ReShonda Tate Billingsley - Let the Church Say Amen

POCKET BOOKS, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright 2004 by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.
For information address Pocket Books, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Billingsley, ReShonda Tate.

Let the church say amen / ReShonda Tate Billingsley.1st Pocket Books trade pbk. ed.

p. cm.
1. African American familiesFiction. 2. African American clergyFiction. 3. Children of clergyFiction. 4. Spouses of clergyFiction. 5. Church membershipFiction. 6. Houston (Tex.)Fiction. I. Title.

PS3602.I445 L47 2004
813.6dc22

2004050397

ISBN-13: 978-1-4165-8556-5
ISBN-10: 1-4165-8556-7

POCKET BOOKS and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

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To Morgan
(my inspiration to keep writing)

A CKNOWLEDGMENTS

I am so blessed to be able to utilize my passionwriting. But I wouldnt be where I am today without the love and support of so many wonderful people.

First and foremost, my husband, Miron, who not only pushes me to pursue my dreams but who has never wavered in his support of those dreams. Thank you and Im grateful to have you, Morgan, and Mya in my life.

To my mother, Nancy Blacknell, who has shared my joy and sorrow as I ventured into this publishing world. And dont worrypeople know this is fiction and not our family.

To my little sister, soror, and friend, Tanisha Tatewords cannot even begin to express how grateful I am to you for being everything from my personal assistant to my proofreader. Thank you for pushing my books like they were your own.

Of course, as always, much love to my sorors who cheered me on, supported me every step of the way, and spread the word to all of their friends and family: Jaimi Canady, Kim Patterson-Wright, Raquelle Wooten, Clemelia Humphrey Richardson, Kristi King, Trina McReynolds, Sabrina McReynolds, Beverly Davis, Leslie Mouton, Stephanie Jenkins, and all the rest of the lovely ladies of Delta Xi.

Pat Tucker Wilson, my new literary/writing/reporting buddy. I can count on you to keep it real. Thanks for being such a great friend and supporting me in every way. See you on the bestsellers list!

Much love to the ministers who let me pick their brains: Rev. Mark Edwards (Zion Baptist Church) and A. Byron Coleman (Fifth Street Baptist Church). Also thanks to Rev. Robert Childress (Covenant Glenn United Methodist Church) and Kirby Jon Caldwell (Windsor Village United Methodist Church), who provided inspiration for my story without even knowing they were doing it.

I have to give much love to the best coworkers in the world at KRIV-TV, Fox 26 News, especially my own boss/author Kathy Williams (who has an awesome childrens book; check it out at daddybooks.com); Linda Drummond; Misty Starks; Damali Keith; Jos Grinan; Isiah Carey; Joe McGinty; Bernadette Brown; Lashauna Sewell; LaQuanta Dixon; Erin Anthony; Sinan Sadar; Keith Rollins; Stan Kowalski; Lisa Whitlock; John Donnelly; Christina Garza; and Michelle Casas. (I know I didnt name everyone, but please dont hold it against me, I only have so much space).

Thanks to all the photogs at KRIV who understood that I just wanted to write and not carry on conversations as we traveled back and forth to our stories: Rodney Pearson, Torrey Walker, Matt Matejka, Xavier Kirts, David Lanier, Ray Williams, Dick Hogg, Chris Desmond, Todd Smith, and Harry Hulsey.

Thanks also to: Waleed Salim, Della Jones, Tulisa Hicks, Brenda Goodwin, Birdell Smith, Lawanda (LaSha) Smith, Sonny Messiah, Lucille Pervis, Stephanie Banks Packer, Russell Pierce, Keisha Tate, the Houston Association of Black Journalists (under the direction of our fabulously supportive president, Anthony Ogbo), and the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., who continue to buy my books even though theyll probably never read them (yeah, Joe and Gerald, Im talking about you).

And I would be remiss if I wrapped this up without giving major thanks to the bookstores, booksellers, and book clubs who have shown me so much love. They include, but definitely are not limited to: Tee C. Royal (RAWSISTAZ), Yasmin Coleman (APOOO), Angie Pickett Henderson (Readincolor), The Shrine of the Black Madonna (Houston), Pyramid Books (Little Rock), and Black Images (Dallas). There are far too many book clubs to name, but I have to give a special shoutout to the members of the Brentwood Baptist Church Book Club; you ladies set the standard for how a lively, entertaining, and spirited book club meeting should go.

Finally, I have to thank you, the readers, who continue to support my work, send words of encouragement, and let me know what you liked (and in some cases didnt like). You are the reason I do what I do.

Hope you all enjoy this one as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Be blessed.

T HE CHOIR WAS cutting up.

Reverend Simon Jackson enthusiastically clapped as they sang Stomp by Kirk Franklin.

Loretta Jackson beamed as she watched her husband swing jubilantly to the music. She knew Simon wasnt too keen on these newfound gospel hip-hoppers, as he called them, but the choir had the church on its feet. Even he had to admit they sounded good.

The choir began winding down and Simon stood and approached the podium. He was radiating with pride as he looked out at his members. And as she did every Sunday just before his sermon, Loretta gave him a reassuring smile. It made her happy to see her husband doing what he loved best, being pastor of Zion Hill, one of the best churches in Houston, as he always proclaimed.

Let the church say amen! Simon yelled.

Amen! the congregation replied in unison.

Lets give our outstanding choir another round of applause because they sure spread Gods message today.

Simon led the applause as the choir members settled in their seats. Loretta was sitting in her usual front row seat. Good music always rejuvenated Simon, so she knew they were in for a rousing sermon.

Loretta opened her Bible as she glanced around. She sighed deeply because Rachel hadnt yet made it to church and she knew Simon would take notice.

Now, if you will, turn your Bibles to Proverbs twenty-eight, thirteen. I know everyone has their Bible, right? Simon sang.

Several people chuckled.

Of course we do, Pastor, an elderly woman named Ida Hicks shouted. Simon nodded at Sister Hicks, who was sitting in the front pew as well. Sister Hicks was decked out from head to toe in white, from her huge hat that looked like wings coming off the side of her head to her white stockings and scuffed-up white pumps.

Loretta tried to stifle a smile, because Simon often complained about Sister Hicks, saying she was like the student in class who always had the answer to everything. Loretta had to admit Sister Hicks drove everyone at the church crazy, but she was the original pastors widow, so people still gave her respect.