Acknowledgments  ix

1. Adam  1

2. Orientation  5

3. Reorientation  27

4. Stepping Off the Curb  45

5. A Pastor Again  95

6. Covenant Ceremony  115

7. Hell Breaks Loose  125

8. Under Siege  147

9. Pretrial  183

10. The Church on Trial  207

11. Aftershock  255

12. New Challenges  283

13. Blessing Withdrawn  311

14. Epilogue  331

Notes  341

Bibliography  351

Index  355

“Eleven years in the making, the author’s valiant, first-person narrative examines the conundrum of religion vs. reason. . . . An inspirational example of unbiased humanitarianism.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Essential reading for gay and lesbian Christians and other LGBT readers, Creech’s memoir should serve as an important case study for pastors and denominations reexamining their stance toward sexual minorities.”—Library Journal

“’Hero’ is an overused word in our vocabulary today. When I think of heroes, I think of men and women who've risked everything for a cause they believed in, not for pay, not because they were conscripted, and not because it was popular, but because — despite the public ridicule and the certainty that what they were doing would cost them dearly — they followed their conscience. Or in the case of Jimmy Creech, followed their understanding of what Christianity was all about. . . . If you don't know Creech's story, or even if you do — and many in Raleigh will remember some of it — the book is a page-turner from the day Creech arrives in Nebraska to the guilty verdict that sends him back to North Carolina. . . .Great book.”—Bob Geary, Independent Weekly

“Creech’s detailed dissection of deep-rooted anti-gay attitudes, intensely personal and spiritually impassioned, honors a remarkable straight ally.”—Richard Labonte, Book Marks

“With often rich, always empathetic prose, Creech proves to be a pastor — who honors the minds but challenges the ideas — to a large and varied flock of readers.”—Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

“Eleven years in the making, the author’s valiant, first-person narrative examines the conundrum of religion vs. reason. . . . An inspirational example of unbiased humanitarianism.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Essential reading for gay and lesbian Christians and other LGBT readers, Creech’s memoir should serve as an important case study for pastors and denominations reexamining their stance toward sexual minorities.”—Library Journal

“’Hero’ is an overused word in our vocabulary today. When I think of heroes, I think of men and women who've risked everything for a cause they believed in, not for pay, not because they were conscripted, and not because it was popular, but because — despite the public ridicule and the certainty that what they were doing would cost them dearly — they followed their conscience. Or in the case of Jimmy Creech, followed their understanding of what Christianity was all about. . . . If you don't know Creech's story, or even if you do — and many in Raleigh will remember some of it — the book is a page-turner from the day Creech arrives in Nebraska to the guilty verdict that sends him back to North Carolina. . . .Great book.”—Bob Geary, Independent Weekly

“Creech’s detailed dissection of deep-rooted anti-gay attitudes, intensely personal and spiritually impassioned, honors a remarkable straight ally.”—Richard Labonte, Book Marks

“With often rich, always empathetic prose, Creech proves to be a pastor — who honors the minds but challenges the ideas — to a large and varied flock of readers.”—Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

“Jimmy Creech is a man who puts his life where his Gospel is! His amazing journey, as told in his memoir, is the story of a follower of Christ who, like Christ, risked his own life and ministry for the sake of the marginalized and scorned. The LGBT community will forever owe him a debt for his sacrifice and his witness to the love of God for ALL of God’s children.”—Bishop Gene Robinson, Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire

“I would like to express a deep debt of gratitude to Jimmy Creech. He perceived what God is up to and then had the courage to act on his conviction, no matter what the price was to himself. Thank God for the prophets in our midst. May God give us the courage to emulate them!”—Reverend John McNeil

“Adam’s Gift is not simply the dramatic, true story of one man’s courageous and sacrificial stand against denominational practices that lead to the denial of full inclusion for lesbians and gays. It is also an intimate and powerful look at the current struggle between the forces of light and dark for the heart and soul of the Christian church.”—Reverend Dr. Mel White

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