Читать книгу Rite of Passage for the Home and Church - D. Kevin Brown - Страница 6

I am excited about the fact that this is my first book. Writing it was something I greatly enjoyed. Yet at times I found it to be completely overwhelming. About half-way into the book I had one of those “What have you done?” moments. But, obviously you are holding the finished product indicating the Lord guided and blessed me through it. I must say that I was exceedingly stretched in this process. I’m not afraid of being stretched, but I was pulled spiritually and emotionally in ways I have never been. I’m grateful for that stretching and how the Lord has used it to mold me into a more surrendered disciple. My family was stretched right along with me and I’m thankful they were so supportive through it all.

I realized in writing this book that I am a complete and utter failure without Jesus Christ. I am incapable of imparting any worthwhile knowledge to anyone that is worthwhile apart from the grace of God. After all, I have not even finished raising my own children. How can I possibly have anything to say to anyone who is in the process of raising or training children in some capacity? Yet I can write this book, not because of anything I have done or am doing. I have no great wisdom and claim no authority, except that of the Holy Scriptures.

I am a pastor at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church (MPBC) in Wilkesboro, NC. Wilkesboro is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here is the amazing thing that astounds most people. I was literally raised in the church that I now pastor. I have been at MPBC since I was a one-year-old. I was chosen by the church body from within the ranks of the church family. We see this example in the book of Acts. Paul appointed elders in this manner, so I was not parachuted in; instead I was home-grown!

I was a businessman, mainly in the areas of finance and sales, for over 17 years before sensing the desire and leading from the Lord to shepherd his people. I’m still overwhelmed he manifested this desire and orchestrated the circumstances for them to be fulfilled in my home church. I have a passion for teaching and discipling men and families. I also have a strong desire for equipping the church for works of service. This passion for teaching has led me to the writing of this book.

I would like to tell you a little bit about my family. Most books only give a passing glance about the author and his or her background. Often, this leaves one to wonder about the author and his or her perspective. I thought I’d share a few things about my family, because this book is about a family subject written by a family man. Here is a picture of the Browns:

Kandace, Kevin, Clara, Andrew, Pam and Katy

I am blessed to be married to a most wonderful and dedicated wife, Pam. She is indeed my suitable helper. She truly is my best friend and confidant. Pam was an English-major in college and her editing skills were put to the test with this book. Pam also has a Master’s Degree in elementary education. We have been married 20 years and we are the parents of four children. Katy is 17, Kandace is 13, and Clara and Andrew are 6. We adopted Clara and Andrew from China.

Katy loves reading, writing, blogging and playing several instruments (piano, guitar and viola). Katy also sings and plays in our church praise team. Kandace enjoys reading, clogging and playing the violin and mandolin. She assists teaching ballet at a local dance studio and also sings in the ladies’ ensemble at church. Both ladies are tremendous blessings and provide great help with Clara and Andrew. Clara loves music, ballet and singing. She’s constantly performing her ballet leaps around the house! Andrew is our little engineer. He enjoys building with anything he can stack, bundle or pile. He adores his sisters, and yes, they spoil him!

Writing this book has truly been a labor of love. It has been written to express my heart-felt desire to disciple Christ-centered young adults. The Christian faith depends upon the transfer of the gospel from one generation to the next. This book chronicles and describes the scriptural process for accomplishing this goal. I sincerely hope you enjoy reading this book and I pray it will challenge, encourage and inspire you as well.