Above, Jody, Kathy, and Charlie
By Mason Beasler, AFA Journal intern
September 2018 – “I was slapped with the realization that God has no grandkids.”
Jody Brown recalls that thought from 1974, the year he realized he could no longer ride his parents’ coattails. His faith in Jesus Christ had become his own, and he has been pursuing God’s plan for his life ever since.
As a part of the AFA family for more than 18 years, Brown is now editor of OneNewsNow.com, American Family Radio’s daily e-news service.
Brown answered the following questions for AFA Journal.
AFA Journal: How did you come to faith in the Lord?
Jody Brown: I was raised by a Christian couple, with my dad working as an ordained minister in the Disciples of Christ denomination. I was baptized when in primary school, but it wasn’t until I was 20 years old, after several years of “rebelling,” that I realized that everyone must make a personal commitment to Christ.
While in college, I had an encounter with what are now my life verses: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” I knew right then and there that I did not want the Lord to “spit me out” (Revelation 3:15-16).
AFAJ: Where did you work before AFA?
JB: For 20 years, I worked as a technical editor and writer for two non-profit research and development companies. I entered that line of work after college when I came up empty seeking work as a newspaper journalist in southern New Mexico. Remarkably, both of those positions gave me years of preparation for what I do at AFA – taking others’ writing and editing it for general consumption.
AFAJ: How did you first learn about AFA?
JB: For several years, I had felt God wanted to use the skills He had given me to bring Him glory. So I began putting out feelers. I used Intercristo (ChristianJobs.com), a Christian website.
Honestly, I had never heard of AFA or AFR. But via Intercristo, the AFA webmaster contacted me to discuss interviewing for a position to provide news content for afa.net. Being a long-time “news junkie” with a journalism degree, of course I was interested, but had my doubts about moving all the way to Mississippi.
AFAJ: Why did you choose to come to AFA?
JB: The move required much prayer, but because the Lord opened the door, my wife and I decided to walk through it. We had a deep desire to make a difference for Christ. I know that sounds like a cliché, but it’s actually how we felt.
We decided that regardless of where God placed us, we would enjoy it.
AFAJ: What makes AFA different than other workplaces?
JB: The staff begins every workday with a time of devotion and prayer. Unless one has worked in the secular workplace, it is difficult to understand what a blessing it is to start every day in time with the Lord.
AFAJ: Do you have any hobbies or other interests?
JB: What I am passionate about isn’t a hobby – it’s a calling – encouraging strong, Christ-centered marriages. My wife and I have been facilitating a couples Sunday school class at our church for more than seven years. I am often convinced that this ministry, not my work at AFA, is why God brought us to Mississippi. 
