The Ambition by Lee Strobel

Eric Snow was a very successful software entrepreneur who cashed out at the right time. Then he felt the call of God on his life and he started Diamond Point Fellowship. The church's popularity has mushroomed and Eric is a very successful pastor.
But he begins to wonder if what he is doing is all he can do. Wouldn't he have more influence to see God's agenda brought to pass if he went into politics? A senator from his state is soon to be indicted for tax evasion and the governor is talking of appointing Eric to the remaining term. But appointing a pastor might not be so good for the governor's future so he asks Eric to resign from the church. Appointing an ex-pastor sounds much better.
Right at the time Eric is considering what he should do, two miracles happen in his church during the elder prayer meetings. The associate pastor is convinced God is moving in the church, a sign that Eric should stay with the church as it becomes more influential within their community.
Garry Strider is a newspaper reporter. His girl friend has just moved out because she goes to Diamond Point and now is convinced living together is not right. Strider sets his sights on Diamond Point. He wants to find some dirt.
Add to the mix a corrupt judge who is in the hands of the mob. He turns out to be the rival prospect for the senator's replacement.

You can tell as you read through the book that Lee Strobel is an apologist. Several of the dialogues contain declarations of evidence for the faith. The dialogues are well done, however. They do not appear to be staged, just to add information.

This book explores the role of the church in community and politics and whether one should put one's faith in politics to further God's agenda. There is also an interesting dilemma the church faces when miracles begin to happen. Not wanting to look like a crack pot church, the staff is initially hesitant to admit to true miracles. What does a church do when God acts in an “embarrassing” way? 

This was a well done fiction debut for Strobel. I'll be watching for his next one.

Zondervan, 288 pages.