Legacy

FAITH AFTER DEATH

BY DEYVY RODRIGUEZ

“We believe that when God tells us to move, we need to move,” said Dr. Encil Brown, “even though we can’t understand, even though we can’t see where He is taking us, if He wants us to move, and if we move, we will see the miracles.”

Indeed, in 2010, Dr. Brown, along with about 30 members of the Edinburg Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Texas believed that God was calling them to move by faith and plant an Englishspeaking church in Mission, Texas. With the blessing of the Edinburg church board, the Mission Hope Seventh-day Adventist Church began as a small group that met in a local theater for their first evangelistic meetings. After two new members chose to be baptized, the group rented a facility where they could worship and continue their evangelistic plans. With their desire to have a permanent building of their own, they prayed for a clear direction. Soon after, they found a church for sale. While the building was not perfect and would require renovations, they believed they were led to this place. With the help of the Seventh-day Adventist state headquarters, they were able to obtain a loan to purchase the building.

By this time, Dr. Brown was leading the congregation as the lay pastor of the church. One day, he began Bible studies with a former Episcopalian minister who was interested in learning more about the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The minister was moved during his studies and decided to join the church through baptism. With his love for Jesus, for His church, and for the advancement of the gospel in mission, this gentleman felt impressed to do more. What he did was an act of love and faith that will forever be remembered.

“He wasn’t quite sure what he was going to do with his resources,” said Dr. Brown, “but after coming to the church and seeing the social services for the community, he decided to name the Mission Hope Seventh-day Adventist Church on his Will as beneficiary of all that he owned at the time of his death. He passed away a little over a year ago. He left his house with three acres, a piece of land with ten acres, and he left a Trust that holds over two million dollars for the church.”

Pastor Brown believes that God had a plan for Mission Hope and continues to guide it. “I believe that God placed this gentleman in our path so that his resources could be used for God’s mission in Mission. We have now paid our mortgage, and we intend to help other Seventh-day Adventist Churches in need,” he said.

Hebrews tells us that, “He died, but through his faith he is still speaking.” Let the Texas Conference Planned Giving and Trust Services Department help you create an estate plan with a faith that will speak even after death.

Visit issuu.com/texasadventist to watch a video testimonial about this story.