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by Gerald Thomas (Author)
Answering the Call to become a minister, the author begins his journey as a camp counselor at church summer-camp. But the lure of a career in radio broadcasting wins his attention away from God's plan. Eight years after graduating from college and working at radio stations, he returns to the Call but this time decides to pursue God's plan rather than his own.
After successfully completing seminary and accepting a call to pastor a small Texas congregation, and doing so for four years, he runs into big trouble! Two teenage boys have put undesirable photographs and video clips of themselves on the pastor's computer which is found by another teen, who downloads the files from the computer's trash-bin onto a CD-ROM and proceeds to begin a blackmailing scheme against the pastor.
Alerted to the blackmail, a detective and an FBI Agent think that they have stumbled onto the crime of the century. But there is no evidence-yet. Then the lawsuit attorney becomes involved and things take a turn for the worse. Add to the mix a newly-elected district attorney. A formula for disaster.
After a criminal trial resulting in a 397-year prison sentence, the now former pastor begins a new career-in prison, doing time in some of the most violent and dangerous federal prisons in the country.
Eager to prove his innocence, he begins the long appeals process in both state and federal courts. But a denial is eminent. Is this the end of the road?
Turning to God with questions, he begins to listen for the answer and in the process learns how God communicates to people, and begins anew, fighting to be heard by the courts.
In this memoir, the author shares his experience of accepting God's Call to ministry, his seminary and ministry career, trial on sexual-assault charges and the behind-the-scene account, his prison experience and his continued fight to prove his innocence.
Along the way he shares reflections on some relevant Bible stories and accounts of faith as well as what he has learned about how God communicates to people today.
This is a story of faith amidst hardship and how to listen for God's answers to questions we pose, and how to live faithfully in the process. It is a profession of faith, innocence, and hope. It is a Pastor's profession.
