SONS OF SCEVA

THEME: A STRIPPER'S CLUB

It was a long walk from their house to the Christian Centre. Tony and Cole Sceva made their way to the first obvious door that led into the Church. Laying hands on sick people for healing was the calling of Richard Sceva, their late father. Prophesying was what he could do even in his sleep. Beckham town experienced a great revival when the young evangelist was posted by the Baptist convention to the middle town of the country. Tony recalled the moments his late father would lay hands on the heavy laden and made men's yoke so easy to draw behind with a finger tip. He once had followed his father to console a family who had just lost their Breadwinner, but that the Lord used Sceva to bring back the stinking corpse back to life. Anointing flowed like water down the stream in Sceva's time in the ministry the Lord gave unto him.

"Beckham town" kneeling at the pulpit, they cried loud, "We have come in the power and authority our father, Sceva. We will do more than he did; we will lay hands on the sick and they will become well, we will speak and demons will be casted out."

That day, at their father's altar they made a commitment and dedication to exert authority over the witches and wizards in Beckham town. A lot of ministers had been sent to Beckham town but none succeeded save Augustine Paul and Richard Sceva who shook Beckham and breathed peace upon the land. Sceva took over from Paul who ordained and anointed him to take after his work of healing and prophecy.

Would Tony and Cole, the sons of Sceva wrought miracles as their predecessors did? Did they really have the guts and anointing to do so? Would they be able to overpower the darkness that kept hovering over Beckham town?

Cleaning and arrangements were made in the first week. Ministry seemed so sweet in the first year. Laying hands on the sick seemed to them like being on Siwes; they enjoyed it. They were able to convene more people than Sceva did. Their fame and authority rose and reached the ends of the city. Things were going well for them and for the city until when the long patient principalities and powers and wicked spirits in Beckham received reinforcement and having had a great retreat.

"What do you mean, Cole? Mary's illness wouldn't stop?" disturbed, Tony said. He just drew a plastic chair near him when Kelvin rushed in, trembling. "Men of God!" he cried "have mercy on Leth, my brother. He's demon possessed."

Tony reached for his divine mantle while Cole, his anointed muffler. They reached the white building and entered the room where Leth was being chained. Tony beckoned Cole to his side as they neared the victim. "I casted you demon out in the name of Jesus whom Paul and Sceva, our father preached."

Leth's laughter made the two men of God looked stupid and incompetent for the task before them. "Really? A demon spoke through him, "to be sincere, I know Jesus and I know Paul. I am well acquainted with Sceva but I don't I know you guys and right now, I think you've just crossed your boundary"

The whole town heard about the news, fears gripped everyone and no one could ever trust the sons of Sceva for anything, not even a common headache.

Frustrated, confused, depressed, they were left alone. They became and looked incompetent at what they thought they had mastered. Only Tony and Cole observed services on Sundays at the Christian Centre for half a year. No one in all of Beckham would near the church for help.

"What do we do?" Cole asked silently, "as in, what next?"

Tony's silence was enough for Cole to understand as he dropped a magazine before Cole.

Cole stared at the pictures and commercial on the magazine for minutes before he faced Tony to utter some words. "You mean we should..."

Three years later...

"Yea" Tony replied "we need more pretty and young strippers here. Business have to move forward."

"Well" Dyale said, "you know that's not a problem for me. You will always get them in different sizes and colors." He adjusted his seat and extended some paper works to him, "as long as you pay me.' Tony briefly went through the documents before he signed twice on each page. The two men shook hands as they came into terms and agreements.

Cole turned the knob and walked in, merely interrupting with the men's discussion. "Hey" he said, "I'm sorry but Tony, you are needed out there. The clubbers are dying to dance to your romantic voice."

Handsome, and cool with pink lips, he grabbed one of the fair dancers who stripped him, revealing his six packs. His sweet angelic voice echoed from the stage which used to be their father's altar for revival.