THE PRESENCE BY T. DAVIS BUNN

THE PRESENCE by DAVIS BUNN is the story of what happens when a man is totally obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit in his life.  
T.J. Case has the support of his wife Catherine, and his best friend Jeremy Hughes, when, after a vision where he feels the Presence of the Lord very strongly, he is led to leave his law practice and go to Washington.  He is asked to come to Washington by congressman Silverwood, to work on the government's education policy.  Silverman is very ambitious and feels that having a black man who is a Republican there will further his cause. T.J has been in politics before, having run as a Republican candidate, without success, and is passionate about children's education, especially wanting government to have a programme for gifted children.  He is even more passionate about Christian parents having the right to choose Christian education for their children, and wants the government to subsidize this.  He becomes unpopular when he speaks on television about his ideas for education, and is adamant that the people of America, especially those in government, need to turn to God for the answers to the problems the country is facing.  He has also started a Bible study before work each morning, beginning with one person, Bella Saunders, the numbers rising quickly to about five hundred.  Most of the people in the office want nothing to do with him and his strange ideas, but he is well supported by John Nakamashi and two young girls who work for him who are committed Christians themselves. They feel it is an honour to be involved in the Lord's work. 
T.J. is called before the president who is about to fire him for giving interviews without permission, but T.J. is given a prophetic word from the Lord which he delivers to the president, who is struck dumb!
Jeremy is a humble man and he comes to Washington as T.J.'s servant.  He is a white man with not much education, but who has become rich through hard work.  T.J. was his lawyer and gave him good advice and they came to trust one another, both being strong believers. He becomes involved in the Community of Hope where he uses his entrepreneurial skills and his money to rebuild the dilapidated apartment buildings in the area.  Catherine becomes involved with the poor and abused children.  With the help of Senator Atterly, a committed Christian and faithful member of the morning prayer group, dishonesty in the awarding of building contracts in the area is uncovered and the Community of Hope gets even more contracts than they had originally tendered for.  
This is T. Davis Bunn's first novel and it really is worth reading.  There is so much truth in this book, it is filled with Scripture that is so relevant in this day and age, and the way in which T.J. humbly allows himself to be led by the Presence of the Holy Spirit in his life, even in the face of danger, is beautifully portrayed.  Love and loyalty, honesty, commitment and obedience are some of the subjects that are brought to light.  I can highly recommend this book.