LBC Echo Winter 2022 - 13

area where they both grew up about 40 minutes
away. This resulted in the Browns founding
together Perfecting Ministries that is now home
to The Perfecting Church and Loving Our Cities
in Sewell, N.J.
" Church planting wasn't in my vocabulary, "
remembers the LBC | Capital Master of Arts in
Ministry student. He sensed it involved something
like starting a Bible study that would grow into
something more. In April 2011, Kevin left his
position on the staff of his home church, and
The Perfecting Church held its first public service
that July.
" That first service was an overwhelming
confirmation of God's direction for our lives.
It was standing room only in the theatre and
people lining the hallways, " Kevin says as he
recalls the church's first meeting in a movie
theatre. By September 2011, Kevin attended a
church planting cohort in Texas. It was here he
started a conversation with a man sitting next
to him: Dr. James " Doc " Ayers ('80), now Faculty
Emeritus and Mentoring Professor within LBC's
Church & Ministry Leadership Department. It is
a conversation with a lasting impact.
" Having been a pastor in New Jersey for eight
years, we quickly realized we had many common
acquaintances and passions, " Doc says. " Our
friendship grew quickly and deeply with mutual
respect. His love abounds for God, his wife,
Angela, his community and the church he
shepherds. He is a man of integrity and influence,
locally and globally. I am most blessed to call
him my friend and brother. "
Through the growing friendship with Doc,
conversations and further connections, Kevin
decided he was ready to continue his own
education and learning at LBC | Capital.
" I had a hunger and pursuit to discern what God
was doing, " Kevin says as he reflects on that
decision. Additionally, in the back of his mind, he
remembers thinking how having those academic
credentials behind his name would further
strengthen his standing, especially as an African
American, where there are still some evangelical
spaces that are less than welcoming as he works
to impact lives, engage with the world and
transform communities.
At the same time, a synergy was continuing with
the church growth and community efforts, which
has included four additional church plants, two of
which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through his time at LBC | Capital, Kevin has found
his courses practical and engaging, as he could
immediately use his learning in the church and
community. He also found himself wrestling with
his own spiritual formation and identification in
Jesus through these courses. This, in itself, helped
Kevin gain clarity about his calling, gifts and skills.
His time at LBC | Capital has resulted in new
and developed relationships within the college
community as well. These relationships have also
opened the door for further global work that has
also included collaborations in the West Bank of
Israel and Bethlehem Bible College.
" My LBC journey included faculty who are
concerned, connected and desire to be with
those they teach, " he says. " At LBC, every student
has a professor desiring to help each person. "
His LBC journey doesn't end when he receives
his Masters of Arts in Ministry degree this summer.
In fact, he intends to continue his education
with a Doctor of Ministry and a desire to stay
connected beyond his education.
" I have a dream and desire to stay
rooted in the LBC community, "
Kevin says. " I hope to love and
give back as the professors at
LBC gave to me. "
If you're ready to take the next step
in your seminary education like Kevin,
visit lbc.edu/capital.
" My LBC
journey included
faculty who
are concerned,
connected and
desire to be with
those they teach.
At LBC, every
student has a
professor desiring
to help each
person. "
- Kevin Brown ('22)
ECHO 13
http://www.lbc.edu/capital
LBC Echo Winter 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of LBC Echo Winter 2022
