COVENANT HEIGHTS
Episode 13: Sanctuary Laws and Broken Walls
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**CONTENT WARNING:** This episode contains child abuse, forced marriage, domestic violence, legal battles, cultural conflict, and themes of protecting minors from harm. Reader discretion advised.
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**Monday Morning - Rachel's Emergency Call**
Rachel's phone rang at 6:47 AM. The caller ID showed Mercy Hospital—her hospital.
"Dr. Henderson."
"Rachel, it's Nurse Patricia Moore from pediatrics. We have a situation. An eleven-year-old girl came in last night with a broken wrist and bruised ribs. She's terrified. Won't speak. But when I examined her privately, she whispered that her parents are trying to force her to marry a forty-seven-year-old man. The man who gave her these injuries."
Rachel was instantly alert. "Where is she now?"
"That's the problem. Her parents are here. They're demanding we release her. They have legal custody. But Rachel, this child is terrified. She begged me not to let them take her. And the man—he's here too. Sitting in the waiting room like he owns her."
"Don't release her. I'm calling CPS and coming in myself." Rachel was already getting dressed. "Patricia, you keep that child safe until I get there."
"There's one more thing. The family is Muslim. The parents are claiming this is a cultural marriage arrangement, that we're being discriminatory by interfering."
Rachel's voice turned to steel. "I don't care what they call it. An eleven-year-old cannot consent to marriage. An eleven-year-old being beaten by a grown man is abuse, period. Culture doesn't override child protection laws."
"I was hoping you'd say that. Because Rachel—I already snuck her out."
"You what?"
"I couldn't let them take her. So I told the parents she was being moved to a different floor for additional testing. But really, I put her in my car and I'm driving around the parking lot right now trying to figure out where to take her." Patricia's voice was shaking. "I just committed about ten violations of hospital policy and probably broke several laws. But I couldn't let that baby go back to them."
Rachel closed her eyes, feeling the Holy Spirit's clear direction. "Bring her to Glory & Grace Fellowship. Right now. I'll meet you there. And Patricia—you did the right thing."
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**Glory & Grace Fellowship - 7:30 AM**
Apostle Marcus opened the church to find Rachel, a nurse he'd never met, and a small, terrified girl with her arm in a cast sitting in his office.
"Marcus, this is Maria. She's eleven years old. Her parents are trying to force her to marry a forty-seven-year-old man who's already physically abused her twice. Nurse Patricia Moore smuggled her out of the hospital. And we need to give her sanctuary."
Marcus looked at the child—small for her age, dark hair, huge brown eyes filled with fear, wearing a hospital gown under a borrowed jacket.
"Maria, do you speak English?"
The girl nodded slightly. "Yes, sir. I was born here. In America."
"Are your parents trying to make you marry someone you don't want to marry?"
Tears spilled down her cheeks. "Yes. His name is Ahmed. He's from my parents' village in Pakistan. They arranged it when I was a baby. He came here three months ago. I'm supposed to marry him next week when I turn twelve."
"And he hit you?"
Maria pulled aside her jacket, showing bruises on her arms. "He said I was disrespectful. That I needed to learn to obey. My father said it was his right to discipline me because I'm promised to him."
Rachel knelt beside Maria's chair. "Sweetheart, you're not going to marry him. You're eleven years old. That's not marriage—that's abuse. And we're going to protect you."
"But my parents—they'll come looking for me. They'll be so angry. And Ahmed—" Maria's voice dropped to a terrified whisper, "—he said if I tried to run, he'd kill me. He said no one would stop him because I belong to him."
Marcus felt rage building in his chest—the righteous kind that made Jesus flip tables. "Maria, you don't belong to anyone except God. You're a child. And we're going to make sure you're safe."
"But where will I go? If I can't go home—"
"You'll stay here," Rachel said firmly. "We have families in this church who will take care of you. We have lawyers who will fight for you. And we have a God who protects children."
Patricia spoke up. "Apostle Marcus, I need you to understand what I've done. I removed a patient from the hospital without authorization. I lied to her parents about where she was. I've probably committed kidnapping under the law, even though I know it was the right thing to do."
"Then we'll face those consequences together." Marcus pulled out his phone. "I'm calling our lawyer, Gerald Ashford. And Officer Thompson. We're going to do this right. We're going to protect Maria legally and properly. But first—" he looked at the little girl, "—are you hungry? Have you eaten breakfast?"
Maria shook her head.
"Elena!" Marcus called toward the fellowship hall. "We need you!"
**Two Hours Later - The Parents Arrive**
Maria's father, Rashid, and her mother, Fatima, showed up at Glory & Grace Fellowship with Ahmed and two other men at 10:00 AM. They pounded on the locked church doors, demanding their daughter.
Officer Thompson was already there, along with two other officers and a CPS caseworker named Jennifer Park—who happened to be Sarah's attorney from her own case.
"Mr. and Mrs. Al-Rahman, I'm Officer Thompson. I understand you're looking for your daughter."
"You have no right to keep her from us! She is our child! This is kidnapping!" Rashid's face was red with fury.
"Your daughter is in protective custody while we investigate allegations of child abuse and attempted forced marriage of a minor."
"This is discrimination! This is religious persecution! Our faith allows—"
"Your faith doesn't override U.S. law," Jennifer Park stepped forward. "Under federal law, anyone under eighteen cannot legally consent to marriage. Under state law, forcing a child into marriage is considered human trafficking. And under any law, a grown man breaking a child's wrist is assault."
Ahmed spoke for the first time, his English heavily accented but clear. "The girl is lying. She is clumsy. She fell. I never touched her."
"Then you won't mind if we examine her injuries and get her statement on record." Jennifer's voice was ice. "And Mr. Ahmed, I should inform you that you're currently being investigated for child abuse and conspiracy to commit human trafficking. I'd suggest you get a lawyer."
"This is America! We have rights! We have freedom of religion!"
"You do," Marcus appeared in the doorway, his presence commanding. "You have the right to practice your faith. You don't have the right to abuse children in the name of it. You don't have the right to sell your daughter to a man four times her age. You don't have the right to beat her for disobedience."
"You know nothing of our ways! You Christians always think you can force your beliefs on everyone!"
"This isn't about religion. This is about a terrified eleven-year-old girl with a broken wrist and bruised ribs who begged a nurse not to let her go back to the people who were supposed to protect her." Marcus's voice was quiet but carried enormous weight. "And I will not—I will not—allow a child to be harmed while I have breath in my body."
"Where is she? We demand to see our daughter!"
"You'll see her in court. With a judge present. And a guardian ad litem who will represent her interests, not yours." Jennifer handed Rashid a legal document. "This is a temporary restraining order preventing you or Mr. Ahmed from coming within five hundred feet of Maria. Violation will result in immediate arrest. Do you understand?"
Rashid spit on the document. "This is an abomination! You will answer to God for stealing our child!"
"No," Marcus said quietly. "You'll answer to God for what you tried to do to her."
The police escorted them off church property. But as they left, Ahmed turned back and looked directly at the church building with eyes full of cold promise.
"She belongs to me. No piece of paper will change that."
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**That Afternoon - The Strategy Session**
Gerald Ashford sat in Apostle Marcus's office with Rachel, Jennifer Park, Officer Thompson, and Nurse Patricia.
"Let me be clear about what we're facing legally," Gerald began. "Patricia, you could be charged with custodial interference, possibly kidnapping. The hospital will likely fire you. You may lose your nursing license."
Patricia's hands shook, but her voice was steady. "I'd do it again. I couldn't let them take that baby."
"I know. And we're going to fight for you. But you need to be prepared." Gerald turned to Marcus. "Apostle Marcus, by harboring Maria, this church could be charged with interference with parental rights. The parents could sue for damages. And given Senator Lawson's current campaign against you, this is going to be used as more ammunition."
"Let them come." Marcus's voice was firm. "That child is not going back to those people. And she's certainly not being married off to a man who's already proven he'll hurt her."
"The parents will claim religious freedom. They'll say we're discriminating against their Islamic faith."
"Then let them explain to a judge why their faith requires a grown man to marry a child," Rachel shot back. "Because I'm pretty sure most Muslims would be horrified by this too. This isn't about religion—this is about control and abuse wrapped in cultural justification."
Jennifer nodded. "I've already filed for emergency custody on behalf of CPS. There's a hearing tomorrow at 2 PM. The judge will decide temporary placement. I'm going to argue for foster care with a family from the church who's been vetted and approved."
"Who?" Marcus asked.
"Sarah Bennett. She's already been through our system. She's approved as a foster parent—we fast-tracked her during her own case in case we needed emergency placement for her kids. Her home is safe. She understands trauma. And Maria needs someone who gets what it's like to escape an abusive situation."
Marcus felt the Holy Spirit's confirmation. "Sarah would be perfect. Have you asked her?"
"I'm calling her next."
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**Sarah's Apartment - That Evening**
Sarah sat across from Maria in her living room, Joshua doing homework in his room, Grace sleeping in her crib.
"Maria, if the judge says yes tomorrow, would you be okay staying here with me and my kids for a while?"
Maria looked around the small apartment—clean, safe, filled with evidence of normal family life. Toys. Books. Photos. No fear.
"You don't have to do this. You don't even know me."
"I know you're eleven years old and you're scared. I know someone hurt you and said you belonged to them. I know you ran because staying meant losing yourself." Sarah's voice was gentle. "Maria, six months ago, I was you. Different circumstances, but the same terror. The same feeling that no one would believe me, no one would help me, nowhere was safe."
"What happened? How did you get away?"
"I ran to this church. And they protected me. They fought for me. They stood between me and the man who hurt me until I was finally free." Sarah reached across and took Maria's uninjured hand. "And now it's my turn to do that for you. So yes, I want you here. I want to show you that you can be safe. That you can be a kid. That you don't have to marry anyone or obey anyone or be afraid anymore."
"What if the judge says I have to go back?"
"Then we appeal. We fight. We don't stop fighting until you're safe." Sarah's voice was fierce. "Maria, you're not alone anymore. You have an entire church that's going to stand with you. Okay?"
Maria nodded, tears streaming down her face.
And for the first time in months, she felt something that might have been hope.
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**Tuesday - The Custody Hearing**
The courtroom was packed. Rashid and Fatima Al-Rahman sat with their lawyer—an expensive attorney who specialized in religious freedom cases. Ahmed sat behind them, his presence a silent threat.
On the other side sat Sarah, Maria (with a guardian ad litem), Jennifer Park, Gerald Ashford, and Apostle Marcus.
The judge was the same Judge Okonkwo who'd presided over Sarah's restraining order hearing. She looked over her glasses at the assembled parties with an expression that suggested she'd already heard enough nonsense for one lifetime.
"This is a custody hearing regarding Maria Al-Rahman, age eleven. The state is seeking emergency protective custody based on allegations of child abuse and attempted forced marriage. Mr. Al-Rahman, your attorney may present your case."
The defense attorney stood. "Your Honor, this is a clear case of religious discrimination. My clients are practicing Muslims who have arranged a marriage according to their cultural and religious traditions. The girl will not be married until she's of age according to their religious law. The so-called 'injuries' were the result of normal childhood clumsiness—"
"Normal childhood clumsiness doesn't break wrists," Judge Okonkwo interrupted. "Continue."
"Furthermore, a Christian church has unlawfully taken this child from her family, imposed their religious views, and is now attempting to permanently separate a child from her parents. We ask that Maria be returned to her family immediately."
Jennifer Park stood. "Your Honor, may I present evidence?"
She submitted medical records showing Maria's injuries—the broken wrist, the bruised ribs, previous injuries from two months ago that the parents claimed were from falling off her bike.
She submitted Maria's testimony, given privately with the guardian ad litem present, detailing Ahmed's abuse and her parents' threats about the upcoming marriage.
She submitted documentation that Ahmed, at forty-seven, had arrived in the country specifically to marry Maria, as arranged by her parents when she was an infant.
"Your Honor, this isn't about religious freedom. This is about a child being sold to a grown man. This is human trafficking dressed up as cultural practice."
The defense attorney objected. "That's inflammatory and prejudiced—"
"Is it?" Judge Okonkwo looked at Rashid Al-Rahman. "Mr. Al-Rahman, how old is your daughter?"
"Eleven. She'll be twelve next week."
"And Mr. Ahmed is forty-seven?"
"Yes."
"And you arranged for them to marry?"
"It's our tradition—"
"I don't care if it's your tradition. It's illegal in this country. Full stop." Judge Okonkwo's voice was sharp. "Let me be very clear. I don't care what your religion says. I don't care what your culture practices. In the United States of America, children cannot consent to marriage. Children cannot be sold or traded or promised to adults. And grown men who hit children go to jail."
She looked at Ahmed. "Mr. Ahmed, you're being charged with assault of a minor and conspiracy to commit human trafficking. You'll remain in this country to face those charges, after which you'll be deported."
Then she looked at Maria's parents. "Mr. and Mrs. Al-Rahman, you're being charged with child endangerment and attempted human trafficking of a minor. You're prohibited from any contact with Maria pending trial. Custody is awarded to the state, with placement in the foster home of Sarah Bennett, pending long-term determination."
"You can't do this! She's our daughter!" Fatima was crying now.
"She's a child. And I'm protecting her." Judge Okonkwo banged her gavel. "Case adjourned. Next hearing in thirty days."
As they left the courtroom, Ahmed looked directly at Sarah with cold calculation.
"You think you've won. You haven't. That girl was promised to me. I will have what's mine."
Officer Thompson stepped between them. "Is that a threat, Mr. Ahmed?"
"It's a promise."
"Then let me make you a promise. You come near that child, you come near that church, you come near anyone associated with this case, and I will make it my life's mission to ensure you never see the outside of a prison cell. Are we clear?"
Ahmed smiled—a cold, dead smile—and walked away.
But everyone who saw that smile knew: this wasn't over.
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**Wednesday Night - Youth Group**
Joshua was helping set up for youth group when he noticed a new face—a seventeen-year-old kid who looked uncomfortable but determined.
"Hey, I'm Joshua. You new here?"
"Yeah. I'm Cameron. Just moved to Covenant Heights with my mom." He hesitated. "Can I ask you something? Is this church... like, actually serious about following the Bible? Or is it one of those places that just talks about it?"
Joshua raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"
"Because I'm trying to honor God in something, and everyone—my friends, even my own dad—thinks I'm crazy for it. I need to know if there's anyone else who actually takes this stuff seriously."
"What are you trying to honor God in?"
Cameron's face flushed. "I want to wait until I'm married to have sex. For the first time. I'm seventeen, and I've never... you know. And all my friends make fun of me. They say I'm missing out. That I'm being stupid. That there's no way I can make it."
He looked down at his hands. "But the worst part is my dad. He keeps telling me that's unrealistic. That I should 'be a man' and stop being so uptight. He actually offered to take me to... well, somewhere I don't want to go. Said I needed to 'grow up' and stop letting religion control my life."
Joshua felt anger rising on Cameron's behalf. "Dude, that's messed up. Your dad should be supporting you, not pressuring you to compromise."
"Right? But everyone acts like I'm the weird one for wanting to obey what God says about purity." Cameron's voice was frustrated. "So I'm asking—is this a church that actually believes what the Bible says? Or is everyone here going to tell me I'm being too extreme?"
Michael approached, having overheard the conversation. "Cameron, right? I'm Michael. And yeah, this is a church that takes God's Word seriously. Including what it says about sexual purity."
"Really? Because most churches I've been to, people say they believe it, but then everyone's hooking up anyway and nobody talks about it."
"Not here," Michael said firmly. "Here, we believe holiness matters. We believe obedience matters. We believe that God's commands aren't suggestions—they're for our protection and blessing." He put his hand on Cameron's shoulder. "And Cameron? Standing firm in purity when everyone around you is compromising? That's not weird. That's warrior-level faith. And we're going to support you in that."
Cameron's eyes filled with relief. "Thank you. You have no idea how much I needed to hear that."
The youth pastor, Kevin, overheard and came over. "Cameron, I want you to know something. We're going to start a purity group here—guys who are committed to honoring God with their bodies and holding each other accountable. You interested?"
"Absolutely."
"Good. Because you're not alone in this. There are other guys here fighting the same battle. And we're going to fight it together."
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**Thursday - Sandy's Testimony**
The courtroom was packed for Sandy's testimony against her pimp. Media filled the gallery—not because they cared about trafficking, but because Glory & Grace Fellowship was involved.
Sandy took the stand wearing modest clothes provided by the church, her hair pulled back, her face clean of the heavy makeup she used to hide behind.
The prosecutor led her through her story. How she'd been recruited at eighteen. How the promises of modeling turned into prostitution. How escape attempts were punished. How she'd finally run and found refuge at a church.
"And Miss Sandy, can you identify the man who trafficked you?"
Sandy pointed at Street Marcus, sitting at the defense table with his expensive lawyer. "That's him. He calls himself Marcus."
"And how many other girls worked for him?"
"At least twelve that I knew of. Probably more."
"And where are those girls now?"
"Free. Because when he got arrested, the police found them and got them out." Sandy's voice was strong now. "He said I was his property. He said I could never leave. He said no one would help me because I was worthless. But he was wrong. This church—Glory & Grace Fellowship—they saw me as a person. They protected me. They helped me be brave enough to do this."
The defense attorney tried to break her testimony, tried to paint her as a willing participant, tried to suggest she'd fabricated abuse.
But Sandy didn't break. Sarah sat in the gallery, watching, and recognized the strength of a survivor who'd finally decided to stop running.
The verdict came back in two hours: guilty on all counts.
Street Marcus was sentenced to twenty-five years in federal prison.
And as they led him away, he looked at Sandy with pure hatred.
But she didn't flinch. Because she wasn't his anymore.
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**Friday - Senator Lawson's Lawsuit**
The lawsuit hit Glory & Grace Fellowship like a bomb.
Senator Richard Lawson, on behalf of "concerned citizens," was suing the church for $10 million for:
- Defamation (Joshua's prophetic word calling him a wolf)
- Interference with religious freedom (banning him from the church)
- Emotional distress
- Conspiracy to damage his political career
Gerald Ashford read through the filing and laughed bitterly.
"This is a SLAPP suit—Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation. He knows he won't win. He's just trying to drain your resources and silence you."
"Will it work?" Marcus asked.
"Not if I have anything to say about it. We'll file a motion to dismiss. We'll countersue for malicious prosecution. And we'll make sure every news outlet knows that a senator is suing a church for protecting trafficking victims and abused children." Gerald smiled grimly. "Marcus, this man just made a huge mistake. Because now we get to put him on trial in the court of public opinion."
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**Saturday - The New Visitor**
A young woman named Alicia walked into Glory & Grace on Saturday afternoon, looking for someone to talk to. She found Elena in the fellowship hall.
"Excuse me, is there a pastor available? I need... I need some guidance."
Elena saw the distress on her face. "Let me get Apostle Marcus. Come sit down, honey."
Ten minutes later, Alicia sat in Marcus's office, tears streaming down her face.
"I'm twenty-four. I gave my life to Christ six months ago. Everything changed—my whole life has been different since I met Jesus." She twisted her hands in her lap. "But I'm engaged. To a man I've been with for three years. We were planning to get married next month."
"Congratulations," Marcus said gently. "So what's the problem?"
"He won't come to Christ. He's an atheist. He thinks religion is... he tolerates my faith, but he won't consider it for himself. And now I don't know what to do." Alicia's voice broke. "I love him. I really love him. We've built a life together. But I keep reading Scripture about being unequally yoked, about not partnering with unbelievers, and I'm so confused."
Marcus leaned forward. "Alicia, what does your fiancé say about your faith?"
"He says it's fine for me. That he's happy I found something that makes me happy. But he won't come to church. Won't pray with me. Gets uncomfortable when I talk about Jesus." She wiped her eyes. "I keep hoping he'll change his mind. That if I love him enough, if I'm patient enough, he'll see what I see. But deep down, I know he won't. And I don't know if I can marry him knowing that."
"Do you want me to tell you what you should do?"
"Yes. Please."
Marcus opened his Bible. "Second Corinthians 6:14 says 'Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?' Alicia, this isn't God being mean. This is God protecting you."
"But I love him—"
"I know you do. But love isn't enough for a marriage. You need shared values. Shared purpose. Shared faith." Marcus's voice was gentle but firm. "If you marry this man, you'll be trying to build a life on two different foundations. When children come, you'll fight about how to raise them. When trials come, you'll have no spiritual unity to lean on. When you want to serve God, he'll resent the time it takes away from him."
"But what if he changes after we're married?"
"Alicia, you cannot marry someone hoping they'll change. You have to accept them as they are right now. And if who they are right now isn't compatible with who God is calling you to be, then marriage isn't the answer." Marcus leaned back. "I know this is hard. I know you love him. But God is asking you to love Him more. To trust that His plan for your life is better than the one you're trying to force."
Alicia sobbed. "So I have to choose. Between the man I love and the God I'm trying to serve."
"Yes. And Alicia, if you choose God, He will bless that obedience. Maybe your fiancé will see your faithfulness and be drawn to Christ. Maybe God has someone better waiting for you. Maybe there's a purpose in this season that you can't see yet. But if you compromise now, if you marry someone who doesn't share your faith, you'll regret it. I promise you that."
"This is the hardest thing I've ever had to do."
"Following Jesus often is. But it's always worth it."
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**Saturday Evening - The Phone Call**
Marcus was in his office late Saturday night when his phone rang. Unknown number.
"Apostle Marcus Henderson?"
"Yes?"
"My name is Bishop David Chen. I'm calling from San Francisco. I've been watching what's happening with your church—the trafficking victim, the forced marriage case, the lawsuit. And I have a proposition for you."
"I'm listening."
"I represent a coalition of churches across the country who are committed to being actual sanctuary. Not just in theory—in practice. Churches that protect trafficking victims, children fleeing abuse, anyone the system fails to protect."
Marcus felt something stirring in his spirit.
"We want Glory & Grace to join us. To become part of a national network. We'd provide legal resources, financial support, training, and most importantly—solidarity. You wouldn't be fighting these battles alone anymore."
"What would it cost?"
"Commitment. The willingness to keep saying yes when everyone else says no. The courage to take the cases no one else will touch." Bishop Chen paused. "Apostle Marcus, God is raising up a movement. Churches that will be sanctuary for the outcasts. And you're already doing it. We just want to help you do it better."
"Let me pray about it. And talk to my leadership team."
"Of course. But Marcus? I'll tell you what God told me when I started this work ten years ago: 'The fields are white with harvest, but the laborers are few.' You're a laborer. Don't work alone when you could work with an army."
After the call ended, Marcus sat in his office and felt the weight and wonder of what God was building.
They'd lost members. Lost reputation. Lost comfort.
But they'd gained something far more valuable: purpose.
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**Sunday Service - Joshua's Vision**
During worship, Joshua felt the familiar burning. This time, the word was for everyone.
He walked to the microphone during the offering.
"God is showing me people who are coming to this church. He's showing me their faces and their struggles."
The congregation quieted.
"I see a young woman who's torn between marrying the man she loves and obeying God. I see a teenage boy being mocked for wanting to stay pure until marriage. I see people battling addictions, people with broken families, people who've made terrible mistakes and don't think God can use them."
Some people nodded, recognizing themselves or people they knew.
"And God is saying: 'These are the ones I'm sending you. The ones struggling to obey when obedience costs them everything. The ones trying to be faithful when everyone around them says it's impossible. The ones who need a church that will hold the line on holiness while loving them through the battle.'"
Joshua's voice got stronger.
"Because if you say yes—if you really become a church that upholds God's Word without compromise while showing grace to those who are fighting to obey it—God says He's going to do something so big in this church that the whole city will see it. He's going to bring revival. He's going to bring healing. He's going to bring miracles. But first, you have to be willing to stand for truth even when it's unpopular."
He looked directly at Apostle Marcus.
"And God says to tell you, Apostle Marcus: 'I'm expanding your territory. Not with numbers. With influence. I'm giving you a voice that will reach the nation. I'm giving you a platform that will challenge the compromised church. I'm giving you the courage to say what others won't say. Say yes, and watch what I do.'"
Marcus stood, tears streaming down his face.
"Church, you heard the word. I'm saying yes. The question is: are you with me?"
The entire congregation stood.
Every single person.
"Then let's see what God does when we say yes to holiness."
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**To Be Continued...**
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**AUTHOR'S NOTE:**
Following Jesus sometimes means losing what we love to gain what we need. It means saying no to cultural pressure and yes to biblical truth. It means standing for holiness while extending grace to those fighting to live it. That's the tension of real faith.
**National Human Trafficking Hotline:** 1-888-373-7888
**Forced Marriage Initiative:** 1-844-537-2273
**National Domestic Violence Hotline:** 1-800-799-7233 Text BEGIN to 88788*
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**Next Episode Preview:**
Alicia makes her choice and faces the consequences. Cameron's father confronts the church about "brainwashing" his son. Maria's case goes to trial with shocking testimony. An ex-convict named James arrives angry and challenging everyone's faith. And Apostle Marcus's decision about the national sanctuary network brings unexpected opposition from within the church leadership.
**Coming Soon: Episode 14 - "The Cost of Conviction"