On Tuesday, February 4, we learned that a friend, faithful servant, and RTS alumni, Rev. John Browne, passed on to glory. John was a husband, father, and grandfather. He left his earthly home at the age of 67 following a heart attack. He served as an MNA Disaster Response Specialist through Sheds of Hope, a ministry that helps families after natural disasters by equipping churches to respond.
John was born January 29, 1953 in Lisserluss, Northern Ireland. He and Betsy were married for 41 years and raised three children, David, Kathleen, and Daniel, and were grandparents to five grandchildren.
Phillip Holmes, Vice President for Institutional Communications, was close to the family. Phillip and John’s youngest son, Daniel, have been close friends since they were students at Belhaven and were each best man at one another’s wedding. Holmes said, “John was one of the nicest men I’ve had the pleasure of encountering. He was always full of joy and enjoyed spreading that joy to others. But most importantly, he loved the Lord and his family. If you want to know who a man really is, how his wife and family speak of him reveals the type of man he strived to be. John was deeply loved and respected by his family and lived to lay down his life for others. Not only am I grateful to have known him personally, but I’m also grateful to be working at the institution that prepared him for a life of ministry.”
John’s heart for the Lord was evident by the way he spoke about his work with Sheds of Hope, “Each storm is a mission field, and I am continually convinced that I am called to give my best help to those in need and to find new ways to reach those who do not yet know our wonderful Savior. Unprecedented storms have greatly increased these opportunities.” John’s presence will be missed, but the impact of his life for the church and kingdom will continue.
John was a 1989 graduate of Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson. A memorial service will be held at Park Cities Presbyterian on Monday, February 10, at 1 pm.
Please remember Betsy, his children, grandchildren, and other loved ones in your prayers.