Sam is raised on a North Carolina farm near a godly grandmother. He goes forward at age thirteen during revival but no one explains how to follow Christ. At fifteen he abandons godly efforts and drinks with friends. At seventeen he and a cousin leave home and don’t tell their parents for eight weeks. He is drafted, goes to the Korean War and when his girlfriend breaks their engagement, he drinks harder. His sergeant and captain warn him, and he promises God during a fierce artillery battle that he will live for Him. He doesn’t. He comes home, drinks too much and has an accident, then lives with his sister who is saved. He falls in love with Shirley, whose family he helps one day. Finally, he surrenders to Christ, marries Shirley and goes to Bible college. Still in ministry.