Rayford Steele

Rayford is a commercial airline pilot in his early forties. He has had a successful career, but has not been true to his Christian faith. At the time of the Rapture, Rayford is contemplating an affair with a flight attendant, Hattie Durham. He is overcome with remorse and grief, especially when he discovers that his wife and son are gone. From the beginning, Rayford is sure the disappearances are a result of Christ's Rapture. He quickly becomes a proponent of the Christian faith and begins to devour the Scripture for answers of times to come. Through his new friendship with the pastor at New Hope Village Church, Bruce Barnes, Rayford becomes one of the first members of the core prayer group Bruce is putting together called the Tribulation Force.

Rayford overcomes issues of guilt and regret as he emerges as a born-again Christian. Not only does he...