Presence in the Pew

Mitch Calloway had served as a youth minister at mega-church, White Hills Bible Church for ten years, and while he loved his job, he longed to pastor his own congregation. So when the opportunity came to interview for the position of pastor of the historic Mercy Fellowship in Shadow Glenn, Massachusetts, he knew it was God''s call.

Then he met with the church''s board of deacons.

Elijah Garby pelted Mitch with one question after another.

"When did you turn your life over to Jesus?"

Mitch didn''t hesitate. "When I was fifteen."

"When did you commit to serving in ministry?"

"The same night."

"Fine," Garby growled. "But what sort of formal education have you had?"

Mitch wasn''t about to let the old guy intimidate him. "I graduated from Anderson University. I majored in hermeneutics and minored in eschatology."

"And since then?"

"I''ve been a youth minister at White Hills Bible Church for the past ten years."

"You have kids?" Garby growled.

Mitch nodded. "Two. Matthew is eight, and Luke recently turned five."

"How do you feel about demonic activity? Do you think it''s real, or fantasy?"

Mitch thought it a strange queston. He narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"I mean do you believe in another realm, even though you can''t see it?"

"I don''t know what you''re driving at, Mister Garby."

"I''m asking you is, are you prepared to do battle with the devil himself, if necessary?"