Set in the peak of the 1960s Civil Rights movement, Paul's Promise is the inspiring true story of Paul Holderfield, a former racist firefighter who became a pastor, starting one of the first integrated churches in the American South. It’s one man’s journey to hope and healing during a troubled time in USA history.
Paul Holderfield was raised poor and knew what it was like to go to bed hungry. At night he would hear his mother pray for food for her children. In the 1950’s, during the Little Rock Central High School crisis, Holderfield is a North Little Rock fireman. He turns his back on a Black man, hoping he will not recognise him, but he does. His childhood best friend Jimmy Lipkin approaches Paul for a handshake, but Holderfield puts his hands in his back pockets and refuses to shake Lipkin’s hand. Later convicted by his actions, Holderfield tells his wife Barbara that he will never again treat a human being that way.
Ultimately he makes a decision to serve God and stand up to injustice. His story is one that continues to make a huge impact on the community to this day.