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
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