Connecting Faith & Life with Mister Brown

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...

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...

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...

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 behalf...

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...

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...

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...

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 questio...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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? [0:00] Advent recap [4:25] NEW 30 Day Se...

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...

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...

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 the hard way that ministry can drain you if you never stop to refuel. In this video, I wrestle with a question many leaders feel guilty even asking: Should you ever put yourself first?  Using Scripture, personal experience, and the reminder to stay connected to the Source, I talk about avoiding burnout, abiding in Christ, and why ministry should always flow from time with God, not rep...

I don’t usually get excited before something happens. I protect my expectations. But once something is finished, I celebrate. That’s exactly what this episode is about. I’m celebrating the completion of Rooted and Ready, a 30-day journey through Scripture designed to help grow your faith and transform your life. In this episode of Connecting Faith and Life, I share why this series matters to me, h...

I once helped my wife repot a plant, moving it from a small pot into a bigger one so it could keep growing. That simple moment reminded me of something deeper about how we work with kids and teenagers. Too often, we label people based on who they used to be instead of giving them space to grow. Just like plants need room for their roots, people need grace, patience, and space to grow. In this epis...

What’s love got to do with it? In this Connecting Faith & Life episode, I wrestle with a simple but life-changing question: Which definition of love are you living by? On Valentine’s Day, culture tells us love is a feeling. Chemistry. Romance. But Scripture tells us something deeper. In this video, I talk about how love doesn’t start with us. It starts with God. God doesn’t just show love. God is...

Did you watch the Super Bowl? Did you see the halftime show or the alternative broadcast from Turning Point USA? In this episode of Connecting Faith and Life, I take a different angle on the controversy surrounding Bad Bunny, the NFL, and the cultural reactions that followed. Instead of debating sides, I ask a deeper question: Are we trying to clean up the world or point people to Jesus? As believ...

In part two, I talk honestly about the Super Bowl controversy, halftime shows, and the bigger question we all need to ask: just because something is lawful, is it beneficial? I’m not here to give you a list of what to watch or not watch. I’m asking the question that has challenged me deeply: Does this glorify God? Does it stir my affection for Christ or steal it? We have freedom as believers. But...

In this episode of Connecting Faith & Life, I’m sharing a message that hit home for a lot of parents when I first recorded it a few years ago. I spend a lot of time in schools, churches, and classrooms talking with kids and I hear the conversations they’re having. The truth is simple: our kids are listening to loud voices every day. Social media, friends, and the internet are shaping their thinkin...

In this message, I reflect on a powerful truth: we grieve the loss, but we remember the gift with gratitude. Recently, our community gathered to celebrate the life of Susan “Suzie” Smith—a woman whose compassion, courage, and decades of nursing changed countless lives. Over 1,000 people came together to honor her legacy, her faith, and her impact. As I share memories, scripture, and the hope we cl...

As a parent, I try to be careful about what my kids eat physically. But this week I started asking myself a deeper question: What are they consuming spiritually? In this video, I share a simple moment from Sunday school that can turn into an important conversation for parents. When I asked the kids what song they woke up with in their heads, the answers reminded me how powerful music really is. So...