Introduction 

At the end of last month I shared about the coming publication of my Gathering of Misfits: Steve and Phoebe novel for Kindle and Amazon.com. I am happy to announce that my second Gathering of Misfits novel is live!

Acceptance of Ungodly Characters

In my first book of the series, Gathering of Misfits: Joe and Angela, I told of the new community of believers gathering to take Asset- Based Community Development to a God- chosen neighborhood in order to bring the Kingdom of Jesus to their street. I began to depict the acceptance of societal misfits by mentioning that Apostle Joe was an ex-con and ex- conman. I also told of his wife, Angela’s, former career as a sex slave and her falling into a BDSM affair from which she was delivered. Finally, I revealed her family relationship with the leader of the local gang.

Acceptance of a Pimp and Pedophile

My second novel goes further. It tells of the prostitutes/ employees of Steve Keller’s tavern. They join a Gathering of Misfits small group and share their stories of being forced into incest, pole dancing, and legal prostitution. In addition, this novel tells of the romance between Steve, a closet pedophile, and Phoebe, a not- quite- adult songbird for the Gathering community. 

This story depicts Steve’s determination to keep Keller’s Tavern operating despite neighborhood opposition. It tells of the overthrow of the Conquistadors’ leader by his second- in-command and the new leader’s efforts to take tyrannical control of the neighborhood. Tragedy of his own making leads to the destruction of the tavern and the murder of one of the Gathering leaders.

Those who believe in and follow King Jesus know that 

     We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan. (Romans 8:28)

Kingdom solutions are found for Steve and Phoebe, for the prostitutes of Keller’s, and for the Conquistadors gang.

Questions 

Along with orange, the reputations of pedophiles is the new black. Can you accept a pedophile who has turned to Jesus and is living in His Kingdom?

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…”. While mourning the loss of a loved one or of your livelihood, can you trust and give thanks to God in the midst of tragedy? Can you seek His new, better way to go on?