James "JE" Thomas hadn't thought much about his classes-or God-before his classroom at the University of Missouri in Columbia was stormed by armed gunmen. As they murdered anyone Christian, JE's guilt at denying his faith was assuaged by the comfort of Pearl-a classmate he'd noticed, but hadn't met.Realizing how much they had in common-including their attraction to each other-Pearl and JE developed a love like neither had ever felt. Along the way, Pearl and her family even reignited JE's love for the church they had both grown up in.As the twists and turns of life come at JE and Pearl, scandal and divisiveness force them out of the church they love. When someone threatens their daughter, the call of God takes them halfway around the world into an unknown life.Will they be able to return home? And-if they do-will they come home as a family? With almost-legendary family history to live up to, JE shoulders the weight of the world to do what's right-and is changed forever in the bargain.