Rebecca Davis

AFA Journal staff writer

Above, (left) Mark and Angie Brown and Justin Preston

July 2018 – “Music penetrates without permission.” Those are words Mark and Angie Brown will never forget.

“I don’t think we can give a better answer than that as to why music is such a powerful medium for evangelism,” Angie told AFA Journal.

The husband and wife team are founders of the South Carolina-based Brown Family Ministries that focuses on “loving people to Christ” mainly through music.

The ministry
“We have always said that music is the hub of our ministry, which often gives us the next step in beginning a relationship,” Angie said.

Relationships are key to effective ministry, and the Browns’ efforts to love others take on many different audiences.

For example, there was a time when BFM had a bull-riding ministry in which they used guitar “pickins” and cookouts to get to know the bull riders, barrel racers, and stock contractors. As part of their prison ministry, the family uses Johnny Cash tunes to get the inmates’ attention. As they connect to what’s familiar, they become more willing to listen to the Browns share the gospel message.

“We have discovered that people desperately need and want to be loved,” Angie explained. “Our greatest passion is to love people in the name of Christ.”

BFM often functions in partnership with other ministries. Such partnerships include leading worship for conferences and churches including seminars at the Billy Graham Training Center in Asheville, North Carolina; being involved in evangelistic outreach events to international students, military veterans, and communities; traveling out West for an annual prison tour; leading monthly chapel services at a local rescue mission for the homeless; providing music for a local recovery program for women; and serving on Indian reservations.

“When we are not traveling, we spend time with those the Lord puts in our paths to encourage and disciple as instructed in His Word,” Angie added.

The beginning
Mark was in the secular workforce until 2003, when the Lord opened a door for him to become a worship music associate at a Baptist church in South Carolina. Music had always been a part of the family, and they eventually formed a family band. Mark resigned from his position at the church in 2009 so the band could enter new arenas of ministry.

“We sold our home and major belongings and started Brown Family Ministries,” Angie said.

Since then, BFM has recorded and released four albums including their most recent project titled “Hope is Found” – a collection of four hymns of the faith and six original songs. Other album titles include “The Brown Family,” “Erin Elizabeth,” and “A Brown Family Christmas.”

Until recently, BFM included Mark and Angie, daughter Erin and her husband Peter, and daughter Meagan and her husband Caleb. However, the Lord led their daughters and sons-in-law into different areas of ministry.

Now, Justin Preston is Mark and Angie’s self-proclaimed adopted son who serves alongside them in BFM. The three of them wear many hats: Mark is executive director, vocalist, and guitarist. Angie tends to the business side of the ministry and maximizes her passion for relational discipleship. Justin is the drummer and media tech.

“People need to hear and experience the love and the hope that is found in Christ,” Angie said. “The Lord continues to direct us to places to share that hope and to love people to Christ. So, in obedience to His call, we continue to fulfill the ministry that He has called us to.”  

Brown Family Ministries
P.O. Box 638
Travelers Rest, SC 29690
864-610-2239
brownfamilyministries.org