We are heading into my favorite time of the year. Once we have the Fall Festival Community Outreach behind us, we dive into November and December, my most favorite time of the year. Once we turn the calendar over to November, it is full on Thanksgiving Season. I am liking anything that helps me to take a pause to be thankful, be appreciative, and to give thanks to God from whom all blessings flow. I never want to fall into the pit of ingratitude. Gratitude can turn everyday into Thanksgiving and change everyday opportunities into blessings. He is the Giver of every good and perfect gift.
I usually do a sermon series on Thanksgiving. We will have four Sundays before Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27. Among the reasons I love this time of the year is my weddings anniversary. This year, November 29, Janie and I will celebrate 50 years of marriage. Thanksgiving Day with family and two days later we celebrate our marriage. God is good all the time and all the time God is good.
It is not too early to at least mention the other reason why I love this time of the year…the entire Christmas Season. I look at lights, every song, every gift, every special meal as a part of celebrating Jesus’ birth. This year we will have opportunity to bless because we have been blessed, to give because much has been given, to be thankful for family and friends.
Question for you: What are your all-time two favorite Christmas songs? One can be a hymn and one not a hymn. I would like to put together a Christmas tunes play list. Text me or pm me on Facebook or drop it in the offering plate. Follow up question: would you mind if I shared your two songs? I think there are others who would love to see what your favorite is.
Ok, I will wait until the Fall Festival, October 31. After that…IT IS THANKSGIVING TIME!
See you Sunday, good Lord willing.
Pastor Tom
Friday, October 17, 2025
Thursday, October 9, 2025
THE FALL FESTIVAL 2025!
Over the years the Fall Festival has grown to encompass the entire side of our Plymouth Avenue parking areas. Although the Festival has grown, our purpose has remained the same. We want to go head-to-head with the traditional Halloween events and offer a safe, family friendly, fun event. Kids still get so much candy we should be sponsored by all local dentists! It is a free event…even the food. To get a free food voucher, all they have to do is register.
I especially love the Fall Festival when it gets dark and the lights are on. Now it looks like a party. The best band on James Island is playing all our favorite songs, people are laughing and enjoying themselves, are we are rubbing shoulders with people we might not get to meet otherwise. This is a BIG event and it shows a lot of love to our community. Did you know we added a “Prayer Booth”? Stop by and write down a prayer or ask for prayer right then and there. How about this…we offer a “Free Hug” booth. Just about everyone needs a good hug from a grandma or granddad figure! I am not sure if he will make it, but we also had Beauregard, the “pet me for some therapy” dog! He was a big hit and I am sure he was sore the next day from so many hugs. Mark Livengood has been great about having a booth, whether using science or drama, to share the Gospel.
Just a reminder about costumes. We absolutely love the creativity and the “good taste” shown by those who show up in costume. No bloody characters or sexy French Maids. Think “G” rated for families with preschoolers. There has even been a rumor that the “Punk Monk” may make a return this year. He was on special assignment the last few years.
Pray for the event. (Dear Jesus, may everyone who attends feel your love and be drawn to you. Bless us with safety as well as fun. Amen) Bring some candy. We will need a few thousand pieces to give away. Then, consider volunteering for one of the booths. Some are amazingly simple while others require more interaction with our guest. Your choice. (Big hint: Get 3 friends to sign up with you. Then 2 work the first half of the event, the other two work the next half. Winner winner) We have safety teams, registration tables, cooks, servers, booth hosts, etc. A place for everyone.
Here we go, Fall Festival number 40…OK, 39 because of Covid!
Love to all,
Pastor Tom
Friday, October 3, 2025
CHARLIE KIRK’S TRAGIC DEATH
The day before Janie and I went out of the county, Charlie Kirk was assassinated. He was and actually still is a strong voice for Biblical principles and conservative view points. Along with the evil in the murderer’s heart, Charlie Kirk was killed for his view points.
HOW DO WE RESOND TO SUCH A HORRIFIC EVENT? I suggest we do what we should always do and look to Jesus. What would/did Jesus say in such a time? We do not decide what to do or say based on the latest TV Preacher or radio personality. It is radical, but let’s do what Jesus did.
John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin. Jesus called him the greatest man ever born to a woman. He was the Elijah of Jesus’ day preparing the way of the Lord and calling us to repentance. He had his head cut off by Herod as though Herod was a member of modern day Hamas. Matthew 14 tells the story of Johns murder and Jesus’ response. WWJD?
First he grieved and mourned. He went away by himself to seek the comfort and perspective of His Father, Abba. Blessed are those who mourn, they will be comforted. He mourned. Second, when the crowds found Him, Jesus had compassion on them and healed the sick. He continued on with the very work God sent Him to do. Perhaps a mourning heart can be helped by meeting the needs of others. At least we know that is what Jesus did. Third, He had compassion on the large crowd and performed the miracle of feeding 5,000 men with 5 loaves and a few fishes. He was not ignoring or denying John’s death. He was continuing the very work John the Baptist announced Jesus was coming to do. Jesus’ agenda was not set by politics, fundamentalist preachers or emotions pushed to the brink. He prayed as he taught us to pray “Thy Kingdom come and thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
SO WHAT DO YOU DO IN FACE OF SUCH HORRIFIC NEWS? I usually have three responses. First, PRAY MORE. We pray, seeking God’s perspective. Matthew 7:7 says “Ask and it will be given, Seek and you will find, Knock and the door will be opened”. So, let’s ask, seek and knock. Pray more and grumble less. Second, PRAISE MORE. Do not underestimate the power that comes from exalting and focusing on the Goodness of God vs the wickedness of man. Praise celebrates who God is, His nature, His character. It lifts our eyes to the Father and our Lord Jesus. Paul and Silas were in prison for preaching the Gospel. What did they do? Prayed and praised. What did God do? He opened the prison doors. Third, SERVE MORE. Jesus healed the sick and fed 5,000 immediately after learning of Johns death. He saw this tragic event as the occasion to do what God sent Him to do: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach Good News to the poor; He sent me to proclaim freedom to the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:16-19)
Charlie Kirk’s memorial, so far, has been seen by over 20 million people. Twenty Million hearing the clear Gospel of Jesus presented. The cowardly assassin unknowingly awakened a sleeping spiritual giant. Millions are rallying to pray, praise and carry on the Gospel work God has called us to. To God be the glory and our prayers and love to Erica Kirk and her two beloved children.
Pastor Tom
HOW DO WE RESOND TO SUCH A HORRIFIC EVENT? I suggest we do what we should always do and look to Jesus. What would/did Jesus say in such a time? We do not decide what to do or say based on the latest TV Preacher or radio personality. It is radical, but let’s do what Jesus did.
John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin. Jesus called him the greatest man ever born to a woman. He was the Elijah of Jesus’ day preparing the way of the Lord and calling us to repentance. He had his head cut off by Herod as though Herod was a member of modern day Hamas. Matthew 14 tells the story of Johns murder and Jesus’ response. WWJD?
First he grieved and mourned. He went away by himself to seek the comfort and perspective of His Father, Abba. Blessed are those who mourn, they will be comforted. He mourned. Second, when the crowds found Him, Jesus had compassion on them and healed the sick. He continued on with the very work God sent Him to do. Perhaps a mourning heart can be helped by meeting the needs of others. At least we know that is what Jesus did. Third, He had compassion on the large crowd and performed the miracle of feeding 5,000 men with 5 loaves and a few fishes. He was not ignoring or denying John’s death. He was continuing the very work John the Baptist announced Jesus was coming to do. Jesus’ agenda was not set by politics, fundamentalist preachers or emotions pushed to the brink. He prayed as he taught us to pray “Thy Kingdom come and thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
SO WHAT DO YOU DO IN FACE OF SUCH HORRIFIC NEWS? I usually have three responses. First, PRAY MORE. We pray, seeking God’s perspective. Matthew 7:7 says “Ask and it will be given, Seek and you will find, Knock and the door will be opened”. So, let’s ask, seek and knock. Pray more and grumble less. Second, PRAISE MORE. Do not underestimate the power that comes from exalting and focusing on the Goodness of God vs the wickedness of man. Praise celebrates who God is, His nature, His character. It lifts our eyes to the Father and our Lord Jesus. Paul and Silas were in prison for preaching the Gospel. What did they do? Prayed and praised. What did God do? He opened the prison doors. Third, SERVE MORE. Jesus healed the sick and fed 5,000 immediately after learning of Johns death. He saw this tragic event as the occasion to do what God sent Him to do: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach Good News to the poor; He sent me to proclaim freedom to the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:16-19)
Charlie Kirk’s memorial, so far, has been seen by over 20 million people. Twenty Million hearing the clear Gospel of Jesus presented. The cowardly assassin unknowingly awakened a sleeping spiritual giant. Millions are rallying to pray, praise and carry on the Gospel work God has called us to. To God be the glory and our prayers and love to Erica Kirk and her two beloved children.
Pastor Tom
Thursday, September 11, 2025
WOW! OH MY! AND WOW AGAIN!
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
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 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
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