New York Pastor Clint Winwood is still trying to recover from tragedy after losing his wife and young children in a murder/suicide when Reverend Hickory Peck invites him to rural Alabama. Reverend Peck is having troubles of his own. His associate pastor, Reverend Lamar Wilks, is outshining Peck by holding theatrical healing meetings and revivals. Peck feels his leadership and standing in the community are threatened.
When a battle erupts between a group of poor black farmers and rich white planters, the stakes are raised even higher. Pastor Winwood witnesses nasty church intrigue and shocking racist incidents. The love he finds with a modest schoolteacher might be his only relief from all the turmoil. Only a holy quest for the truth can prevent bloodshed in the crisis that is brewing in this conservative, Deep South town.