Pillars is about four men friends since childhood that establish a ministry for the sole purpose of generating exorbitant salaries for themselves. The focal point of the ministry is its pastor, Victor Swain. Victor is a bold, charismatic marketing professional for a large corporation that has been an avowed atheist throughout his adult life. Victor is a glutton for power and attention and concocts the ministry as a followthrough on a drunken wager that he has made with his three best friends during a camping excursion. While Victor serves as the voice and the face of the ministry, James Addison is the creative authority that writes all of Victors sermons; and scripts his public appearances as well. At the outset of the story, James is the only devout Christian among the group. However, as an underachiever in a life that has lost its forward momentum, James longs for the opportunity to display his latent talents and help himself to rise above his lifelong mediocrity. Though he fights vehemently against the scheme at first, James eventually succumbs to the lure of money and success and agrees to be Victors sidekick. Brett Hanson is the driving force that pushes the ministry into business as the perceived antidote for his personal financial crisis and failing marriage. Brett was involved in an accident as a young man that resulted in his having to serve jail time and also brought overwhelming financial judgments against him. Brett is desperate for the ministry to succeed in order to pay off his debts and bring his family back together. Though not devout at first, Brett has a feel for God but is uncertain what he wants or how to find it. Chris Mayers is a happygolucky sort who goes along with the scheme just because he wants to be wherever the party is. Chris has no strong religious leanings one way or the other and soon wants out of the ministry. However, Chris repeated attempts at escaping are always thwarted by Victor who constantly exercises his formidable powers of manipulation over him. The ministry rises to prominence using business and marketing techniques, twisting of Scriptures, gaudy theatrics and publicity generated by the swirling controversies that they are able to provoke. At the threshold of realizing their main goal a nationally televised ministry they are befallen by a tragic event that stops them dead in their tracks. Hoping to quickly regain what theyve lost, they stage a ridiculous production that results in tragic consequences and brings the ministry to its end. While the novel clearly defines business enterprises where false leaders pretend to serve God for personal gain, it also recognizes true Christianity and stands as a warning to be on guard against wolves in sheeps clothing. Biblical literacy is encouraged as the Churchs best defense against those who would prey on Gods people. The setting for the story is Jackson, TN and covers the time period of 1996 2006.