when I should've been reading Luke 13:19. The kingdom of God is like a small—'
'Mustard seed!' the audience chanted in unison.
'That's right. And O hallelujah praise God Almighty how that mustard seed has grown. That first Sunday I preached to eight people, and three of them was asleep! Twelve years down the line there's not a stadium been built could hold all the members of this Mission Church of God. Right now, ladies and gentleman, kids, this mighty tree that's spreading across the whole wide world has more than two hundred thousand birds nesting in its branches. If that isn't proof that God holds good to his promises no matter how incredible they seem, then you tell me what is.'
The crowd jumped to their feet, hands raised, hallelujahs ringing out.
'Don't thank me, thank the Lord,' Bobby cried out and turned to the band, who struck up right on cue. The words to the worship song scrolled up the big screens:
Shine Jesus shine,
Fill this land
With the father's glory,
Blaze spirit blaze, set our hearts on fire . . .
The song was hypnotic, rousing, and as it drew to a close Jenny felt the pent-up energy in the auditorium replaced with a strange and powerful sense of collective peace, as if five thousand people were united in love and goodwill.
Suspending judgement, she allowed herself to be carried along with the tide, laughing and applauding with her neighbours as Bobby stepped up again to preach on the subject of a Christian's duty to live in the spirit, no matter where it might lead him. With a string of humorous anecdotes about his dealings with sceptical and corrupt politicians around the globe, Bobby showed his audience that speaking the truth, no matter how challenging, was the only way to walk with God. And the alternative to God, he said, was the devil.
'Any of you going to walk with the devil?' he challenged.
'No!' the audience boomed in reply.
'Well, ain't you lucky people - you've each got four thousand, nine hundred and ninety brothers and sisters here to hold you to your promise. Now I want you to turn to your neighbours, shake them by the hand and wish them strength in Jesus.'
Jenny found herself overwhelmed with outstretched hands, perfect strangers wishing her strength and offering ardent blessings.
'And now,' Bobby said, 'I'm going to introduce you to two men who've been towers of strength to me and have helped build this wonderful church here in Bristol, England - Mike Turnbull and Lennox Strong.'
The two men joined him on stage to a thunder of applause. Michael Turnbull was a similar age to Bobby, casually dressed and with the same glowing countenance that radiated wholesomeness and prosperity. Lennox Strong was an athletic black man in his late twenties. A tight T- shirt hugged his muscled torso.
Bobby invited each of them to give their testimonies for the benefit of all those who still doubted the truth of God's presence. Michael stepped forward first and told his story of being a wealthy, burnt-out ex-businessman who felt as wretched about his life's work and his contribution to the explosion in pornography as that great evangelist John Newton had once done about his role in the slave trade. It was hearing Pastor Bobby DeMont, over three years ago, that had finally opened the doors of his heart and changed him for ever. It was Bobby who had led him to realize that, through the Lord's infinite grace, even the most evil sinner can be made clean. He'd thrown open the doors and God rushed in as fast as daylight flooding a darkened room. But he hadn't let him rest easy. No, he had presented him with the biggest challenge of his life. Not only did he charge him with raising a church in the parched sands of a spiritual desert, he asked him to make war on pornography. It was far more than one human being could achieve alone, but God had filled him with joy and a sense of purpose which carried him from victory to victory. And now the end was in sight - an earthly law to enact the law of God was only days away from coming into existence.
A huge cheer went up like the roar of a football crowd. Michael Turnbull seemed to radiate benevolence as he graciously acknowledged it and stood aside for Lennox Strong.
The young pastor received a welcome that made even that given to Bobby DeMont seem modest. The shrill cries of young women sounded