Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.

Pastor Lee-Curtis Childs and his wife, First Lady Trinitie Childs, once led the thriving Southern Baptist megachurch, Wander to Greater Paths, attracting a massive congregation and accumulating significant wealth. However, a scandal erupted when Lee-Curtis was implicated in seducing at-risk young men, a stark contradiction to his previous preaching against same-sex relationships. This turmoil resulted in a heavy backlash and a rapid decline in their church’s attendance, forcing the Childs to shutter their doors. Fast forward a year, the couple decides to hire a documentary crew to capture their efforts to resurrect their church just in time for Easter Sunday. As they strive to present themselves as honorable individuals, the cameras capture their extravagant lifestyle, showcasing their lavish designer wardrobes and even a whimsical fountain at the church.

Additionally, a pastoral pair, Keon and Shakura Sumpter, are also eyeing an Easter Sunday opening for their new church, Heaven’s Home. They openly acknowledge the Childs as their inspiration and have done well in attracting former congregants to their new sermons. The “devout five,” a loyal group of congregants who still support Lee-Curtis, refuse to believe the accusations against him, and they continue to participate in his Wednesday sermons, even amidst a baptism blunder.

During a shopping excursion, Trinitie encounters a former congregant who subtly pokes fun at her, revealing plans to join Heaven’s Home on Easter, along with other previous members of Wander to Greater Paths. The couple later learns from their lawyer that they are facing impending settlements with the young men involved in the scandal; however, one refuses to accept any offer. In a somewhat awkward encounter, Lee-Curtis offers Basil, the sound technician for the documentary, a chance to do audio-visual work for their church while also making an unwelcome advance. Basil politely declines, stating he is in a relationship.

Determined to reschedule the Sumpters’ church opening, the Childs pay them a visit. Despite their friendly attempts, the Sumpters remain steadfast in their plans. In retaliation, Lee-Curtis intensifies efforts to reopen their church two weeks prior to Easter, enlisting Trinitie to wave an advertisement sign on the street. He encourages her to “shake it for the Lord” to draw more attention from passersby. Unfortunately, during this publicity stunt, Trinitie faces harassment from bystanders who criticize their actions. Meanwhile, Lee-Curtis has a surprising reunion with a former congregant who has recently been released from prison.

In an unconventional attempt to attract attention, Lee-Curtis has Trinitie don white mime makeup for a “worship mime” performance meant to enhance their visibility on the street. This leads to a chaotic scene with a car blocking traffic, only for its passenger, Khalil, to be revealed as the victim who refuses the settlement. Initially appearing upset, he soon mocks Lee-Curtis for his desperate attempts to rehabilitate his image. This confrontation drives Trinitie to retreat to the church, where she expresses her frustrations about their strained marriage and the loss of their congregants’ support following the scandal. During an interview, the documentary director, Anita Bonet, probes Trinitie on why she stays with Lee-Curtis; Trinitie brushes off the question, casting doubt on the director’s true intentions for the documentary.

As the church reopens according to their hurried timeline, the couple waits eagerly for attendees, but only the “devout five” show up. Just when it seems all hope is lost, a Mustang zooms into the parking lot before abruptly pulling away. The revelation arrives that the Sumpters have likewise advanced their opening date to two weeks before Easter, skillfully stealing the spotlight meant for the Childs and successfully drawing in a large new following.

Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 16:33