John Cobb comes from a blue collar, Fundamentalist home in Georgia. As a teenager in 1960's Georgia, his background seems a handicap that suggests little chance for great success in his life. His family and friends seek to put him on their chosen path to become a preacher. But John meets Sarah Clark, who shows him love and that he has potential for more in his life. Sarah's influence opens John's eyes to the smallness and bigotry of his background. Unfortunately the changes in John come at a price and cause a backlash that these star crossed lovers do not expect as a holy war is declared on Sarah. John loses Sarah and his own way, becoming destructive to himself and to others. Life takes him to new places and he becomes a man very different from the teenager he was. He is successful, moving far from his earlier background. Yet, dark times overwhelm him and when the light again comes, he finds that he must sacrifice everything to find what his heart desires most, Sarah.