Meet Revd Jonathan Brown
Jonathan Brown has been ordained deacon to serve an internship in Dromore Cathedral:
I was brought up in Dundonald before moving to Newtownards in my early twenties. I thank the Lord that I was raised and nurtured within a Christian family who gave me a solid foundation and a place to ask questions about faith. I attended an independent church in Belfast and at a young age gave my life to Jesus. As a youngster, I was very involved in Sunday School, Youth Church and the Boys Brigade and so the whole of my upbringing helped instil a deep sense that everything should centre around Jesus as my Lord and saviour – that in him there is forgiveness, grace and joy.
At Queen’s I took a degree in Biblical Studies, followed by a Masters in Theology. The friendships I made with other students and lecturers, some of whom were Anglican, helped set me on a path which would eventually lead me to the Church of Ireland. I found a wonderful church family at St Mark’s, Newtownards, who have supported and encouraged me every step of the way as I have discerned God’s call on my life to ordained ministry.
As the full–time training in Dublin at CITI has progressed my eyes have been drawn to the next stage of the adventure – ordination to the diaconate and serving on a placement at Dromore Cathedral. I am really looking forward to getting to know everyone, getting my sleeves rolled up, and growing to know the Lord more deeply alongside all at the Cathedral. So that as we learn together we can better reach out with the love of God which first found us.
A verse of Scripture which has become very important to me is Zephaniah 3:17: “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (NIV) This is our God – a mighty saviour who delights in his children and being in their midst.
View a photogallery of the candidates and bishops here.
View a Facebook album of the service here.