By Holly Jo Linzay, Regional Reporter
DUBACH, La. (LBM)–Mike Brown believes his footsteps into a life of glorifying the Lord through music were ordered by God at an early age, pointing to a path that began in the fifth grade with drum lessons that led to a full-time ministry of leading worship at the same church for the last 40 years.
The First Baptist Church of Dubach recently honored Brown and Lynda, his wife, with an anniversary ceremony celebrating his four decades of service at the church.
“They gave us quite an outpouring of love,” Brown said. “This has been our home. We’ve raised our children in this church, and this church is our family. They have been an answer to prayer.”
Cory Bruce, pastor of First Dubach, said the church wanted to recognize this milestone in Brown’s life to honor his legacy in the church and in the community.
“Mike has been a testament to me and an inspiration. He’s been faithful to the call of the Lord. Mike is a great example of the kind of faithfulness you need in the ministry,” Bruce said.
During the anniversary celebration, Bruce said several people who served with Brown through the years offered stories and memories about him.
“Anytime we want to do outreach or evangelism, we always go through Mike. He knows everyone in Dubach and knows the family histories. Mike loves the community and he loves the church,” Bruce added.
Dubach, a town with a population of about 900 people, is north of Ruston.
Bruce recalled first working with Brown in ministry when he was the youth pastor at FBC Dubach in the 1990s. “Mike has always been faithful to serve where God has called him to serve,” he said, adding that Brown has been the music minister when the church had 270 active members and when it had struggled with 40 members. The church currently has about 120 active members, the pastor said.
Barry Joyner, the director of missions for Concord Union Baptist Association, echoed his sentiments about Brown. “Mike is a true church servant. There is no task below him or nothing he would not attempt to do for the kingdom of God,” Joyner said.
Through the years, Joyner said he has witnessed the love Bruce has for people, and how he shows the love of Christ in the community, “Mike has a humble spirit. He has such a willingness to assist and serve. I’ve not known any better servant,” Joyner said.
Brown downplayed what he has done for folks in the community and instead directed the credit to Christ.
“The 40 years here at Dubach have gone by so fast. But I’m blessed to be here,” Brown said.
A special feeling rises in his heart, he said, when he gazes at his choir now and sees young people who are the children of his former youth group members. Through the decades, while also music minister, Brown, at different times, taught Sunday School and training union, served as youth pastor and senior adults minister.
He is quite connected with the community.
After graduating from Quachita Parish High School in 1959, Brown received a $25 semester college scholarship. A percussionist, Brown majored in band at Northeast Louisiana State College. He met Lynda, a music major, and the two married.
After college graduation, Brown worked as a band director at various schools in Northeast Louisiana. It was while he was a band director at Mangham High School that Brown was asked to lead a revival as the worship leader.
“I somehow made it through that,” Brown recalled, adding it was the first time he had considered a music ministry.
But at age 26, Brown said he had a life-changing revelation.
“I had gone to a revival and realized I had never accepted Christ. I had been a training union director and was teaching a youth class, and I was lost as a goose. I had no idea what a profession of a faith was. I walked down the aisle and accepted Christ at age 26,” Brown said.
In 1978, Brown surrendered to full-time ministry, and he started taking vocal lessons at the college.
At FBC Dubach, Brown said he led the worship team, the adult choir, the youth choir and even started a children’s choir. In the 1980s, the church ordained him.
At 78 years old, Brown said he does not have any plans to retire. “I do not take any meds. I’m healthy, active and I mow about three yards. I want to continue to be faithful to do what the Lord has called me to do.”
