balance. I trained myself in prayer, writing, and meditation to do almost anything besides flinch or falter at his name. I swallow hard before I speak.

“Yeah,” I pretend to agree with Eden. “I thought he was on some mission trip? South America?”

“Africa,” Maggie corrects. I knew that, but have carefully chosen the things about Pastor Abbot that I’ll actually know. “He returned yesterday in time for tomorrow’s service. This is a break from tradition for CU, as you all know. Usually an esteemed faculty is tapped to give the welcome to students. That’s why it’s been kept quiet, to keep the surprise. We were given permission from the university to share the exciting news with you all.” Her impossibly wide smile highlights her excitement and is mirrored throughout the room.

As everyone scatters back to their rooms or wherever they’re allowed to go before curfew, I listen to the chatter. Of course the news is exciting. Roland was carefully selected to lead New Life Church and act as a spiritual liaison for CU. He’s young, attractive, passionate about Jesus, and politically cautious.

The beginning bit sealed the deal for his current job placement. “Most fundamental churches and universities lack the finesse necessary to reach a young and struggling generation,” New Life was quoted as saying upon hiring Roland. Apparently he has this finesse, and that’s why they hired my birth father—after lengthy prayer, of course.

Initially, the faculty and board of CU was skeptical, worried that a “liberal” pastor would come in and attempt to change doctrine and therefore undermine the principles of the university. Roland’s liberal nature, the university was assured, is in his speech and dress alone. He’s often seen preaching in jeans, t-shirts, and Converse sneakers. According to the papers, regardless of his unconventional dress, his focus on the inerrancy of the Bible is fully intact.

Whatever the hell that means.

Crap.

Heck.

Whatever.





CHAPTER FIVE


Courageous


“Are you feeling okay? You fell asleep like right when we got back last night.” Eden fusses over her curls while I carefully apply mascara in the bathroom. Bridgette is in the shower.

I keep my eyes focused on my lashes. “Much better, thanks. Yesterday was crazy busy and I had a long drive.”

Eden smiles, seemingly satisfied with my answer, then hollers over her shoulder, “Hurry up, Bridge, we can’t be late for service! Especially our first one.”

“Don’t worry,” Bridgette calls back. “I didn’t wash my hair. I’ll be out in a sec.”

In truth, I didn’t fall asleep before midnight, but I kept my eyes tightly closed as soon as I crawled under the covers. I didn’t want to pray with my roommates again. I didn’t want to talk about the cute boys from the dining hall, though listening to their appraisals was fun—including speculation of what was under their t-shirts. Fit or Flub? They’d never know unless they happened to catch them at the pool. Moreover, I didn’t want to talk about the excitement over hearing Pastor Roland preach tomorrow.

Which was now today.

I just wanted to sleep. Or try to sleep. I texted my mother around eleven, telling her we were just finishing up with our activities and church would be early, so I’d call her after my first CU service was over the next morning.

I lied to her, which was nothing new for me. Like any teenager—well, any that I knew before yesterday—I’ve told my fair share of half-truths and white lies. But I also lied in a bigger way by not telling her about Roland preaching today.

“You were quiet last night during the floor meeting,” Eden remarks as she dusts the apples of her cheeks with light pink blush. Just enough. Not too much.