Foreword
by Steve Bowers

This book originated with a radio show, “The Great All-American Into-The-Weekend Radio show” produced and aired live each Friday.

The show featured myself as on-air producer and host along with the comedic talents of George B. Scott and Susan Davie.  (Early years of the show included Reese (Gary Reese) along with other characters including Col. “Bull” Durham.

The objective: comedic relief at a News-Talk station as we blew off the week and prepared to enter the weekend.

The show contained news and information, but those elements were seasoning in a show designed to be fun. It was weekly banter, established comedy routines and music, including “Weekends” by Wet Willie.

In that format George B. introduced the setting and characters that emerged from the weekly edition of “Church News.” Church News highlighted the people and situations confronting Brother Jacob “T” Rastus. Those characters and settings evolved in every episode. (Can you use “evolved/evolution” in church news?)

The life travails of Brother Rastus became a show highlight as real situations received comedic presentation and reaction from the hosts and audience. You tuned in with anticipation to hear what was happening next in Brother Rastus’ world.

Anyone who worked with or was raised in a Southern rural church identifies with these people and situations.  The characters and situations are fiction and receive comedic treatment, but they are real.

This life has spiritual roots. Those spiritual roots bring challenges, and George Scott, through Brother Rastus, shows us the way!

Read on, Brother!