Our Senior Pastor
Reverend Michael L. Brown was born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 11, 1979. The eldest of two children of Min. Eric and Sheila Brown, he grew up with a love and sense of compassion for others. As a young boy, he exemplified a spirit of devotion and cared for the needs of others more than his very own. His grandmother, the late, Mrs. Ordies Brown, was instrumental in rearing him up in the church and set the example that led him to Christ at a very young age.
Rev. Brown often jokes about his participation in all facets of the church, including: music ministry, youth ministry, VBS, Youth Ushers and several other auxiliaries at Holy Trinity Baptist Church, where he grew up, under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Henry J. Payden, Sr. He has had the privilege of traveling the country as a youth delegate at the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. and is known for his gift of music ministry as a Minister of Music throughout the City of Cleveland and considers himself to be a true worshipper.
Rev. Brown recognized at the age of 12, that God had called him to preach and although he had been extremely dedicated to the ministry of music, he eventually realized that this ministry was not a substitute for that calling but simply laying the foundation for where God was going to take his ministry.
Rev. Brown joined Israelite Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. D.A. Witcher. He became a leader in the ministry by becoming an ordained Deacon and the Operations Administrator, working with the pastor, as a member of the Administrative Team. While at Israelite, he met the love of his life, Minnette C. (Forrest) Brown and on July 18, 2009, the two were married. This union has been blessed with three children: D’Andre, Michael Christian and Taylor.
On Sunday, July 21, 2013, he answered God’s call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and became a licensed minister at Israelite Missionary Baptist Church, fulfilling what God had already declared and ordained on his life. In 2014, he and his family were led to Second St. John Baptist Church, under the pastorate of the late, Rev. John D. Jackson, Sr., where he served as the Minister of Music and an Associate Minister. While at Second St. John, Rev. Brown learned firsthand about pastoring and preaching. On November 25, 2016, Pastor Jackson passed, but his plan to elevate Rev. Brown moved forward and on June 25, 2017, he was ordained by Rev. J. Verles Branch, Assistant Pastor of the Gethsemane Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Richard T. Parker. In January of 2018, Rev. Brown and his family were led to Harvest Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Dontez D. Smith, where he served as an Associate Minister, member of the Administrative Ministry and a Director of the choir.
He is currently the Senior Director/VP of Human Resources for United Way of Greater Cleveland, a position he gladly accepted and began on March 1, 2022. In his role, he oversees and leads all of the Human Resource functions and services for the organization as well as advises the President/CEO and Board Members on key HR initiatives. He is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, Gamma Alpha Sigma Chapter, where he previously served as President, Vice President, and Secretary and is currently the Chapter’s Chaplain, overseeing the Sigma Cares Committee.
On February 23, 2020, Rev. Brown was called to Pastor, The Liberty Hill Baptist Church, as their seventh pastor. He and Lady Minnette are dedicated to the call of Christ and are ecstatic to be used by God at an awesome place with an awesome assignment.
Rev. Brown’s ministry is best accurately described in Isaiah 61:1-2, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek, he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”