The House of Levi — David Hunter

People of the small southern town of Barksdale believe that a mysterious African American newcomer (Chris) might be on some kind of divine mission. They base their speculations on what appear to be miracles performed in the presence of multiple witnesses, including the bigoted High Sheriff of Griggs county. While the community struggles in the background with political corruption and dysfunction in the school system, the strange young man voices out-of-the-box opinions and denounces church leadership, making preachers and churchy type church folk uncomfortable. Although he denies any special identity, what apparently happens to one of his miraculous beneficiaries shocks the town and attracts global attention. A series of extreme responses follow, including, a self- righteous "Uncle Tom" making an unimaginable sacrifice and the sheriff submitting in writing, an earth-shaking confession. Pulpit pink slips fly; Racial tensions rise between African Americans and whites who vehemently reject the idea that Chris is special; 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 scientific scrutiny of the missing "miraculous beneficiary" will soon lay to rest what they hope is no more than just blasphemous skullduggery. .