What are your initial impressions of Pastor B's mission at River Heights Church?

[Melisa Jane]

This is a discussion topic for the August 2025 Book of the Month, "Pastor B and the Haunted Church: A Christian Mystery Suspense" by Dorothy May Mercer

What are your initial impressions of Pastor B's mission at River Heights Church?

[Alida Spies]

It was supposed to be Pastor Burke's last pastorate before retirement, a restful assignment. The first hint to indicate it may well be different, was his meeting with the welcoming committee. It soon became clear that there were many issues to address. His way of doing things also contributed to a busy schedule.

[brandib092005]

My initial impression was that Pastor Burke was just going to be a warm body to keep watch over the place. He was just supposed to keep the lights on for groups and funerals and do a quick sermon on Sunday. The church was old and decaying, with no plans to restore it or repair it. They had mentioned the "haunted history" of the place , and given the pastor's reaction, I thought for sure, there would be multiple instances of supernatural activity right when he got to the church.

[ill]

At the beginning, just by looking at the cover, I even thought it was a book for kids; the ghost doesn't even look very scary to be a mystery suspense book. I did not have very high hopes for the book before reading it.

[Nancy Egop]

My initial impression? I think the book is funny, mysterious, and honestly, it feels eerie to me. Horror, maybe? I purchased a physical copy of the book from amazon. Can't wait to have my purchase delivered. I want to see the cover with my eyes. LoL.

[Ajay Tomar 4]

I seriously wanted to see some action, like Ghost seeing supernatural stuff right when he entered. It gives me goosebumps.

[Surabhi Rani]

My initial impression of Pastor B's mission at River Heights Church was that it involved the construction and maintenance of the church. I assumed that the book was based on the theme of architecture, and I guessed that it was a ghost story.

[Ayodele Sheba]

I was really expecting it to be a situation where we see Pastor B fighting against ghosts that haunt the Church, but it was way more beyond that.

[Aida Nuria Montenegro Jerez]

I got the impression that he was overly motivated by his mission in the church, while the parishioners were not entirely willing to change, no matter how much they desired a profound change in their church by attracting young people.

[Promise Kalu Odike]

At first, my impression was that Pastor B simply had a tough but noble task ahead, but as the story unfolded, my view deepened, it became clear that his role wasn’t just about saving a declining church, it was also about confronting hidden truths and guiding people through forgiveness, which made his mission feel even more meaningful.

[Seetha E]

My initial impression, based on the book's cover, the description, and sample pages, was that it was a read with a message, with a friendly ghost who was around to hand-hold the transfer of the church's daily affairs amid the changing times. Overall, a meaningful and relevant read.

[Martina Sette]

Pastor Burke had expected this final pastorate before retirement to be a peaceful one. But his initial encounter with the welcoming committee hinted otherwise. It quickly became apparent that numerous problems awaited his attention.

[Me Poor]

I'm just waiting for someone to suggest me this book. I'm currently reading a few books from my college course curriculum and I'll switch to OBC as soon as possible.

[Joy Kimanzi]

Pastor B's mission sounded simple and one needing little effort; in any case, this would be his last pending retirement. Although it may not look like it, Pastor B hits the road running, starting with visits to his congregants where they are found. This simple gesture, his friendly overtures and giving of his time slowly touch the hearts of many. The dying church is back, stronger than before.

[Amanda Collier]

My first impressions of Pastor B and the Haunted Church is that there is far more going on than Pastor Burke signed up for. As a last assignment before retiring, he is stepping into a contentious board, a stagnant congregation, and a bit of a mystery. He definitely has his work cut out for him.

As a first impression, the story does move a little slow. There is a heavy emphasis on the Pastor's inner workings with the church. It can be a bit repetitive, but I am sure it all adds to the story later.