‘Journey’ begins for new pastor

Rev. Eric Brown has a problem many of us would like to have: He looks young.

At the ripe old age of 37, Brown could easily pass for a man 10 years younger. But as the new pastor of Journey United Methodist Fellowship, a growing, thriving church in Maricopa, he’s a perfect fit.

“In the United Methodist Church, we have a bishop who appoints us, or sends us, to churches that need our skills and abilities,” Brown said. “Our bishop feels like my gifts and skills match the needs of the Maricopa fellowship, which is new, full of life and full of possibility.”

Brown is stepping into the shoes vacated by Rev. Kevin Kloster, a popular leader at Journey and in the community. He hopes to build on what Kloster has started.

“I think Kevin is taking his shoes with him; I pray that I can find important niches to fill, just as he did,” Brown said. “I do have some similar interests as Kevin does, especially in chaplaincy to public service folks. And I have a lot of experience in civic organizations, such as chamber of commerce and the Rotary Club.”

Before coming to Maricopa, Brown served churches in the areas of Atlanta, Portland and eastern Idaho. Now, settling into Maricopa, he feels right at home.

“It’s an oasis in the desert,” Brown said. “Our first trip out here we drove through desert, with the mountains on one side and scrub on the other, wondering what was up ahead. And then ‘bang!’ You’re here. The place, like our church, is full of possibility and life.”

Brown is married with two children under the age of 5, with whom he loves spending time. He also is into mountain biking, running, skiing, hiking and camping. He’s also an Air Force chaplain, and currently serves in the Arizona Air National Guard.

Journey United Methodist Fellowship is a little more than a year old, having held its first service on Easter Sunday in 2009. They currently meet at Santa Rosa Elementary School in the Tortosa neighborhood. Brown hopes to one day have a brick and mortar church, but for now, he’s thrilled to be part of a growing congregation.

“What really excites me about Maricopa is this opportunity we have here to make a community that is absolutely fantastic. Right now, after the housing crisis and the initial growing pains are passing, we – the people who live in Maricopa – have the opportunity to make a community, one where we know our neighbors and the kids play in the corner park, a place where you would be missed if you left and you can’t imagine leaving; we have this beautiful opportunity. I’m excited to be here, now, when there is so much possibility.”

Photo by Jim Williams

(A version of this article appeared in the July InMaricopa News)