Connecting Faith & Life with Mister Brown

What’s the one skill that will really help you reach students? In this episode, I share why authenticity, personal faith, and truly listening matter more than trying to be cool or relatable. I talk about setting healthy boundaries, why respect still matters, and how understanding a student’s story can completely change how you connect with them.  This conversation is for ministry leaders, parents,...

I’ve learned that if something matters, you protect it. That’s why I believe kids need to hide God’s Word in their hearts. In this video, I share why teaching memory verses matters, how Psalm 119:11 has shaped my ministry, and a simple five-step method I’ve used through CEF and in my own church. I also walk through 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 and show how hand motions and engaging activities help kids...

In this episode of Connecting Faith and Life, I’m reflecting on a new year, a new season, and a word God has placed on my heart for 2026: intentionality. I share prayer requests, gratitude for God’s faithfulness, and why we launched our new Rooted and Ready series. I also talk honestly about rhythms, spiritual growth, stewarding time well, and what it really means to be found faithful. This isn’t...

In this podcast episode, I share a brief recap of our Advent series and introduce a brand new 30 day devotional series called Rooted and Ready, launching January 1st. It’s built around 30 Bible verses that have shaped my faith, and I hope they help shape yours too. Watch now, reflect with me, and ask yourself this question: What is my life really rooted in? 👉 Join the Rooted and Ready series on Y...

In this final Advent reflection, Andrea Brown and I sit down to look at Scripture with fresh eyes. Psalm 72, Isaiah’s prophecy, Micah’s shepherd-King, Luke’s upside-down birth narrative, and the hope of Romans 5 all point us to the same truth: Jesus is the King we’ve always longed for. As we talk, I’m reminded how much we all need real peace and how deeply it matters that we find it in Him. If you...

This week, let’s reflect on what it really means to fear the Lord, not to be scared of God, but to honor Him with a reverent love that shapes how we live. Andrea and I also share how music, repetition, and different Bible translations (like the NET Bible) help us go deeper into God’s forgiveness, His love, and the hope of Advent. If you’ve ever wondered how fear, love, peace, and joy all work toge...

This week in our Advent series Songs of the First Christmas, my wife and I sat with Mary’s song, and I was reminded how often God works through the overlooked. Mary didn’t fully understand God’s plan, but she still said, “Let it be to me according to your word.” Her trust challenges me. Am I willing to say the same, even when life feels chaotic? Even when God’s plan doesn’t line up with my expecta...

In this episode of Connecting Faith and Life, we’re kicking off a brand-new Advent series called “Songs of the First Christmas.” Each week, we slow down with Scripture through readings, prayers, and reflections. Andrea Brown and I share how we read, reflect, and respond to the Bible, and why listening has become such a big part of hearing God speak to my heart. This week, we focus on hope, especia...

As my family and I walk through Advent, I’m reminded how easy it is to rush past the season without really slowing down.  In this video, my wife Andrea Brown and I share why Advent: The Songs of the First Christmas matters — and how these scriptures, prayers, and simple rhythms help us pay attention to Jesus’ first coming and prepare our hearts for His return. This reflection invites honest questi...

I’m excited to share the relaunch of the Connecting Faith and Life podcast. After a recent loss in our church family and a fresh reflection on Psalm 90:12, I felt God nudging me to return with a renewed focus—helping kids and teens connect faith with real life, and supporting the adults who disciple them. In this episode, I talk about my heart for teaching kids, my role at VC Family Church, and wh...

Life can change in an instant. In this heartfelt episode of Connecting Faith and Life, I share two major updates—one very unexpected and personal, and another that marks a new chapter for Proclaim Ministries. First, I open up about a serious hand injury that required surgery and recovery. What began as an ordinary morning suddenly turned into an ER visit, stitches, and weeks of physical therapy. Y...

There is a story in the Bible that shook me, but still gives me hope. [0:00] Intro [0:40] Proclaim News [5:20] Keep moving forward [16:45] Final thoughts Bible verses: Romans 5:6-8 Become a Proclaim Partner Ministry News and Prayer Requests Please pray for new editors as one of our editors, Noah, is going off to college and has been doing an amazing job editing the podcast. We also invite you to s...

Are you weak, strong, or wise? You can be all of those things through God alone. [0:00] Intro [3:20] Helping teens with social media [9:00] Proclaim Kids Ministry [14:30] Weak, strong, or wise? Bible verses: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 Colossians 1:16    Become a Proclaim Partner   Sign up for our weekly email   Get the Proclaim Ministries app   Ask a question Challenges of Social Media and Cell Phones On...

Are you too distracted, busy, arrogant, or lazy to spend time with God everyday? This is not a guilt trip, but a gracious invitation to spend time with the Creator of the universe. [0:00] Intro [1:00] Do what you know [6:00] Join the club [14:00] Be sharpened Bible Verses: James 4:8 Mark 1:35 Luke 10:38-42  Proverbs 27:17 We have all been there. We get distracted or busy and put our personal time...

In this podcast, I reflect on the temptation to worry and the importance of seeking God as the source of all things. I also discuss the concept of trusting God and the peace that comes from giving our worries to Him. [0:00] Intro [2:50] Worry about nothing [10:00] Help kids not to worry [13:00] Philippians 4:6 memory verse [14:50]  Bible Verse: Philippians 4:6-7 Philippians 4:6 memory verse At tim...

What does it actually mean to have a relationship with God? All relationships need to be defined and that is especially important for your relationship with Jesus Christ. But who gets to decide the level of commitment in your relationship with the one true God? Jesus does. [0:00] Intro [0:53] The power of prayer [5:35] What is “doing good”? [8:45] Jesus defines the relationship [18:45] Final thoug...

Are you being programmed by social media? Whether you believe it or not, what you consume is influencing your affections for God. [0:00] Intro [2:00] Proclaim News [6:30] Are you being programmed? [10:00] Bible verses to set your mind on God [17:00] Final thoughts Bible verses: Colossians 3:1-2  Hebrews 12:1-2  Philippians 4:8 Ask a question Proclaim Kids Ministry   Become a Proclaim Partner Andre...

Would you want to go to heaven if God wasn’t there? That’s a question we’ll consider in this podcast episode. [0:00] Intro [1:00] The Proclaim Ministries app and YouTube channels [4:00] Stories from VBS [5:50] 5 ways to get kids’ attention without yelling [12:15] Thought of the Day  [17:05] Final thoughts Bible verse: Psalm 73 Become a Proclaim Ministries Partner Get our app Subscribe to the YouTu...

Do you ever feel misunderstood? That can be discouraging. I want to assure you that God knows and loves you. [0:00] Three messages [1:00] Become a Proclaim Partner [1:50] VBS recap [4:30] Joshua 1:9 memory verse [12:30] Was God wrong? [16:45] Do you feel misunderstood? Bible verses: Joshua 1:9 Matthew 27:46 2 Corinthians 5:21  1 Samuel 16:7 1 John 1:9 Become a Proclaim Partner Bible memory verses...

Do you believe God’s story? Be careful with the stories you tell yourself and what narratives you are projecting onto others. Learn to live in freedom and trust in God's promises. [0:00] The stories we tell ourselves [3:40] Do you believe God’s story? Bible verses Proverbs 3:5-6 Hebrews 10:23 Numbers 13:33 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all...

Is God’s way better? I think so. While human ways may seem more convenient, God's way is always better, even if it is not always easy. [0:00] Intro [1:30] Is God’s way better? [11:30] Practical tips for choosing God’s way [15:45] Final thoughts Bible Verses: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Proverbs 3:5-6   Forrest Frank, “Your Way’s Better”   There are many examples in the Bible of people choosing thei...

Why should I thank God? My life is horrible. Learn how to stay grateful and grounded despite life's challenges. [0:00] Intro [0:45] Thanking God despite challenges [4:00] Compassion for pain [11:00] Avoid false narratives Bible Verses: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Numbers 13:33 Life’s struggles can make it difficult to want to thank God.  Sometimes the stories we tell ourselves and the narratives...

What is our greatest need? Our concept of God shapes everything we do and how we interact with others, including seeing people as image bearers of God. [0:00] Seeing God rightly [2:15] Our greatest need [11:30] Practical steps to know God Bible verses: Isaiah 6:1-3 Romans 1:21-25 Jeremiah 29:13 Philippians 3:7-10 “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about...

How can you trust God even through the tough times? I will share three key practices you can start today. [0:00] How to keep trusting God [3:45] How to trust God when… [10:45] 3 ways to trust God more [20:30] Final thoughts Bible Verses: Proverbs 3:5-6 Psalm 119:105 Romans 12:1-2 Psalm 1:1-3 Psalm 103:19 Romans 8:28 Psalm 145:3 As Christians, we know how important it is to rely on God's under...

Do you trust God? Theoretically, you probably do. But do you trust God in your daily life or do you find yourself bogged down by the stresses of the world? [0:00] Do you trust God? [4:00] When you worry [10:30] How to trust God [19:30] Final thoughts Bible verses: Proverbs 3:5-6 Matthew 6:25-34 Psalm 73 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your...