Adventist Leaders, Friends and Family Celebrate George W. Brown on His 100th Birthday

January 19, 2024 | Avon Park, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

Family, friends, and former co-workers gathered last weekend to celebrate the 100^th birthday of Pastor George W. Brown, former Inter-American Division (IAD) president, at Avon Park Seventh-day Adventist Church in Florida.

“All I have felt thus far is love and more love,” said Pastor Brown as he welcomed the dozens who came to congratulate him. Also present was Pastor Brown’s wife of 72 years, Carla, his daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A spiritual leader

Greetings came in from the Adventist World Church President Pastor Ted N.C. Wilson who congratulated Brown for reaching such a milestone. “The Lord has blessed you with many years of life and has provided you with many opportunities to cultivate a love for Christ in others,” read Beverly Mattingly, Brown’s daughter, as she read the letter. “Your spiritual leadership has surely been an inspiration to many. Your dedicated witness at 100 years of age is even more pertinent during these uncertain times of earth’s history. May God continue to guide, direct, and bless you as you enter this new year of life and as we come closer to Christ’s soon second coming.”

IAD administrators paid tribute to Pastor Brown for a life of unwavering faith, selfless service, and spiritual guidance during the more than 41 years he served in the division territory.   “Over the past century, you have not only witnessed but have actively shaped the history of the Inter-American Division, leaving an indelible mark on the church and the members in that region,” said Pastor Elie Henry president of the IAD. “Your dedication to the teaching of compassion, kindness and hope has touched the hearts of many, leaving an enduring legacy.”

A beacon of faith

Pastor Brown has been a beacon of faith and has exemplified the principles of grace and humility, while inspiring generations to deepen their connection with Jesus, said Pastor Henry.

Pastor Brown’s church service included district pastor, college dean at Caribbean Union College, Education secretary, and president at the Caribbean Union, as well as youth ministries director, field secretary and president (1980-1993) of the IAD, adding 27 years at division level.

“We have come to celebrate a century of spiritual leadership and the profound impact you have had on countless lives,” Pastor Henry said.  IAD administrators presented special gifts to Pastor Brown and Carla.

A mentor and guide

Former IAD President Pastor Israel Leito thanked Pastor Brown for his mentorship, help, and guidance from his early service in Aruba. Leito followed in Brown’s footsteps as IAD youth ministries director in the 1980s and later as IAD president after Pastor Brown retired in 1993.

“Pastor Brown taught me so many things, never overbearing, very respectfully, helped and guided me,” said Pastor Leito. “I still have outlines of sermons you preached and left me. I still carry with me a folder you left on your president’s desk with how to guide a nominating committee in a union session, how to choose a president, etcetera, on your typed paper with your handwritten notes.”  Pastor Leito shared he asked God to follow once again Pastor Brown in reaching 100 years of age “with the mind, the kindness, with the leadership, with Christian spirit to continue blessing God’s church as you have done.”

A Christian example

As a token of appreciation, Dinorah Rivera, former women’s and children’s ministries director of the IAD, shared a compilation of photographs during Pastor Brown’s service in the IAD territory and birthday messages from former administrators who worked under Brown’s leadership. “We love you. Those of us who were very young in the office remember you as somebody we could trust,” said Rivera. “You were always an example in every aspect of your life, and we are happy God has bestowed upon you long years with that same bright mind, with the same passion, love and commitment for the church.”

On behalf of the group of retirees from the IAD office, Elie S. Honore, former health ministries director of the IAD, expressed his gratitude for the many who trained, educated, and were mentored by Pastor Brown’s direct leadership. “All of us you have impacted by our constant holy respect for life itself, and your genuine gratitude to God for the healthy longevity you have been blessed with,” Honore said.

A caring grandfather and compassionate friend

Granddaughter Nicole Brown-Dominguez read a tribute to her grandfather on behalf of the grandchildren, as well as friends and fellow members of the Avon Park Adventist Church who expressed their heartfelt congratulations for Pastor Brown’s exemplary life.

In addition, Myrna Costa, former IAD vice president and member of the Versacare Foundation—an Adventist ministries organization committed to assisting in humanitarian efforts projects around the world, thanked Brown for his compassion and commitment as a board member for 41 years.

Ruth Francis Archbold, daughter of Bender L. Archbold, former president of the IAD, and whom Brown followed as president, also shared how Brown was part of her family growing up and shared that she had a photo when she marched as the flower girl in Pastor Brown and Carla’s wedding.

Pastor Brown thanked the gathering and extended his warmest expression of gratitude to his four daughters, Carlita Brown-Christian, Dela Vern Brown, Beverly Mattingly, Arlene Brown-Dominguez, grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family, and the group from the IAD.

“I am what I am because of the Inter-American Division. It is a transforming area of the world,” said Brown.

An awaited celebration in heaven

“Since the world was young, I have had happy moments, very delightful moments, but this is the most remarkable event I have ever attended, none can compare to this one,” said Pastor Brown. “Having my blood family and of course that larger wonderful faith family is a foretaste of what’s going to happen on the day when we all get to heaven.”

He encouraged those present to treasure the assurance that we are one family. “We live in a very divided world. Division in politics, division in industry, division in everything and unfortunately division in the family of God but we are here to celebrate together. I want to pledge by God’s grace that all of us here will one day will be face-to-face with each other in the kingdom of God,” Pastor Brown said.

To view a photo gallery of the 100^th Birthday Celebration of Pastor George W. Brown, Click HERE