Goodrich – From the deck of an aircraft carrier to a small town on the West Coast to Goodrich’Pastor Todd Brown is positive that God will lead and guide him in what he should do.
That direction has led him to be the new pastor at the First Baptist Church, 6116 S. State Road.
‘We are so excited, we wonder what we did for God to allow us to be here, ? said Brown, 41.
The first church Brown pastored (for three years) was in Taft, Calif., a town just outside Bakersfield. He said the church was converted from a bunkhouse which was used for oil workers. ‘You have no idea what we came from, it was a very small church,? said Brown.
‘I can’t believe it, this church is so beautiful,? said Brown. ‘It’s amazing how the church folks got together, pooled their resources and built this church.?
High school sweethearts, Brown and his wife Tina, 39, were born and raised in West Carrollton, Ohio. They have four children, Nathan 18, Nicholas 9, Noah, 5 and Grace, 1-year-old.
Brown said he attended West Coast Baptist College when he was 36. ‘That’s when I finally gave in and realized God had a calling on my life to be a pastor.?
Before his work in the ministry, Brown said he was in the military for nine years. ‘I worked as a diesel mechanic in the Marines for six years and on an aircraft carrier in the Navy doing the launching and recovery of aircraft, just like the movie ‘Top Gun,?? he said.
A congregation of around 50 people right now, Brown said the church can seat up to 250 members. ‘We have plenty of room to welcome new people into this ministry,? he said.
When Brown gives a sermon, he said he tries to make it relevant to the times and what the Bible teaches. Then, he said, it is his job to teach his congregation how to apply that to their everyday lives. ‘That is how we grow as Christians,? said Brown.
‘We live in tough times today,? said Brown. ‘Look at our community and what is happening here with jobs being lost in Michigan. However, the basic truth is that even though these are unpredictable times, God stays the same. He stays true and we must focus on Him and trust.?