FAITH STEPPER — All things considered and much to his delight, it is due in large to the valiant contributions of those who have embraced Atlanta-area Pastor Matthew Brown’s gifts and talents both in ministry and in Corporate America throughout the years that he deems it absolutely imperative to — for a lack of better words — never forget to remember. A native of Buffalo, New York, Brown will celebrate six years as Senior Pastor of Greater Community Church before his congregation and a host of supporters on September 22.
MARIETTA, Georgia — Matthew Brown, TH.D. is an Atlanta-area pastor.
He’s a pretty highly regarded one too.
A product of the historic Church Of God In Christ and the proud shepherd of Greater Community COGIC in Marietta, Georgia, Brown was brought up mostly in a Christian-oriented environment whereby following tradition was, by all accounts, a customary trend.
“I grew up serving the older saints,” Brown told Making Headline News during a recent exclusive interview.
Amongst his notable acts of service to the Body of Christ:
Youth pastor.
A trustee member.
An assistant pastor.
Oh, let’s not forget choir director.
HEART FOR PEOPLE — Brown has a vision for winning lost souls for Jesus Christ. He has committed Greater Community to be a ministry where every man, woman, boy and girl will have repeated opportunities to hear, feel, see and touch the gospel of Jesus Christ. With an emphasis on solid praise, worship, and biblical teaching, he is making the word of God – real, relevant and relational in the life of believers and non-church goers alike.
Most importantly, Brown also assumed the monumental role of what he appropriately described as leading many to Christ.
“I understood the concept of family and community by the way we were raised,” Brown explained. “It afforded me many opportunities. I credit my upbringing in church dealing with people to my career in corporate marketplace and government.”
Add to the fact that Brown, a native of Buffalo, New York, is a former special assistant to that city’s mayor, as well as having occupied a variety of Corporate America posts — most notably vice president of a local development corporation, Director of Intergovernmental Relations, Commissioner of General Services and Communications Director for the mayor of Buffalo — and it’s no wonder that even as an efficient and resourceful veteran man of the cloth, Brown has adopted the notion that implies, among other things, he welcomes the concept of venturing outside of tradition and advancing the kingdom in a rather unorthodox way.
A product of the historic Church Of God In Christ and the proud shepherd of Greater Community COGIC in Marietta, Georgia, Brown was brought up mostly in a Christian-oriented environment whereby following tradition was, by all accounts, a customary trend.
“I wholeheartedly believe that ministry is not possible without support of one’s family,” Brown said. “Their contribution of time, talent and treasure is incalculable and grossly underestimated. My success, if I have any, is a reflection of the way I grew up, the family that supports me and the wonderful people around the nation that have deposited great things in me.”
All things considered and much to his delight, it is due in large to the valiant contributions of those who have embraced Brown’s gifts and talents both in ministry and in Corporate America throughout the years that he deems it absolutely imperative to — for a lack of better words — never forget to remember.
PASSING THE LIMELIGHT ON — All in all, what this year’s pastoral celebration boils down to is Greater Community’s most celebrated leader launching a spiritual curveball, of sorts, by way of shifting the figurative spotlight away from himself and aiming it in the direction of those whose valiant contributions have help make GCC the beacon of light for which it is widely known.
“Honestly, I just wanted to say thank you to the members of Greater Community for their support over the last six years,” Brown said.
He will be afforded the opportunity to extend votes of thanks early and often during his much-anticipated Sixth Pastoral Anniversary on Friday, September 22 when his congregation, a host colleagues, family members, friends and close acquaintances pay homage to him for his tireless contributions as a beacon of light to the Atlanta community and his ministry at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest At Galleria.
The weekend-long festivities will be include a Celebration Reunion Choir Concert the following day at 6 p.m. EST and will culminate with GCC’s Homecoming Services on September 24 at 8 and 11 a.m. EST.
Officially installed as Greater Community’s Senior Pastor in October 2011, Brown for months leading to his much-anticipated milestone had routinely expressed his desire to take a rather unorthodox approach to his latest Pastoral celebration, one that will be geared largely toward shining the figurative spotlight on those who have greatly helped the church stand the tests of time since its inception.
COMPLETELY SOLD OUT TO GOD — Nearly 35 years removed from having officially been installed as an ordained minister, Brown — whose kingdom-based resume includes having assumed leadership posts in COGIC’s local, district, jurisdiction and national church — is especially enthralled about his forthcoming sixth year pastoral anniversary.
Amongst his church’s notable highlights will be to pay homage to what Brown has dubbed the Living Legend members, most notably those who were members of the Avery Street Hensley Chapel location to the institution’s present establishment at 406 Roswell Street.
Among those being recognized are Emeritus Church Mother, 99-year-old Edna Wise and 85-year-old Mother Marthene Penn, both of whom will be recipients of the Bishop James J. Hensley Lifetime Award courtesy of Pastor Brown, and COGIC General Board Member Bishop Sedgwick Daniels.
Also, church officials said that a new initiative will be announced in honor of recently deceased GCC member Marietta Wilson and it will be named the Marietta Wilson Entrepreneur Program. In addition, Brown’s pastoral celebration will feature a variety of tributes, particularly from local, regional and national dignitaries.
All in all, what this year’s pastoral celebration boils down to is Greater Community’s most celebrated leader launching a spiritual curveball, of sorts, by way of shifting the figurative spotlight away from himself and aiming it in the direction of those whose valiant contributions have help make GCC the beacon of light for which it is widely known.
ESTEEMING OTHERS — Brown will be afforded the opportunity to extend votes of thanks early and often during his much-anticipated Sixth Pastoral Anniversary on Friday, September 22 when his congregation, a host colleagues, family members, friends and close acquaintances pay homage to him for his tireless contributions as a beacon of light to the Atlanta community and his ministry the Atlanta Marriott Northwest At Galleria.
“Pastor Brown desired to share his anniversary with the membership by thanking them for their support for the last six years by honoring the past, celebrating the present, and anticipating the future opportunities to bring kingdom to community,” a GCC spokesperson said.
Nearly 35 years removed from having officially been installed as an ordained minister, Brown — whose kingdom-based resume includes having assumed leadership posts in COGIC’s local, district, jurisdiction and national church — is especially enthralled about his forthcoming sixth year pastoral anniversary.
AIMING TO BE DIFFERENT — Named Greater Community’s Senior Pastor in September 2011, Brown for months leading to his much-anticipated milestone had routinely expressed his desire to take a rather unorthodox approach to his latest Pastoral celebration, one that will be geared largely toward shining the figurative spotlight on those who have greatly helped the church stand the tests of time since its inception.
“I wanted to honor some precious people who’ve given their lives in service to the local church and region,” Brown said. “I believe at times that as a leader, I want to thank people who have given me the privilege to lead this ministry and celebrate what happens when we work together. It is a time of social celebration, a night out for the saints, a time of reflecting our past, celebrating our present and anticipating our future. I like to do things different and this was just a little different.”
Well said by this Atlanta-area pastor whom, given his illustrious ministerial track record, is a pretty highly regarded one too.
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Andre Johnson is the Founder and Publisher of Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson is the former chief adjutant to Elder Andrew Jackson, Sr. of Faith Temple Ministries Church of God In Christ. Based in Dallas, Texas, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division. To reach Johnson, call him at 901-690-6587 or send email to to andre@makingheadinenews.com or to memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
ABOUT ANDRE: Andre Johnson is a longtime sports journalist and a 2000 graduate of the University of the Memphis with Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. A native of Memphis, Johnson is a former sport reporter Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper and Memphis Sport Magazine. He worked as full-time staffer for The Commercial Appeal from 2000-2002, in which he was the beat reporter for the Memphis Houn’dawgs of now-defunct American Basketball Assocation and the Memphis Xplorers of the arenafootball2 league. He has interviewed numerous sports personalities, most notably Archie Manning, LeBron James, George “Iceman” Gervin, Issac Bruce, Laila Ali, Vince Carter, Paul Westphal, Phil Jackson, Ken Hamlin, Cortez Kennedy, Michael Oher, Kobe Bryant, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Marc Gasol, Dwight Howard, James Harden, Patrick Willis, Stanley Morgan, Dirk Nowitzki, Rick Carlisle, Mark Cuban, Carmelo Anthony, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay, John Force, Lamar Odom, Alexandra Stevenson, Derek Fisher, Penny Hardaway, Phillip Rivers, Colin Kaepernick, Jim Harbaugh, Tyreke Evans, Kirk Ferentz, and O. J. Mayo, among others. To reach Johnson, send email to: memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
Andre Johnson 
Also, church officials said that a new initiative will be announced in honor of recently deceased GCC member Marietta Wilson and it will be named the Marietta Wilson Entrepreneur Program. In addition, Brown’s pastoral celebration will feature a variety of tributes, particularly from local, regional and national dignitaries.
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, producer, author, athlete, musician, barber, life coach, motivational speaker, cosmetologist, tax preparer, model, or pastor/minister who is seeking exposure and would like to share your story with an in-depth news feature, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.
