Wesleyan pastor and educator, Rev. Robert Brown, passed away November 2, 2015, after an extended illness with Cushing’s Disease. He was 59.
He served in vocational ministry in multiple churches, first in Methodist Protestant and then Wesleyan churches, across the United States and Canada. He also served as a youth pastor at First Wesleyan Church in Tuscaloosa, Ala., from 1987-1994.
Rev. Brown served as dean of students at Bethany Bible College (now Kingswood University) from 1994-1998. For the next six years, Rev. Brown assisted Dr. Ray Barnwell in the Sunday School and Discipleship Department at The Wesleyan Church Headquarters. In 2004, he and his family moved to Vancouver, Wash., where he pastored Vancouver Wesleyan Church until 2010 when he was forced to retire due to the Cushing’s Disease. He also taught Wesleyan FLAME courses, as well as Christian education and pastoral ministries courses. Rev. Brown volunteered with Youth for Christ as well and, in 1993, he traveled to Russia with a CoMission team through Global Partners, which assisted in working with school teachers in-country.
He loved sharing Christ, working with children and youth, and mentoring others for discipleship and evangelism. He had a contagious laugh, never met a stranger, and could turn any conversation into a witness for Christ.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Brown, in Vancouver; son Rob Brown in Wilsonville, Ore.; son Rich Brown in Boise, Idaho; brother Greg Brown in Vicksburg, Miss.; and sister Cathy Langdon in Gulfport, Ala.; along with nieces, nephews, and extended family. His parents Johnny and Elsie Brown of Vicksburg, Miss., predeceased him.
A celebration of life service will be held Sunday, November 8, 2015, at 3:00 PM at Vancouver Church, 3300 NE 78th St, Vancouver, Wash., with a reception to follow.
