FOUR YEARS AGO
“Bishop will be with you shortly.”
Wilson was ushered into Kusi’s office and took the view in. He’d heard of the gorgeous office of the regional bishop, but this was his first experience. The reviews did not do it justice; it was a magnificent office. It was three floors up and had a view of the city that was to die for. The walls were wine and gold, and the décor made it look like a luxury hotel room.
There were framed pictures of Kusi with Rhamses, with the president of the country, with some of the senior pastors of the City of Faith church network, and one with two other guys he didn’t recognize. Something about that last picture got his attention, so he went close to it. He looked at it for a while and then started to stare like he’d been taken over by another person.
“Ah yes, one of my favorites. I see you’re quite interested in it.”
Kusi made his way in from an inner chamber somewhere in the room where Wilson couldn’t see him. He slowly walked as he talked, landing right next to Wilson. “That gentleman on the left is the state governor. The other gentleman is a state senator. He’s been very crucial to our establishment as a church in this state. He and papa go way back.”
Wilson didn’t move at all, and barely acknowledged Kusi’s speech.
Kusi now walked over to his desk. “Have a seat, my brother.”
Wilson sat down. “Bishop, I must say, your office is marvelous. God bless Lady Erica and her wonderful taste.”
With a deadpan look on his face, Kusi replied, “Actually, it was my taste.”
“Oh sorry, I thought-”
“You’re welcome.”
Silence followed. Kusi kept his eyes on Wilson, while Wilson remained calm in his seat. For a while, Wilson kept wondering if there was something on his face, but he didn’t try to check. Something inside of him just kept him still. Meanwhile, Kusi’s stare got even more intense. For anyone else, the stare and the complete quiet would’ve been a nasty recipe for anxiety.
Somehow, Wilson remained cool and confident as ever.
An eternity went by before Kusi broke the ice. “So, how did you do it?”
Wilson raised his eyebrows in confusion. “I’m sorry, do what?”
Kusi’s face remained serious. “How did you do it, Osofo?”
“You’re going to have to be clearer, bishop.”
Kusi stood up. “Wilson, have you ever been a youth elder?”
“No.”
“Have you ever been a youth pastor?”
“No.”
“Have you ever been a head of any department at City of Faith?”
“No, I have not.”
“Have you ever been an armor bearer to papa?”
“No.”
“Have you ever been an armor bearer to any of the senior pastors or branch pastors?”
“No I have not.”
Kusi started to walk around to Wilson’s end of the table. “If I were to take a picture of you and show it to any of the members at City of Faith main branch, they would not know who you are. If I were to show that picture to any of the pastors at main branch, they would not know you. If I were to feed your face into anything that could go through the livestream footage for main branch and find a face, it would not even come close to finding yours. Yet, here you are, about to be the head pastor for a legacy branch a whole continent away from your own main branch, where no one knows you. So, Osofo, I ask again. How, did you, do it?”
Wilson’s eyes could’ve sucked in all the air in the room if they could stay wide open long enough. Surprise was the kindest descriptor of his facial expression. “Sorry, did you say head pastor?”
Kusi sat on the table. “I’d heard the talk. ‘Oh, the prayer guy managed to find a loophole in the family and married up.’ ‘Oh, the guy charmed his way into the fast lane.’ Some even thought a whole Archbishop Rhamses King had been deceived by you. I never thought you were right for Ellen, but I respected you as a man for even making a move on her. I figured they would’ve tried to find a place for you so you’d look respectable. Youth pastor, maybe one of the senior prayer guys. But branch pastor? Let alone of a branch that is in crisis? Papa must be looking to close the branch down without making it seem that way, I guess.
“Anyway, it is my pleasure and privilege to inform you that the venerable Archbishop Rhamses King has chosen you to be the next head pastor for the local branch of City of Faith Ministries in Chatswick. Your appointment goes into effect at the end of the month, and there will be a special service to install you and Ellen, Lady Ellen, as the new leaders for that branch. Over the next couple of weeks, Lady Erica and I will be meeting with Lady Ellen and you to go over some details and some policies. Congratulations.”
“Slow down, bishop. I’m not quite sure I understand. I’m being made a head pastor?”
“Yes.”
“Of the Chatswick branch?”
“Yes.”
“The same branch I preached in some weeks ago?”
“Correct.”
“Doesn’t that branch have a head pastor?”
“Yes. You.”
“No, no. I mean, already. Doesn’t that branch have a head pastor already?”
“That is not your concern as of now. Your concern is with preparing to take the helm.”
Kusi went back to his seat behind the desk and took out a thick, white book. “This is the main policy manual for all City of Faith branches. Go over it before our next-”
“What if I refuse?”
Kusi leaned back in his chair. “Excuse me?”
“Refuse. You know, say no. What if I do that?”
“You want to refuse your appointment as a branch pastor?”
“Well, I haven’t decided whether to accept or refuse, so I’d like to know what’s behind each door.”
Now it was Kusi’s turn to be absolutely lost. “Do you know how long it takes to get to this position? How much work, how much sacrifice? The guys you used to pray with would kill for this position.”
“I know, bishop, I’m well aware. Its just that in all your speaking, I never once heard the part where I could either choose to accept or reject this position. Now, it is a prestigious position, and one that carries great privilege. But it also carries great responsibility, which is something Ellen and I would have to bear. I don’t find it unreasonable to assume that I would, at least, be allowed to discuss it with her before I make my decision. I would simply like to know what happens if said decision is negative.”
Kusi looked like a man whose son had just called him his equal. He leaned forward and looked Wilson dead in the eye.
“Wilson, let me give you some advice. When the archbishop speaks, it is final. No ifs, ands, or buts. The archbishop has chosen you, you’re the chosen one. There is no backing down from any assignment. If it is your intention to remain under the covering of our papa, and a recognized member of his family, I suggest you know this and know peace. Now, take the handbook home, resolve whatever it is that you need to resolve with your wife, and prepare yourselves for your meeting with Erica and I in a few days. Congratulations, and God be with you.”
Okayyy, so, this is how it began for Wilson. Pretty clear that Bishop Kusi does not like him very much…
But then, I think we’ve known that since the back story…
