And the Shofar Blew

by Francine Rivers

2003
Tyndale

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"I'm drowning, God. I've never felt so alone. Who can I turn to but you, Lord?"
Would you expect this prayer from the beautiful wife of a spectacular young pastor in a growing church? Eunice and Paul Hudson, with their young son Tim, have come to pastor Centerville Christian Church. To this historical church in a historical building, Paul brings his enthusiasm, training, and the reputation of his great television preacher father with him to breathe new life into the congregation and the community. His newer methods and church growth strategies overrun the older members and church leaders, and rather than working together to build God's church, Paul strives to build his own while the elders try to hold onto tradition. Eunice is caught in the tension between sides, and left behind as Paul perceives her hesitation as rejection.
The shofar is the ancient ram's horn that was used in Israel to call God's people to worship. What will it take for the people of Centerville Church and their brilliant young pastor to hear the call, and to heed its message? This is a strikingly realistic story of a couple, a church, the perils and the triumphs of ministry.

review by Cindy DaRosa