No Time For Abe Brown To Sit Down

Published: Dec 24, 2007

Tampa Poet Laureate James Tokley chooses his words carefully and this is how he describes the Rev. Abe Brown: "the coach of men, of the community and of the hopeless."

Few in this city have so distinguished a life of service and devotion to his fellow man as Brown, who is retiring as senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of College Hill.

He is a leader in all respects: a one-time football star turned coach on the field, a teacher in public schools and a preacher in the church pews and prison cells.

A calming influence in troubled times, Brown well served his hometown in times of need, bringing the city to its senses after racial turmoil broke out.

His prison ministry began after a former teammate was charged with murder. Brown wondered what he might have done differently to redirect the young man.

He made it a mission to help other inmates, and there's no telling how many thousands of lives his ministry has touched and saved. It's a devotion he plans to continue in his so-called retirement.

Brown, 80, has overcome the challenges of poverty, segregation and cancer, and tells the Tribune's Michelle Bearden he plans to keep on keeping on.

Brown was there when this community needed him, and make no mistake about it, we still need him.

A tip of the hat to this retiring soul, who continues to lead by word and example.