The Best Episodes Written By John Carcieri

While Jesse prepares for his initiation into a prestigious secret society, Judy fends off unwanted attention, and Kelvin handles rumors about Keefe. Later, Baby Billy makes an impossible promise.

Still reeling from their father’s revelation, Kelvin and Jesse conspire to put Eli in his place. As BJ’s baptism approaches, Judy clashes with her in-laws, while Baby Billy struggles with his own growing family.

After decades of animosity, tensions between the Montgomerys and the Gemstones finally come to a head. As Eli faces an impossible decision, Jesse, Judy, and Kelvin prepare to meet their maker.

1862. A young scoundrel named Gemstone joins ranks with the Confederates as a preacher, but a case of divine intervention changes the sinner's path for good.

While preparing for a Give-a-Thon in honor of their late mother, the Gemstones reunite with Aimee-Leigh's longtime best friend Lori.

After doubling-down on their efforts to invest in Zion’s Landing, Jesse and Amber scramble for the cash. Meanwhile, Eli’s attempts to dodge a big-city reporter spell doom for the Gemstones.

With Eli temporarily out of the picture, the Gemstone siblings are left to quarrel over who’s in charge – until some wise words help pave a way forward. As Tiffany tracks down Baby Billy, Gideon faces his future.

2000. After a Y2K doomsday fails to materialize, Eli and Aimee-Leigh find themselves flooded with criticism from their congregants…and the Montgomerys. Later, the arrival of Jesse’s girlfriend Amber throws an already fragile Judy for a loop.

After surviving a harrowing attack, Jesse takes matters into his own hands. Eli attempts to make amends, while Kelvin struggles to control his flock.

While the Gemstones celebrate the launch of Zion’s Landing, Baby Billy faces a chance to embrace fatherhood.

Christmas, 1993. While Eli considers a tempting offer from an old friend, Baby Billy crashes the Gemstones’ celebrations.

In the wake of their father’s semi-retirement, Jesse, Judy, and Kelvin must deal with dwindling attendance – and donations. Later, Eli is visited by another figure from his past.

Eli does his best to smooth over relations with the Montgomery boys after a visit to their doomsday prepper compound. Back at the Salvation Center, the siblings face off against the Board of Ministers.

When their archrivals encroach on Gemstone territory, Jesse prepares to strike back, while Kelvin receives an honor.

Russell’s birthday bash is marred by a revelation about his wife’s college boyfriend.

Gamby and Russell look to finish what they started; Gamby confronts Amanda about her relationship with Hayden.

Gamby fingers a suspect, with Dayshawn’s help. Russell tests out a kindness strategy at school.

Aimee-Leigh's elderly brother Baby Billy returns to the Gemstone ministry, bringing along his much younger wife Tiffany. Jesse closes ranks on his co-conspirators to root out the identity of his blackmailers.

Recovering from his wounds, Gamby returns to a dramatically changed North Jackson High.

Gamby’s search for his shooter leads him into a novelist’s graduate-school class. Russell’s ire is fueled by an unflattering caricature.

A death in Russell’s family forces Gamby to step up to the plate as North Jackson’s acting principal.

The school year comes to a startling end.

Eli questions his children's future in the Gemstone ministry. Jesse struggles to keep his marriage together. Judy opens up to BJ about her past. A disillusioned Kelvin embraces his dark side. Season One Finale.

Judy and Martin take Gideon behind-the scenes of the Gemstone enterprise. Eli tasks Kelvin with doing a “satanic sweep” for Dot, the rebellious teen daughter of the church’s biggest donors. Jesse and his friends are thrown for a loop when Chad’s wife finds some disturbing emails.

In 1989, young Jesse, Judy and Baby Billy each deal with the news that Aimee-Leigh is pregnant in their own unique way, while Eli looks to grow his family’s prospects.