Biographical sketch of Reverend Keith E. Brown, Jr.
          Keith E. Brown, Jr., met Judy (Austin) Brown in Phoenix, AZ, where Judy was attending college and Keith was enlisted in the Navy.  They were married in May of 1965.  Their first two daughters, Sheila, now age 37, and Lori, age 35, were born there.  They moved to Michigan in 1972.  Roxanne, now 29, was born in 1975.  Shortly after Roxanne’s birth, they moved to Holt, MI.  It was at that time that Judy joined St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Holt.  Through the church’s ongoing evangelism program, Keith came to faith in Christ in 1979 and was baptized into the Church.
          Judy and Keith both became active in the evangelism program at St. Matthew, and Keith was given the opportunity to go to Malawi, Africa, for a six-week evangelism experience.  While in Africa, Keith felt led by the Lord to become a full-time evangelistic missionary and trainer.  On Sept. 3, 1984, the entire Brown family left for Westbank, BC, Canada, for a seven-month call to train Redeemer Lutheran Church members.
          They returned in April, 1985, and then left in Dec., 1985 for Manila, Philippines.  While all five Browns made the initial trip, Sheila and Lori returned to US to continue their education at Concordia College, Ann Arbor, in June of 1987, Sheila in nursing and Lori in Teaching.  While in the Philippines, the Browns trained over 600 people in 50 churches for the next 3 ½ years.
While in the Philippines, Keith felt that the Lord was leading him in the direction of obtaining more training, so in June, 1989, they returned to Milwaukee, WI, for a two year lay ministry course at Concordia, Mequon.  During this time, Keith served as an intern at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Milwaukee.  Keith graduated in May, 1991, and became eligible for an appointment. 
          In January of 1992, Keith accepted a call to Immanual Lutheran Church in Lyons, Texas.  After serving this congregation for 3 ½ years, a decision was made to come to St Louis and participate in the Colloquy program at Concordia Seminary.  He served as a field worker at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Troy, IL, and as a vicar at St Peter’s Church in Caseyville, IL, until April of 2000.  St Peters extended an official call to him in October of 1999, leading to his ordination on April 2, 2000.
          During those 4 years, besides pastoring the church, Keith served as chairman of a committee which was instrumental in starting a Christian Day School in E. St. Louis and, at the District’s request, spearheaded an Hispanic ministry in Fairmont City.  Judy was the Site Manager for a Senior Nutrition Program in Cahokia.  The Browns now reside in Rock Hill SC and have six grandchildren.
          Keith by the grace of God started Emmanuel Lutheran in Rock Hill. The first Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in upstate South Carolina. Through a grant from “Ablaze “they are expanding to Lake Wylie, Clover area.

Emmanuel Lutheran Church now owns 4.7 acres on Hollis Lakes Rd. in Rock Hill SC. They have a modular building that provides a permanent worship center.