The Church of Less Mess

Residents of the small southern town of Barksdale believe that a young African American newcomer might be the Second Coming of the Messiah. Their speculations are based on what appear to be miracles performed in the presence of multiple witnesses, including the bigoted High Sheriff of Griggs County. While the tiny community struggles with political corruption and a dysfunctional education system in the background, the intriguing newcomer denounces church leadership and voices heterodox opinions that frighten preachers and make churchy church folk uncomfortable. Although he denies any special identity, his apparent resurrection of a man interred ten years earlier shocks the townspeople and attracts national attention. The implication inspires a series of extreme responses: The sheriff submits an earth-shaking confession to the district attorney; a self-righteous Uncle Tom to gives away his entire multi-million dollar estate; a tidal wave of pulpit pink slips ensue; and racial tensions rise between African Americans and Whites who emotionally reject the idea of a wooly haired Messiah. Modern-day Pharisees jockey to camouflage their ungodly impulses. Some tremble at his presence fearing that he might see through their sheep clothing. But others are banking that the capture and scrutiny of the man he supposedly brought back from the dead will be the death of what they hope is just blasphemous skullduggery.