The Black Robed Regiment: Legends of Liberty, #3

By Marvin McKenzie

This is ta fictional series framed around the War for American Independence. The Black Robed Regiment was the unofficial title for those pastors who left their pastoral duties, for a time, to serve as chaplains in the war. This series spins off of that and builds a story around Pastor Billy Stonecipher. The series is based on my limited knowledge of the period, my imagination and the help of ChatGPT 3.5, Filmora 13 and DiffusionBee for graphics.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marvin McKenzie
• Release date: Jan 3, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224897612

Marvin McKenzie

Pastor Marvin McKenzie was saved at the age of eighteen. He has planted and pastored churches in Washington and Oregon. Involved in planting 10 churches[1] Executive Vice President of Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College, San Dimas, CA[2] and then Heartland Baptist Bible College, OKC OK.  Pastor of Bible Baptist Church in Puyallup, WA 19 years (December 1999-present) Celebrated 35th anniversary of ordination December 29, 2018 Published 65 books relating to Bible Study, Baptist History and Devotionals   Marvin and Anita have two sons; both serve in Baptist churches in Washington State. [1] I was a founding member of two of them, the co-founder of one, founder of one and sent men out of our church to plant the others. [2] I negotiated the sale of the PCBBC campus previous to the college’s move to OKC. I served as the first EVP at Heartland.

Book preview

By Marvin McKenzie

Created from my limited understanding of the times, my imagination and the help of ChatGPT 3.5, DiffusionBee

Chapter 1: A Call to Arms

In the coastal embrace of Harborhaven, where the salty breeze carried echoes of whispered prayers and seafaring tales, Billy Stonecipher's odyssey began. The Rhode Island town, shaped by the robust values of Baptists, served as the backdrop for a journey that would weave faith, conflict, and destiny into the tapestry of his life.

The Stonecipher household, nestled in the heart of this close-knit community, was a haven where faith stood as the unyielding cornerstone. The warm glow of love and the unwavering light of the local Baptist church bathed Billy's upbringing. Wooden pews echoed with hymns, and the Stonecipher family, deeply rooted in the teachings of the church, embraced a life anchored in these values.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the Rhode Island sky with hues of orange and pink, the Stonecipher home transformed into a sanctuary. Fervent prayers and spirited discussions echoed within its walls, creating an atmosphere where young Billy found both comfort and purpose.

It was during a revival, amidst the flickering glow of candlelight in the hallowed halls of the Harborhaven Baptist church, that Billy Stonecipher underwent a profound spiritual awakening. The preacher's words reverberated, piercing the hearts of the congregation with fervor. As he grappled with the profound questions of life's purpose, Billy felt the transformative touch of salvation setting his soul ablaze.

Yet, with this divine calling, an internal conflict unfurled. The pulpit and pastoral robes beckoned, representing the traditional path laid out for a Baptist pastor. However, alongside this calling, there was a distant, higher purpose summoning Billy—a calling to serve beyond the confines of the conventional.

Set against the historical backdrop of the Revolutionary War, as the fervor for independence swept through the colonies, tensions escalated, and the patriotic flames reached the shores of Rhode Island. In the midst of this tumultuous period, the concept of the Black Robed Regiment began to take shape.

Pastor Billy Stonecipher, torn between the