Brian Rush McDonald became a Jesus freak in the 70s in Alabama and then immersed himself in the dogma of Christian fundamentalism at Bob Jones University. Even though he felt anxious about unsaved souls facing eternal damnation, he became a youth and music minister, married his high school sweetheart, and became a father to three children. He took his family to Taiwan where he became a missionary, experienced a different culture, learned Mandarin and broadened his life outlook. They returned to America and McDonald became a pastor for Chinese American churches while he pursued a Ph.D. from The College of William & Mary. After 30 years of preaching, McDonald walked away from the pulpit to pursue a different path. THE LONG SURRENDER is a riveting memoir about losing religion to find freedom.