PASTOR CRAIG E. BROWN

A native of California, Pastor Craig Edwin Brown was born the oldest of three children to the Bishop Eugene and Elect Lady Alpha Brown in Los Angeles, CA, March 6, 1957.  Both of his parents are home with the Lord; his father, Bishop Brown passed in April 1996 and his mother passed in March 2001.  He and his lovely wife, Debbie, were married July 29, 1978 and they are wonderfully blessed with three children; Gabriel (b. 1979), is a graduate of Westwood College of Aviation, Yulanda (b. 1982), is a 2005 graduate of Clark-Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA, and Miranda (b. 1985), is a Senior at CSU Long Beach.   During his adolescence and teen-age years, Pastor Brown enjoyed both Cub and Boy Scouting learning many valuable life’s lessons and challenges.

ECCLESIATSTICAL EXPERIENCE SUMMARY

·                     1957 - Born and raised Christ Holy Sanctified Church of America, Inc. (CHSC).

·                     1963 – Began piano lessons after hearing, “I am Thine, O Lord,” played at church; picked up melody on piano purchased for home by his father.

·                     1966 – Began playing for youth choir; began playing for local church services in 1968.

·                     1967 – Saved at the age of 10; filled with the Holy Ghost at age 14

·                     1972 – Began playing at state and national levels

·                     1974 – Appointed as part of national music staff; Asst. Director for State of California

·                     1977 – 1997 Served as National Choir Director (CHSC)

·                     1978 – Transcribed several music books for Birthright and Light Records.

·                     1981 – Felt calling to the preaching ministry.

·                     1984 – Accepted and acknowledged call to preaching ministry.  Official trail sermon was “Are You Sleeping Under a Juniper Tree?” (I Kings 19:1-6).  Appointed as an Associate Board Member of Pentecostal Heritage and served as music director.

·                     1984 – 1992 - Worked in all aspects of local church as an Associate Pastor and administrative assistant; worked in many areas of the state.

·                     1988 – Ordained as an Elder in Christ Holy Sanctified Church

·                     1992 – Appointed Superintendent of So. California District.

·                     1995 – Appointed Assistant Pastor, 1^st Christ Holy Sanctified Church.

·                     1996 – Appointed as Sr. Pastor of 1^st CHSC after passing of Bishop Eugene Brown.

·                     1997 – Installed as Sr. Pastor; resigned as National Music Director, CHSC.; vice-president and president of National Planning Committee, CHSC

·                     1999 – Officially changed name from 1^st CHSC to Praise Tabernacle

·                     2000 – 2001 - Set up Corporation and Board of Directors for Praise Tabernacle, a California non-profit Corporation.

·                     2001 – 2002 – Led campaign to purchase 5 parcels adjacent to present sanctuary; presently Praise Tabernacle now owns two-thirds of the block.

·                     2002 – Appointed as chairman of Reformation Committee for CHSC.

·                     2003 – Formed “Project: Nehemiah” (a community development corporation), a ministry of Praise Tabernacle designed to receive millions of dollars from state and federal grants as well as private donations whose purpose will be “building hope and dignity in the people; building the walls of strength in the community.”  Research and analysis for a new 1000 seat sanctuary and ministry complex is in process.

·                     2003 – Elected as a member of the Board of Presbytery of Christ Holy Sanctified Church of America, Inc. 

·                     2006 – Elected as 2^nd Vice-President of Christ Holy Sanctified Churches; appointed assistant overseer of the Western Diocese, CHSC

·                     2007 – Completed purchase of another adjacent 5,000 sq ft. building and parking lot.

Currently, Pastor Brown is the Presiding Elder (superintendent) of the Southern California district of CHSC, the Assistant Overseer of the Western Diocese, CHSC, a member of the Board of Presbytery (Board One) of CHSC, and is the 2^nd Vice-President of CHSC. 

In summary, Pastor Brown has been involved in all areas and aspects of church work since birth.  The make-up of his local membership is almost completely changed since his father was pastor indicating deliberate and consistent growth under his leadership.  While following in his predecessors’ footsteps, Superintendent Brown has accomplished what has never been accomplished before in the Southern California area – the growth from one to five churches.  The vision of his predecessors (Bishop Judge King, Bishop U.S. King, Supt. Benjamin Betters, Sr., and Bishop Eugene Brown) is coming to pass.  To the Glory of God!

ECCLESIATSTICAL FELLOWSHIPS, ASSOCIATIONS and MEMBERSHIPS

Local Pastoral Coverings:                       Bishop Johnny Young, Ph.D., Senior Pastor, Church of God Pentecostal, Inglewood,

                                                            Senior Bishop-Elect, Church of God Pentecostal, International

                                                            Bishop Gregory Dixon, Ph. D., Senior Pastor, First Church of God…Center of Hope,

                                                            Presiding Prelate, Eagles Wings Evangelistic Ministries

Member                                                Inglewood Area Ministers Association, Rev. Alvin Isaacs, President

Associate Professor                               Ministerial Training Institute, Bishop Johnny Young, Ph. D, Chancellor

Board of Directors Member                     Kingdom Builders Ministerial Alliance, Bishop Ernestine Reems-Dickerson, Presiding Bishop

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

California State University Long Beach – Music Major - concentration; Composition

Bachelor of Arts, Organizational and Leadership Development - Biola University, La Mirada, CA

Masters of Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA (in process – expected start 2007)

HOBBIES

Pastor Brown enjoys watching trains and dreaming of model railroad schemes.  He also enjoys playing and listening to music, backpacking (climbing mountain peaks), racquet-ball, skiing, fishing, and basketball (basically anything outdoors and rugged.)  He has completed two L.A. Marathons (his first in 2000) and expects to run several more before his legs give out.