(2 of 2)
This promise of resurrection inspired new devotion in the church's sober flock of about 70 auto workers, teachers, small businessmen and housewives. They recruited ten new believers and expanded the church parking lot to handle the overflow crowds they expect when Gill returns. Since last August, especially devout members have been honored by appointment to a corps that keeps a prayer vigil in the church 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to await Gill's resurrection.
Meanwhile, preaching and pastoring are handled by two disciples who work on the General Motors line. At first the leaders expected Gill's resurrection immediately. Disappointed, they found the reason for Gill's tardiness in the church members' failure to achieve "sinless perfection"; the members bow their heads meekly during tirades on this theme at weekly worship. The congregation's faith is summed up by one of the interim preachers, Viet Nam Veteran Rod Greene, 28, who says the idea that Gill "will not return is not a possibility to me. If it takes five or ten years, I will still be here."
* To some interpreters, the "latter" or springtime rain cited by several Old Testament prophets symbolizes the period prior to the Second Coming.