In the spring of the year 2000, Tom Burkes and his beautiful associate and sweetheart, Dustin Phillips, built the youth group of Bethany Community Church up from a mere handful of young people who were made to attend by their parents to a vibrant community force. Their success was driven by Tom's rebellious leadership style and his personal arrogance. When one of the meetings did not go as planned and gun shots were fired, the church took a stand, which Tom could not accept. With the help of Dustin and a leadership team, Tom conducted a protest which pushed some of the church leaders over the edge. After the battle with the church board, Tom retreated to the home of his longtime friend and mentor on the South Carolina coast. During this visit, Tom adjusted his theology and had a supernatural experience. While on the coast, Tom also had time alone and a very close encounter with his mentor's twenty three year old daughter. When he returned home the leadership team was waiting.