Come Running [Season 1 Completed]

Chapter 33

The Afro Praise web page was bustling with activities and Jason and Jael were so busy organising the page.
The #AfroPraiseforJesus#Repent went viral. They could barely keep up with it.

Chloe, Carrie and Bryson spent countless hours getting back to new believers who had just received Christ during the 'Harvest' as Dad loves to call it.

Elijah spent a lot of time with Jayla and Kaiden organizing each day's event. The more he got to know Jayla, the more beautiful she became in his eyes.
He wasn't blind and could tell Kaiden was also fighting for her attention and though he didn't aim at ruining his growing friendship with Kaiden, he wasn't letting go of this chase anytime soon because he felt in his spirit that there were no red flags.

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The last day was a service at the Afro Praise auditorium. Elijah, Jayla and Kaiden saw to it that everything was in order before the service begins in an hour and half.
When everything seemed done. Elijah walked up to her.
"Hey... wanna grab a quick dinner?"
"Err.... I kinda made plans with Kaiden. Maybe next time." Kaiden emerged and put a hand over Jayla almost possessively.
"Sure" was all Elijah could mutter.

The two strolled to Kaiden's Austin Martin One-77
"Any place in mind."
"I'm not going to answer because I know you already have somewhere in mind."
Kaiden chuckled and reversed from the slot.

Kaiden drove to the Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive In. It was a drive in movie theatre. Jason let on that it had been one of Jayla favourite places growing up in Austin so what better place.
He noticed her face lighten up as they found a spot.

"How did you even know about this place?"
"I have my sources."
A waiter approach them.
"Oh-oh you've got to try their hotdogs and they've got the best popcorn flavoring."
"Sure..." he motioned her to place the order
"I'll have some of your classic butter and salt popcorn with soda."
"I'll have anything the lady's having."

Kaiden reached for Jayla's hand as the movie began and held on it throughout the movie. She flinched at the beginning but calmed under his touch.
The movie was great. The snacks too.

As the movie ended and cars pulled out of the theatre, Kaiden broke the silence that engulfed them.
"I'm moving on to study Neuroscience as a graduate program."
"What? Why?"
"Someone looks disturbed." Kaiden joked but Jayla remained serious so he got the heart of the issue.
"I applied to study Neuroscience as a graduate student but since I had no background in science, I was put on a one year Neuroscience undergraduate program. I dreaded private tuition so I opted for an undergraduate class. "

Jayla fell mute. She didn't know if she could get used to not seeing Kaiden everyday at college. It was something she looked forward to each day.

Kaiden noticed her sudden switch in moods and gently rubbed the back of her palm.
"No worries petal. I'll make sure you can always catch a glimpse of my beautiful face." He feigned cockiness and she chuckled.

They drove back to the Afro Praise center. They still had about ten minutes before the program commenced. They found Elijah and delved into make a few finishing touches before it officially began.

Jeremy Carlson spoke on the theme, "Preach to all nations" But centred it on Love.

"In John 21, Jesus asked Peter the same question he's asking you today. 'Do you love me? '

"A lot of us gathered here today are searching for the truth... some of us have found it and are living in it, others probably can't come to terms with it- you don't want to accept it. But the truth is... we're all yearning for love and that love is God.

"When I found God, I found fulfillment- I found love that satisfied my insatiable human heart. It broke boundaries and set limits no other love could reach.
Before that pulpit in that hospital, I let go of everything and said, 'Lord, I surrender my life to you. Have Your way."

"And at a moment like this for most of you new believers, I had an unquenchable surge of desire rush through my veins. I felt the Holy Spirit take over my whole being and I longed for nothing more than to express the love I received freely."

"Amid constant prayers and meditation, I asked the Holy Spirit one night, 'How can I express my love for You? And he said, 'I present you an opportunity each day with every stranger on the street."

"So today, I put to you the Great Commission. Go out of this auditorium tonight and preach to all nations, spread the love you just received.
Cause some rejoicing in heaven! Put a smile on the Father's face! "

"Feed His lambs. Tend His sheep. Feed His Sheep.
Shepherd His People!"