Brown retires after 24 years

By Sonia Outlaw-Clark

Ralph Brown came to Brownsville, Tenn., on July 10, 1982 to serve as the Minister of Music and Youth at Brownsville Baptist Church. On July 30, 2006, Brown will say goodbye to his current position as Associate Pastor and Minister to Families. “I have run the race that is set before me," says Brown. “However, even the fastest runner knows when it is time to hang up his racing shoes.”

Brown, who was born in Kentucky and grew up in Tampa, Fla., started at age 15 as a volunteer and part-time music/youth minister. He began full-time ministry in 1975 when he received his degree in music education from Samford University, Birmingham, Ala.

Brown thought his career would be in retail after leaving college to marry his high school sweetheart, Elanie Crozier, and work for Montgomery Ward Department Store. But that didn’t keep him from volunteering or working part-time at various churches in the cities he was being transferred to. After 10 years of service to Wards, Brown decided, “I would rather serve the Lord all the time for my lifetime calling rather than work for Wards.” So he resigned his job and went back to college. His first full-time position as Minister of Music/Youth was at First Baptist Church in Brooksville, Fla.

In September, the Browns will celebrate 44 years of marriage. They have two children and 10 grandchildren. Their daughter Kathy, who is Chief Financial Officer for Brady Horne Construction in Jackson, is married to Brownsville Building Inspector Jerry McClinton and they have three children. Ralph Jr. is a Baptist pastor in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He and his wife Stacy have seven children.

I was curious about what brought Brown to Brownsville and especially why he had chosen to remain here for 24 years. His gracious answers to my many questions follow.

Q. What led you to West Tennessee and especially Brownsville?

A. I was serving at Balmoral as Minister of Youth and Activities. I had heard Brownsville Baptist was looking for a Minister of Music so I sent my resume’ to the church. I heard nothing back after a few weeks and assumed they found someone else. I was praying God would find me a new place to serve as I felt like He had told me I had accomplished all I could at Balmoral. Then, five months after I sent my resume’, a search committee led by Mr. Charles Presley, now deceased, came to talk to me. Afterwards I called a former Minister of Music from Brownsville Baptist and he gave a glowing report on the church and living in Brownsville. I visited with the committee and the pastor then, Dr. H.K. Sorrell, and God gave me peace in my heart that I should come here. The committee and church felt the same way. I have enjoyed serving the Lord here and the people of Brownsville Baptist and they have been there for me and my family when we needed them.

Q. How does life in Brownsville compare to Tampa or any of the other larger places you have served?

A. There is still a respect for ministers here. Big cities don’t have that. People are genuinely friendlier than in big cities. I moved here when my children were teens. Many adults will watch out for your teenage children, whether they want them to or not, and I am laughing a little when I say this, but am still serious, if they do something wrong, they know their parents will find out. This is good!

Q. Have there been times when you thought you had made the wrong career choice?

A. Never!

Q. Are there particular difficulties associated with being both a music and youth minister?

A. Actually they dovetail together because you have the teens in two places and it strengthens both. I guess the downside would be that when done well, both ministries together can take a great deal of your time to the point of taking time from your own personal family.

Q. How does your duties now, as associate pastor/minister to families, compare to when you started? Are you still as involved with the youth and music or are your responsibilities totally different?

A. My responsibilities with music for all ages shifted to the new Minister of Music when I changed assignments. I still relate to youth now in Bible study, recreation and drama. I relate with senior adults, the Family Life Center, outreach to the community and minimally with children.

Q. I know you have worked a lot with the youth in sports activities. Were you involved in athletics before joining the ministry?

A. I ran track in high school. I played slow pitch softball all my young and median adult life and coached children and teen girls/women in softball. I loved to play flag football. I still play volleyball.

Q. Twenty-four years at the same church is kind of unusual. I’m sure there were larger churches and better paying position that have come up over the years. Can you tell why you have chosen to stay in Brownsville?

A. I was contacted thru the years regarding moving to other churches. I never really had a peace from God about moving so I always said “No, thank you.” Many people may not believe this to be true, but I believe a genuine minister serves a congregation at God’s calling, and when God is through with you at that place, He will let you know it in your heart. I have never served or thought of leaving any church I have served for more fame, power, position or money. God never told me to leave Brownsville Baptist Church so I didn’t. Now, He has told me it is time to retire from Brownsville Baptist. I must do that.

Q. Do you plan to continue to live in Brownsville?

A. Yes. My house is paid for and one set of my grandkids is here. The other set is in Wisconsin and I sure don’t want to live that far north!

Q. You’ve said your plans for retirement include finishing a trip to Hawaii. Can you explain when the first attempt was and why it was cut short?

A. My wife, Elaine, had always wanted to go to Hawaii. We saved up the money and about four or five years ago planned a ten-day trip there. Unfortunately, after four days, Elaine’s mother unexpectedly passed away. We flew 15 hours from Hawaii back to Tampa for the funeral and never returned to Hawaii to finish our trip. Now we can do it.

Q. I know you want to stay connected to the ministry and do some disaster relief. Is there a particular reason why you’re interested in the Baptist food kitchen?

A. Southern Baptists overall and Tennessee in particular have an excellent and well-trained disaster relief organization. They were one of the first and largest responders to Katrina. I can’t do chain saw work anymore, but I could serve food, counsel, do light duty work, etc. One of my spiritual gifts is mercy and I’ve always wanted to help with disasters, but had a full time job and could not. Now I can.

Q. Is there anything else you want to say?

A. I have loved what I do and who I have done it with in Brownsville Baptist Church and in this city. The church and the city have been very good to me and my family. Thank you for all the kindness showed to me and my family. I do not just intend to sit in a rocking chair during retirement, though I don’t know what I will do. I will be serving the Lord somehow and in some way I know. May God bless you all!

First Published July 14, 2006