Broken people. Hurting people. Broken lives. Although several scenarios are realistically portrayed in this series, such as a woman dealing with an abusive boyfriend, another woman who is trying to start a new life despite a history of prostitution and drug abuse, and others, this series offers hope through following Christ.
The acting is solid throughout, and the actor who plays Pastor JJ Childs, Keith L. Johnson, is excellent, as is Ebony Taylor, who portrays his wife, Toya. The story is set in both Pastor JJ’s church, Second Street Church, as well as on the streets and in houses in Jackson, Tennessee.
The first of eight episodes opens with Pastor JJ’s narration: “Shame is a prison. I’ve been there once or twice.” He goes on to describe shame as something that will “paralyze you.” He likens it to a headlock. He speaks of being addicted to porn and how even the Apostle Paul once persecuted Christians. But then he speaks of the power of repentance, as related in Acts 3:19: “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”
Suspenseful music begins during the opening credits, and the music is fitting throughout, including moments of some spiritual and lively gospel songs. The opening episode features a man who drinks strong alcohol and is verbally abusive toward his girlfriend and their young daughter. Also featured is a woman who prays for her son, Dante. He’s on the streets a lot and immediately a question looms regarding him when he is shot. He is rushed to the hospital. Will he live? In addition, the pastor’s teen son, Zeke (Short for Ezekiel), didn’t make it to church that Sunday morning and there is tension between Pastor JJ and him. He tells his dad that he overslept and he’s sure God will forgive him for missing once.
A bit of humor is peppered in the series here and there, such as when Pastor JJ momentarily raises his voice with Toya, and he immediately apologizes and says he wants to make it right. She humorously says he can start with chocolate! But make no mistake, this series also shows the ugly side of human nature including those who use drugs, and one woman who used to be a prostitute. It is a gritty yet hopeful story, with each episode including both pain and faith and optimism.
Included in the episode is a man named Larry (Jay Carlock) who lost his wife and meets a woman he connects with, but will his grief and memories of his lost love keep him from moving forward?
In the second episode, Dante’s mom finds the wounded Dante, and he is lifted by helicopter to the closest hospital. Will he survive? A lady named Erica (Sherika Woodard) struggles with being laid off from work and then learning her rent is being raised. She feels as if God hates her but Toya, the “first lady” of the church, encourages her that despite trials and her faith being tried, that she will gain patience and God will be with her. She says God is “preparing her” and to not let anything take away her faith. “You don’t have to face life alone,” she tells Erica, and then she hugs her.
Larry meets a woman named Ashley on the side of the road when he stops to help her change a flat tire. Pastor JJ feels “led” to go fishing even though he’s not much of a fisherman, and he gets a chance to witness to a man named Nick, who says “life sucks.” Pastor JJ reminds him of a passage in the book of Isaiah that says God will not forget him.
In episode three, Pastor JJ preaches about the pandemic and COVID, and how it challenged people both physically and spiritually. He hits home the truth that many people watched services online but continued to do so and the sense of “community” was lost. He quotes Hebrews 10:24 about spurring one another on to persevere in the faith journey. And things escalate when Chad (John Dylan Atkins) pulls off a belt, intent on using it on his daughter Ava (Abigail Wallace), and Deanna (Madalyn B. Woods) warns him not to. “I hate him,” Ava tells her mother a bit later. It’s this kind of drama that is portrayed, realistically, throughout the 8-episode series.
Hope is embraced in episode four when Dante wakes up from being shot, in the hospital, and asks for Pastor JJ who was away with his wife for a break during the weekend. When Dante asks for him, however, Pastor JJ leaves to visit him. Toya talks Deanna into visiting the church and Pastor JJ prays for Dante before he undergoes a critical operation. The realism of the series continues with Chad driving to the store even though he recently lost his driver’s license. During an argument Chad grabbed Deanna by the face, and he winds up passing out on the couch.
In episode five, Toya leads a service in which she encourages the people who have attended to share from their hearts regarding their struggles. And she states there will be “no judgment.” Pastor JJ even shares that he has struggled with anger at times. He was raised by his grandmother and, if his mother would have had the money, he says she would have aborted him. He even shares an amazing story of having dealt drugs but was finally arrested and set on the right path. He tells the tragic story of seeing a woman bound by drugs who was willing to give up her daughter for sex to obtain drugs.
These episodes always leave the viewer wondering, “How will this work out? How will this character come out of this?” That is one of the strengths of the story, its suspenseful plots. We learn what happened to Larry’s wife, and how she died, and it’s a story of pain and loss.
In episode six, the idea of giving to God’s work joyfully is explored and the issue of slavery and how it has affected families of the past. Pastor JJ speaks of how God used Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery and Egyptian bondage. And he explains to Dante the difference between the Islam faith and Christianity and how the Bible is a unified book despite having 40 authors.
In a funny scene we see that Toya’s daughter has eaten her mom’s fruit dish which was stored in the refrigerator even though Toya was planning on it herself after fasting. It’s a comedic scene. Deanna and Ava leave the house when Chad is asleep after another drinking binge.
In episode seven, Larry struggles with dreams about his dead wife and talks to the pastor. Is he being tormented from the past since Ashely has entered his life? Could Ashley be in his future? The pastor speaks about the harm that fear can cause.
In the final episode, the stories begin to wrap up. What will happen to Deanna and Ava? And will Chad pay for his violent behavior? Do Zeke and Pastor JJ make peace? What becomes of Dante? Will he be released from the hospital? Does he become a believer in Christ? What about Erica? Will she beat the demon of drugs in her life?
Pastor JJ doesn’t hold back at the end as he preaches on Christ and the cross and how He took our sins “to the cross.” And there are people who respond and pray at the altar.
Content Analysis: There is a strong Christian worldview throughout this series. Pastor JJ preaches sermons that encourage the listener to look to Christ. Although people struggle, those who trust the Lord and keep their faith move forward. A few characters say, “Thank you, Lord.” Included are several church scenes, including close-ups of the cross, and scenes of people praying.
Think About It: Several important topics are tackled, such as people dealing drugs and who are bound by drugs, prostitution, the heartaches of what drinking and drunkenness can do, domestic violence, and moving forward after experiencing grief. A couple argues with one another several times. It’s stated a woman’s husband committed suicide and she is still dealing with grief. Parents can guide their children, 12 years of age, and above, about making wise decisions and what to do when life has knocked them down or they have made bad choices.
The Dove Take: This wonderful and realistic series features strong performances from the actors, and a theme of hope despite various characters facing overwhelming odds. It is a powerful series! It can change lives! It’s rooted in the gospel and the foundation of the Old Testament. We recommend the series for those ages 12 and above.
