The God Squad is a group of fitness-focused Christian men, led by Kelvin Gemstone. It's inspired (per Adam Devine) by John Jacobs' Power Team fitness ministry from Texas.
Purpose & Members[]
Kelvin hopes to live out his Messiah fantasies with the God Squad as his muscle after leaving the Youth Ministry. Keefe Chambers is Kelvin's #2 man, leading the Squad on their various missions at Kelvin's direction. Kelvin's siblings and father both believe this project to be a pipedream, as there is no clear direction as to what Kelvin is actually doing with the squad. They live on Kelvin's property, where they cultivate crops and build Christian-themed items.
- Kelvin Gemstone
- Keefe Chambers
- Titus (portrayed by Miles Burris)
- Torsten (portrayed by Brock O'Hurn)
Plot[]
Kelvin attempts to integrate them into his life, taking them with him everywhere, from regular church services to the family's post-service meals. Kelvin leads them with an iron fist, forcing forms of torture on them in the name of Jesus, should they disobey him or the rules. His primary torture method is to force unruly members to "Bear the Cross", in a sort of tribal council similar to Survivor. The specific member has to carry a reinforced-concrete cross, and then mount it so it is standing. He forces a young man, Titus, who expresses skepticism in Kelvin, to endure this act, which he fails. Upon failure, the members are then put in a cage like a dog and ridiculed.
Kelvin has the squad perform a human pyramid stunt, even though the Squad are not experienced with them. Eventually, one of the members buckles and the whole thing collapses. The member that was injured sues the Gemstones' church, leading to a harsh rebuke for Kelvin by Eli. Eli implores Kelvin to grow up, and end his childish fantasies.
Kelvin starts to lose control of his group as the season progresses. He attempts to bring all of them with him to the Israeli desert, using the Gemstone private jet fleet. Eli and Martin refuse to let Kelvin do this, which enrages Kelvin. Kelvin had wanted to imitate Jesus' exile in the desert, as described in three of the four Gospels. This further erodes Kelvin's fantasy of him being a Messianic figure, and leads him to confront his father for humiliating him. In the hallway outside Benjamin Jason "BJ" Barnes' baptism reception, Kelvin crosses his father and eventually engages in a fight with Eli. Eli gains the upper hand and quickly puts Kelvin into a submission hold, threatening to break his thumbs as Eli did during his wrestling days. Kelvin refuses to give up or submit, and Eli breaks his thumbs, sending him to the hospital. This destroys Kelvin's reputation to the squad, who then begin to openly defy Kelvin and Keefe.
Keefe and the Squad
Eventually, the member Torsten, lauded by Kelvin for his strict adherence to sex abstinence, attempts to usurp Kelvin and "Bear the Cross". Torsten is successful, leading Kelvin to have Keefe attempt the same to keep their place. Keefe is unsuccessful, and thus is thrown into the animal cage and humiliated. Kelvin loses control of the squad, who takes over his house and property. Torsten, Titus, and other members ridicule Kelvin and Keefe regularly.
After Kelvin recovers from his hand/thumb injuries and after a serious discussion with Eli, Kelvin attempts to wrestle back control of the Squad and release Keefe from his prison. Kelvin volunteers to "Bear the Cross", and is successful in mounting it. After proving his own worth and strength, Kelvin regains control of the Squad and disbands them. He then goes back to Youth Ministry with Keefe, still focusing on fitness, but this time encouraging young adolescent men to exercise.