Joshua, portrayed by Tony Goldwyn, arrives in the quiet town of Auburn and quietly begins to alter the lives of everyone he meets simply by being around them. The town, filled with small rituals and familiar faces, watches this enigmatic newcomer with a mix of curiosity and caution as he makes his presence felt in subtle, undeniable ways.
He settles into a barn he rents from Joan Casey, using it as both his home and a woodcarving shop. The building itself feels almost buoyant in his hands: the roof, which has long suffered from holes, surprisingly does not leak after Joshua moves in, a detail that many locals take as a sign or a mystery rather than a fluke. This small unexplainable phenomenon adds to the aura surrounding him and invites questions about who he is and what he intends to do with the space he inhabits.
As time passes, Joshua’s actions accumulate into a distinctive, almost ceremonial rhythm. He pulls a massive ash log—several people estimate its weight at well over 300 pounds—through town and out to his barn, drawing admiring gasps and whispered speculation from onlookers. The ash theme recurs in his work, culminating in a commission from Father Tordone to carve a statue of the Apostle Peter; Joshua insists the statue should be made of ash, claiming that he “knows Peter.” The local priest’s astonishment grows alongside his curiosity, and the sense that the town may be witnessing something beyond ordinary skill becomes stronger with every new encounter.
In the weeks that follow, Joshua leans into acts of service, offering practical help to those in need while inviting reciprocal kindness from the people he assists. His involvement with the Baptist Church—rebuilding it with the support of townsfolk who are eager to lend a hand—begins to knit a broader community around him. His approach to healing and restoration extends beyond physical structures; during a Tent Revival, he confronts a con artist who is swindling congregants by feigning divine healing. Joshua steps forward with a calm authority, challenging the deception and demonstrating genuine compassion for the vulnerable in the crowd.
The confrontation reaches into a moment of dramatic intervention: when a blind woman sits in the audience, Joshua performs a decisive act that restores her sight, underscoring the sense that something extraordinary is unfolding in Auburn. The moment lands with a mixture of awe and trepidation, reminding the town that miracles are not easily dismissed and may carry consequences as they ripple through everyday life.
Father Tordone’s suspicions intensify as the events unfold, pushing him to seek outside intervention and even to appeal to the Vatican for guidance. The stakes grow clearer as the Catholic Church becomes increasingly involved, particularly after Joshua performs a resurrection that jolts the community and forces religious authorities to take a closer look. That extraordinary act marks a turning point, convincing church leaders to invite Joshua to Rome to account for what is happening and to determine what, if anything, this powerful presence means for the wider world.
