Commemorating 50 Years in Ministry
On June 28 Parsippany Baptist Church in Parsippany, New Jersey, will commemorate the 50th anniversary of L. Duane Brown’s ordination into the gospel ministry. This unusual day will not seek to honor a man but to honor the Lord. My dad pastored this church for 13 years, his longest ministry in one place. Over these 50 years Dad has served the Lord faithfully in seven states as a pastor (five churches), state representative (NY & PA), college president (DBBC&S), and now helping a missionary pastor (FL).
I appreciate our family’s ministry heritage. My brother Doug (from Faith in IA) will speak in Sunday School, I have the morning service, and Mark Nelsen (my brother-in-law, BWM in France) has the evening service.
In preparation for the day, Dad has written a booklet for his 14 grandchildren recounting the highlights (and struggles) of his life. The booklet, entitled My Cup Runneth Over, details life growing up on the farm together with the family’s pet black bear and ministry blessings (including burdens) throughout the years. He adds in some of the controversial days such as his brother Ken’s dismissal from BBC in Clarks Summit, the GARBC controversies of the 1980s, and the closing of Denver Baptist Bible College.
Our family appreciates Parsippany Baptist Church for their thoughtfulness. It is a great church with a great ministry. We pray that through this day the Lord will be exalted.
My best to you all as you celebrate how God has worked in and through your father.
I’d sure enjoy a copy of that booklet, if it becomes available.
Will the booklet, My Cup Runneth Over, be made available for public purchase? My wife grew up in First Baptist of Newark Valley, NY, and heard your father preach.
If you send me address I will send you a copy of the book.
Thank you for your gracious offer. If it would be convenient for you, perhaps I could pick it up on 7/28, when I visit the seminary?