Some pastors know they want to enter the ministry from their youth. Others take a bit of a winding path to get there. The Rev. Michael Brown falls into the latter category.

Brown was installed as the new senior pastor at Faith Reformed Presbyterian Church (FRPC), 611 Robert Fulton Highway, Quarryville, on Nov. 15, 2020. The Mississippi native's resume includes a law degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Law, and active duty in the army. As a JAG Corps member, Brown served in Iraq and received a Bronze Star. While stationed in Georgia, he gained extensive courtroom experience before entering the Mississippi Army National Guard. Brown achieved the rank of major and received a Distinguished Service Medal for deployment to West Africa. He also made partner in a Mississippi law firm.

Along the way, Brown was involved with several Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) congregations. He became a Christian during his senior year at Mississippi College and was discipled in the faith during law school. He led several small group Bible studies, taught adult Sunday school, and served as a ruling elder. About 10 years ago, Brown sensed an urge to leave law and devote himself to vocational service.

"I felt the Lord was calling me into full-time ministry," Brown said. "I started praying about the when and the where."

The First Presbyterian Church of Pooler, Ga., hired Brown to serve as associate pastor, and he simultaneously completed a master's degree in divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta. Brown then felt called to be a senior pastor and was put in touch with FRPC. Upon his hiring, Brown and his wife Ashley, along with their four young children, moved to Lancaster County. They live in the Refton area.

"We were looking for a place to be long term," Brown remarked. "My hope is that my kids will be graduating from high school with kids from the church. I'm hoping to provide that consistency."

As FRPC's senior pastor, Brown is responsible for preaching and overseeing Christian education and small group Bible studies. He works directly with the youth and music directors, provides pastoral counseling, and offers discipleship training.

"I want us to be a place where worship on Sundays is important, but where Bible study and Sunday school are important as well," Brown said. "I want us to grow in fellowship and to reach our community. We are 'a people saved by grace, trusting in God day by day while growing in awe of God in a community where we love one another and are overflowing with thankfulness,'" he added, quoting FRPC's motto.

Brown planned to begin 2021 by preaching through a book in the Bible. When he preaches, it is important to him to teach the text and to be practical, he said, adding, "I like to ask, 'How does it impact our lives, and how do we live for (God)?'"

FRPC holds Sunday worship services at 10:30 a.m. Guests may attend in person or watch the livestream at http://www.faithrpc.org. Sunday school materials are available online, and church leaders are discussing when to resume holding classes in person. For more information, readers may visit the website or call the church office at 717-786-7559.