Janie and I were humbled and wonderfully surprised at this past Sunday’s Celebration. The staff and you all did a perfect job keeping everything a secret. Neale even published a “decoy” worship bulletin so I could not see the one everyone else received. What a wonderfully loving, amazingly creative and deeply touching gesture of love. Thank you all so very much.
I know I will not remember everything, but I will try. First, the recognition of my 70th birthday and Janie and my 40th Anniversary. It was all wonderful. Seeing the old pictures was a hoot. Who was that young black-haired man?
The interrupted sermon video, of my first sermon delivered at JIBC, was too clever. I was momentarily a little upset when it looked like the video was messing up…it was a part of the charade! Then, when Frank O came up, the water works started for me. How meaningful to have him participate in this day before he went home to Jesus.
The kind words from our Elders were humbling indeed. Then the gift of the two original pieces of art, right to my heart! The art included the “words that describe Pastor Tom” you all so graciously shared. I am sure there were some words that could not be included and had to be edited out! One piece of the art will hang in our dining room and the other here at JIBC (probably in the outer office area where anyone who cares to see it can and I can see it every day.
The TAB (Thomas Arthur Brown) Mission Fund to help send others on mission was over the top. I will put the first $1,000 in to get that mission ball rolling. As I type this, Neale tells me the fund already has over $10,000 in it. I am too late to be the first to give to it, but I will still gladly make the thanksgiving offering. I have a mission fund named after me. This puts me right up there with Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong! (JK, LOL) I could not be more proud to be associated with a Kingdom Mission effort. Thank you. Now, let’s keep it funded and send a bunch of people out for Jesus.
Janie and I are going to Italy this week. We will celebrate both of our 70th birthdays, our 50 years of marriage (November 29) and our 40 years at JIBC. Thank you all for the financial gift to go toward our trip. I wept again, no surprise there, and could not even speak.
The dessert reception was such a sweet idea! See what I did there? So yummy.
I thank our Lord for the privilege of serving Him at JIBC. I also thank my sweet wife, Janie. If I get any stars in my crown when I go to heaven, I am pretty sure the Angels will pluck them out and given to Janie when she gets there! Any credit I get is credit Janie gets.
Thank you all again and again. This was a most spectacular weekend! Love you all,
Pastor Tom
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Thursday, September 4, 2025
IT IS A SPECIAL YEAR!
Of course, every day of every year is a special day and a special year. But the are some days, as the little boy from Waylyn said, “are more ‘specialer’ than others”! How so?
This year, 2025 has a lot of milestones for Janie and me. For instance, on Saturday, September 13, I will be 70 years old. How did that happen? One precious day after another and another. In fact, 25,567.5 wonderful days. I was born in 1955. That was a pretty good year: McDonalds opened, Disneyland in California opened, Rosa Parks rightfully refused to give up her seat on the bus. There was a cute little girl born into this world in Spartanburg. She was born in Inman but had an appointment with God’s plan that unfolded in Charleston. It was a pretty good year for little Tommy Brown to come into this world. Like the old saying goes “If I knew I was going to live so long I would have taken better care of myself!”
By the way, by lovely bride was also born in 1955. I get this all the time: “Oh Janie, you have not changed a bit…oh Hi Tom.” I chalk it up to me taking such great care of her while she dropped the ball a little on my side. LOL
This will also be the year Janie and I celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary. Married Thanksgiving weekend in 1975 at Dorchester Waylyn Baptist Church by Pastor David Wooten. Janie’s mom and dad and their friends catered the wedding for us! What a gift. Can you guess where we went on our honeymoon? Yep, Disney World. For more years that I can remember, I used to go back to Disney every year to tell Mickey thanks for making our week so special!
Last, but certainly not least, Janie and I have had the privilege of being at James Island for 40 years. Sunday, September 14 will be the 40-year anniversary of serving at JIBC. Our first Sunday was September 15, 1985. We had three preschool children in tow! I know that seems hard to believe. We have been blessed. I asked the Lord to allow us to stay in one place to raise our children. He winked and said “ Tom, I will do you one better, I will let you stay see your grandkids raised too!” Thank you all for the privilege of being at JIBC. To God be the glory. This is a very special year indeed.
Pastor Tom
This year, 2025 has a lot of milestones for Janie and me. For instance, on Saturday, September 13, I will be 70 years old. How did that happen? One precious day after another and another. In fact, 25,567.5 wonderful days. I was born in 1955. That was a pretty good year: McDonalds opened, Disneyland in California opened, Rosa Parks rightfully refused to give up her seat on the bus. There was a cute little girl born into this world in Spartanburg. She was born in Inman but had an appointment with God’s plan that unfolded in Charleston. It was a pretty good year for little Tommy Brown to come into this world. Like the old saying goes “If I knew I was going to live so long I would have taken better care of myself!”
By the way, by lovely bride was also born in 1955. I get this all the time: “Oh Janie, you have not changed a bit…oh Hi Tom.” I chalk it up to me taking such great care of her while she dropped the ball a little on my side. LOL
This will also be the year Janie and I celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary. Married Thanksgiving weekend in 1975 at Dorchester Waylyn Baptist Church by Pastor David Wooten. Janie’s mom and dad and their friends catered the wedding for us! What a gift. Can you guess where we went on our honeymoon? Yep, Disney World. For more years that I can remember, I used to go back to Disney every year to tell Mickey thanks for making our week so special!
Last, but certainly not least, Janie and I have had the privilege of being at James Island for 40 years. Sunday, September 14 will be the 40-year anniversary of serving at JIBC. Our first Sunday was September 15, 1985. We had three preschool children in tow! I know that seems hard to believe. We have been blessed. I asked the Lord to allow us to stay in one place to raise our children. He winked and said “ Tom, I will do you one better, I will let you stay see your grandkids raised too!” Thank you all for the privilege of being at JIBC. To God be the glory. This is a very special year indeed.
Pastor Tom
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Gotta Love It!
The names have been left out but the story is still as wonderfully precious. A dad was taking his little girl to Children’s Worship. The only place he ever saw where children’s worship was going on was in the Youth Worship Center during Vacation Bible School.
He noticed his daughter look a little apprehensive, even a little bit afraid. There could be many reasons for that: she might not have recognized anyone or saw any of her friends just yet. But dad did notice she seemed a little scared. All the other children seemed to be having fun and one of the children already there took her by the hand and off they went. Dad returns to mom in “Big Church” and reports the daughter’s hesitation. “It was like she was scared.” Mom digested that report and then decided to go and check it out. Here is what happened. Dad, by an innocent mistake, took his daughter to the Ukrainian Worship Service. There were several children present. It looked absolutely normal. Loving children, happy faces, one little girl taking the hand of his daughter. All is well…almost.
Here is my absolute favorite part of the story. When mom returned to check on her daughter, the Ukrainian little girl was still holding the hand of the confused little girl. She held the little girl’s hand until mom came to get her and take her to the Children’s Worship.
That is it. That is the picture of church, of the family of God, of loving people like Jesus. We hold their hands until everything is made right. We welcome them because we never thought of anything else but welcoming them. They are a temporary part of our family and we are glad they are.
I have seen a lot of really great things lately. This has to be high on the list of one of my absolute favorites. This story is about love on so many levels. You gotta love it!
See you Sunday, good Lord willing. Let’s hold someone’s hand that needs a little reassurance.
Pastor Tom
He noticed his daughter look a little apprehensive, even a little bit afraid. There could be many reasons for that: she might not have recognized anyone or saw any of her friends just yet. But dad did notice she seemed a little scared. All the other children seemed to be having fun and one of the children already there took her by the hand and off they went. Dad returns to mom in “Big Church” and reports the daughter’s hesitation. “It was like she was scared.” Mom digested that report and then decided to go and check it out. Here is what happened. Dad, by an innocent mistake, took his daughter to the Ukrainian Worship Service. There were several children present. It looked absolutely normal. Loving children, happy faces, one little girl taking the hand of his daughter. All is well…almost.
Here is my absolute favorite part of the story. When mom returned to check on her daughter, the Ukrainian little girl was still holding the hand of the confused little girl. She held the little girl’s hand until mom came to get her and take her to the Children’s Worship.
That is it. That is the picture of church, of the family of God, of loving people like Jesus. We hold their hands until everything is made right. We welcome them because we never thought of anything else but welcoming them. They are a temporary part of our family and we are glad they are.
I have seen a lot of really great things lately. This has to be high on the list of one of my absolute favorites. This story is about love on so many levels. You gotta love it!
See you Sunday, good Lord willing. Let’s hold someone’s hand that needs a little reassurance.
Pastor Tom
Thursday, August 14, 2025
THE GOSPEL PROJECT
This past Sunday Pastor Kyle told us about the strategy for helping our Children become disciples of Jesus. The Children that were “promoted” from Preschool to the first grade we presented a brand- new NIV Adventure Bible, the #1 Bible for Children. I have looked through this Bible and I really like it a lot! We gave out 8 Sunday but have Children’s Bibles available for any child that wants one. Just see one of the staff and we will make sure you get one for your child.
Pastor Kyle also told us about The Gospel Project children’s Bible Study curriculum. Listen to this. This is a Christ-Centered, chronological Bible Studies for kids. It also is available for youth and adults. Every story points back to Jesus; encourages transformation that comes as a result of the Gospel; they will study the Bible from Genesis to Revelation; hear doctrinally sound lessons; with a continuing emphasis on living a missional life. The Gospel Project will go through the entire Bible in a three-year period. You really want to have your children and grandchildren in one of these classes. By the way these classes are taught by Mark Livengood (Elder), Ronnie Cooper (Elder) Nancy Livengood and Billy Hebert (Deacon). This is as solid of a Children’s Team as you can get! Then the Children always have the option of attending Children’s Worship each week.
When you add the Awana Ministry to this mix, you have a really solid Children’s ministry. Awana is a world-wide ministry that reaches over 9 million Children every week. There are over 96,000 churches that use Awana as part of their disciple making process. It is being taught in over 140 different countries.
The goal of our Children’s Ministry is that Kids will know they belong to Jesus, believe His word and become more like Him. Amen and amen!
Thanks to all who work as a part of our process of making disciples who make disciples that change our community and world.
See you Sunday, good Lord willing,
Pastor Tom
Pastor Kyle also told us about The Gospel Project children’s Bible Study curriculum. Listen to this. This is a Christ-Centered, chronological Bible Studies for kids. It also is available for youth and adults. Every story points back to Jesus; encourages transformation that comes as a result of the Gospel; they will study the Bible from Genesis to Revelation; hear doctrinally sound lessons; with a continuing emphasis on living a missional life. The Gospel Project will go through the entire Bible in a three-year period. You really want to have your children and grandchildren in one of these classes. By the way these classes are taught by Mark Livengood (Elder), Ronnie Cooper (Elder) Nancy Livengood and Billy Hebert (Deacon). This is as solid of a Children’s Team as you can get! Then the Children always have the option of attending Children’s Worship each week.
When you add the Awana Ministry to this mix, you have a really solid Children’s ministry. Awana is a world-wide ministry that reaches over 9 million Children every week. There are over 96,000 churches that use Awana as part of their disciple making process. It is being taught in over 140 different countries.
The goal of our Children’s Ministry is that Kids will know they belong to Jesus, believe His word and become more like Him. Amen and amen!
Thanks to all who work as a part of our process of making disciples who make disciples that change our community and world.
See you Sunday, good Lord willing,
Pastor Tom
Friday, August 8, 2025
Tomorrow is the BIG DAY!
This past Tuesday, August 5, was the day to pack all the school supplies that will be delivered to the brand new Johns Island Elementary School and to the James Island Elementary School. You were so generous in your giving that we were able to share the love between the two schools. Each school will receive 40 back packs filled with everything on the list the schools provided. They will also receive additional bookbags and school supplies to be given out when school starts. In addition, the teachers will be given bins full of supplies they asked for: paper towels, wipes, liquid soap, Clorox wipes, sharpies, etc. Our prayer is that both schools, the teachers, the parents and all the children will feel the love and support. We pray for each of the students to have a great year. We also put a simple plan of salvation card in each book bag. The worship center stage was wonderfully covered with a small mountain of school supplies. Thank you again for your love for our community!
This Sunday, August 10 will be a great day to be in the House of the Lord. We have Bible presentations to the rising first graders; another missionary commissioning (Cheryl and Anne going to Romania); and the Lord’s Supper. What a day of celebration! By the way, the children will be receiving the NIV /Adventure Bible. I hope you will have an opportunity to take a look at one of these Children’s BibleS. Wow, what a wonderful gift. If you have a child that does not have a Bible, please see me and we will try to get that problem solved!
The Lord’s Supper this week will be the conclusion of our series “Spiritual Conversations: Let’s Talk About…”. I am so looking forward to this Sunday.
This past weekend, Janie and I took a brief trip to Havelock, North Carolina to see my brother. It was a good trip blessed with uneventful and safe travel. I was pleased to be able to spend two days with Bubba and Martha, my older brother and older sister. Thank you to our staff for covering the bases in my absence. I am blessed indeed.
See you Sunday,
Pastor Tom
LORD’S SUPPER, BIBLE PRESENTATION, COMMISSIONING
This Sunday, August 10 will be a great day to be in the House of the Lord. We have Bible presentations to the rising first graders; another missionary commissioning (Cheryl and Anne going to Romania); and the Lord’s Supper. What a day of celebration! By the way, the children will be receiving the NIV /Adventure Bible. I hope you will have an opportunity to take a look at one of these Children’s BibleS. Wow, what a wonderful gift. If you have a child that does not have a Bible, please see me and we will try to get that problem solved!
The Lord’s Supper this week will be the conclusion of our series “Spiritual Conversations: Let’s Talk About…”. I am so looking forward to this Sunday.
A SHORT TRIP AWAY
This past weekend, Janie and I took a brief trip to Havelock, North Carolina to see my brother. It was a good trip blessed with uneventful and safe travel. I was pleased to be able to spend two days with Bubba and Martha, my older brother and older sister. Thank you to our staff for covering the bases in my absence. I am blessed indeed.
See you Sunday,
Pastor Tom
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Four International Touch Points
Do you believe God can touch the world through James Island Baptist? Yes, of course we believe. It is the Great Commission that calls us to go into all the world and make disciples.
So, off goes Mark L. to Slovakia working with resettled Ukrainians escaping the war; off goes Robin C. and Brook B. to Colombia South America; off goes Amanda and Lyla H. to Uganda; and there goes Cheryl and Anne to Romania. Remember these in your prayers as they take the love of God and the Good News of Jesus to the utter most part of the world!
But what about “Missions at home”? Let’s talk about that. We host a new start Ukrainian Church who is trying to reach those in our community who were part of the former Soviet Union. Pastor Claudio and Claudia continue to lead Luz y Verdad to reach the Hispanic Church in the greater Charleston area. They are reaching about 100 each week and are constantly going to share the love of God to Migrants in Beaufort, Walterboro, etc.
Show some love locally? Of course! We are collecting school supplies for the underserved students at the new Johns Island Elementary School. We are trying to coordinate catering a meal for the teachers and distributing over 100 book bags filled with school supplies. Thank you all for being so generous .
Just around the corner is our mission partners, James Island Outreach. We are keeping them supplied with Jelly and syrup. It seems like they come by every two weeks to pick up all that you have donated. I love imaging some senior adult enjoying their biscuits or their PB&J with the jelly you donated!
Last of all I want to mention the “Spiritual Conversation” display. It is full to the brim indicating that our church family and friends have had almost 300 spiritual conversations in the last 6 weeks! We had to add two more containers to handle all the ping pong balls that represent spiritual conversations.
I love what our Father is doing. I love how you are following. See you soon, good Lord willing.
Pastor Tom
So, off goes Mark L. to Slovakia working with resettled Ukrainians escaping the war; off goes Robin C. and Brook B. to Colombia South America; off goes Amanda and Lyla H. to Uganda; and there goes Cheryl and Anne to Romania. Remember these in your prayers as they take the love of God and the Good News of Jesus to the utter most part of the world!
But what about “Missions at home”? Let’s talk about that. We host a new start Ukrainian Church who is trying to reach those in our community who were part of the former Soviet Union. Pastor Claudio and Claudia continue to lead Luz y Verdad to reach the Hispanic Church in the greater Charleston area. They are reaching about 100 each week and are constantly going to share the love of God to Migrants in Beaufort, Walterboro, etc.
Show some love locally? Of course! We are collecting school supplies for the underserved students at the new Johns Island Elementary School. We are trying to coordinate catering a meal for the teachers and distributing over 100 book bags filled with school supplies. Thank you all for being so generous .
Just around the corner is our mission partners, James Island Outreach. We are keeping them supplied with Jelly and syrup. It seems like they come by every two weeks to pick up all that you have donated. I love imaging some senior adult enjoying their biscuits or their PB&J with the jelly you donated!
Last of all I want to mention the “Spiritual Conversation” display. It is full to the brim indicating that our church family and friends have had almost 300 spiritual conversations in the last 6 weeks! We had to add two more containers to handle all the ping pong balls that represent spiritual conversations.
I love what our Father is doing. I love how you are following. See you soon, good Lord willing.
Pastor Tom
Friday, July 25, 2025
HE RESTORES MY SOUL
As a part of our “Spiritual Conversations: Let’s Talk About…” I talked about Mental Health. Over the years we have tried to help remove the stigma sometimes associated with mental health illnesses. God even enabled us to put together a community wide Festival of Hope addressing Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders/Addictions.
Elijah is one of the greatest characters in the Old Testament. Even so, it did not keep him from experiencing despair, discouragement and depression. The Bible makes no attempt to hide Mental Health Illness of its heroesToday, I wanted to put together a list of my favorite Bible verses about peace and calm. Here are 10 Bible verses that you can write down in the cover of your Bible so you can turn to them quickly and often. See if you agree about these verses: Philippians 4:6-7; 2 Timothy 1:7; Psalm 23; Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Peter 5:7; Isaiah 41:10; John 14:27; Psalm 46:1-3; & Deuteronomy 31:6. What verses would you add to these?
Read and meditate on these verses. Keep them in an easy to find place. Let them so bless you that you in turn will be able to use them to bless others.
In addition, here are two prayers that you might find helpful in your journey toward peace that passes all understanding. The first one is the Serenity Prayer:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace. Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, Not as I would have it.
The second one you are more familiar with, The Model Prayer also called The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Allow me to speak this blessing over you and your loved ones: The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face to shine upon you; And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Deuteronomy 6:24-26
See you Sunday good Lord willing!
Pastor Tom
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)