Marked at Birth by Theresa A. Campbell

Author:Theresa A. Campbell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Urban Books
Published: 2022-11-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

A year later, Pastor Maurice Osbourne Jr. was in top form, ministering to his church as if he was born to preach.

“I know it gets hard sometimes, but never take your eyes off Jesus,” Maurice shouted into the microphone. “Remember when you’re lying on your back in the valley, at the lowest point in your life, the only thing you can do is look up! Look up to Jesus! I say look up!”

The church was in an uproar. People were on their feet, stomping and screaming. Some were in the aisles, dancing and weeping, and others had their hands in the air, praising and speaking in tongues. The Holy Spirit was in full force that Sunday morning at Christian Deliverance Church of God.

The handsome, charismatic young pastor—he was now twenty-six—slipped off his black pin-striped jacket and handed it to one of his assistants. A few young ladies began screaming, and it wasn’t because they were in the spirit. At least not the Holy Spirit. It was their pastor’s broad, muscled physique, now more conspicuous with his jacket off, that did the trick.

Sitting in the back row of the church, Rachel rolled her eyes at the women’s shenanigans. Unlike them, she was calm, cool, and trying to be classy. No screaming and hollering to get the pastor’s attention, well, not in the church, anyway. All that would be done in private when she finally roped in the rich young pastor.

“Keep your eyes on the Lord, my brothers and sisters. He’ll see you through.” The pastor’s eyes scanned the church from front to back, his sincerity and passion for his message etched across his face. “Look at me. When my father passed away, many people didn’t think I was fit to take over this church. But look at me now.”

Hallelujahs and amens rang out, while a few deacons and elders looked down at their feet from guilt.

“Whatever God has in store for you must be for you. Don’t ever forget your steps are ordered by the Lord. Glory.”

After the service, Maurice slipped back into his jacket, wiped his sweaty face with his handkerchief, and drank a tall glass of water before making his way to the front of the church. Sandwiched between the two associate pastors, he stood by the doors and greeted his members with a handshake and a few words.

Rachel lingered there, waiting for most of the churchgoers to leave. At one point, she looked around and realized that a few other ladies had the same idea. Her face twisted up. She glared at the women, her eyes shooting daggers.

After engaging in a standoff for a few minutes, Rachel sucked her teeth loudly, stood up, pulled down the hem of the formfitting bright red dress, and walked to the exit, to stand in front of Maurice.

“Good afternoon, Pastor. Great service today.” Rachel’s ruby-red lips parted in a seductive smile, and her eyelashes fluttered over her catlike hazel eyes.

“Thank you, Sister Rachel.” Maurice shook her right hand, amusement and curiosity shining in his eyes.

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