Where they serve: The Brown family is centered in Painesville, Ohio, a small suburb of Cleveland!
How they got there: Alan started working with Camino Global over 25 years ago! Camino Global is dedicated to supporting outreach in minority communities. Alan was originally assigned to central Mexico in 1995. In 2011, the Brown family was reassigned to a small Cleveland suburb. Even though the area of Painesville, Ohio is much different than Mexico, Alan says the need for Jesus is still the same. They have loved being there and love the members of the community dearly!! They have built relationships with many families, couples, individuals, and children over their time of ministry in Painesville.
What they do: Alan and Phyllis head up a variety of outreach programs that target the hispanic community in the Cleveland area. They have planted a Spanish-speaking church in a neighborhood near a lot of the individuals and families that they are attempting to build relationships with. Even though it is still a fairly young church, they have already seen immense growth in their congregation and lots of disciplement opportunities arise!! They also reach out to the children in the community by putting on soccer camps and Vacation Bible Schools!
How our paths crossed: In February of my freshman year of college, I started volunteering my time with the high school ministry at McKinney Church in Fort Worth. I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the adult leaders on this trip with one of the Student Pastors, the summer intern, and another small group leader! We brought a student team of 12 students to Ohio to work with the Brown family. Our team quickly fell in love with Alan, Phyllis, and their children. I connected with two of the daughter and got the privilege to hear their stories and their plans for where they wanted their lives to go. Over our week in Ohio, we got to work with Camino Global on putting on a soccer camp and VBS for the local children. I remember the morning of the first day of camp...it was pouring rain!! The kids didn't seem to mind as they elected to run through the puddles and dance in the rain. It was a moment of seeing pure joy on God's children's faces...I will never forget that day! On the first day of camp, I was assigned the 5 year old group (sounds fun, right?!) and one little girl, Micah, quickly stole my heart. The next 4 days of camp were filled with me holding her hand, letting her ride on my shoulders so she could be taller than everyone else, and playing countless games of hide-and-seek. Our final day of the mission trip, we traveled to Niagara Falls and got to see one of the most incredible views I had ever experienced! Looking at the beauty of God's creation was enough to bring you to you knees.
Long term vision: The Brown family has a deep desire to see their friends and neighbors come to know Jesus. They long to see their recently planted church continue to grow in number and in depth of relationship. Alan and Phyllis cannot wait to see what incredible things their children achieve in their lives!
How you can help: Alan and Phyllis are an incredible couple with an incredible dream to see their community come to Jesus. You can read more about them on the Camino Global website, http://www.caminoglobal.org/about/brown. If you are a praying person, you can pray for these things for this ministry: for God to continue to move in the hearts of Hispanic individuals in the Painesville area, for blessing in the church that the Brown family is planting, and for vision in how to continue to reach their community!
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