The Pastor

The Pastor follows two brothers growing up in Kentucky right before World War II, who go through a spiritual awakening that will affect the rest of their lives. The youngest brother, Elmer, is blessed by God with the spirit of faith healing. His family suffers a tragedy with the death of their patriarch. During this terrible time, the town's dynamic new pastor arrives. It is then that Elmer's gift of healing is unlocked. Pastor Hurst takes Elmer with him on spiritual missions and the two become a formidable team of healers. When Pearl Harbor breaks out, the eldest brother, Josiah, heeds a calling to join the war effort. He becomes a fighter pilot in England shortly after the Battle of Britain. Elmer stays behind to continue his work with Pastor Hurst. Josiah's plane is shot down. He is captured and interned at a German prison camp in eastern Prussia. Elmer also wants to go to war and argues with the pastor, who wants him to stay home and continue God's work. Elmer departs for boot camp and becomes a door gunner on a B-17. But he too is shot down and ends up at the same prison camp as his brother. The camp commandant's senior guard, known as the "Mad German," learns of Elmer's healing powers and pleads for help to heal his son, who has polio. Elmer agrees and uses what little strength he has. The two brothers match their faith and strength of will against all the odds facing them. Will their faith in God be enough to survive?J. Anson Brandes is retired from law enforcement and lives in Delaware. This is his third novel. Publisher's website: http: //sbpra.com/JAnsonBrandes