On Nov. 21, 2024, the Mid-America Union Conference Executive Committee voted to invite Elder Donna Brown to serve as women’s ministries director for the MAUC, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Brown has accepted the position to follow in the footsteps of her mentor Nancy Buxton, who retired from that position on December 31.
Brown was born and raised in Kansas to godly parents who helped ground her into her faith. At a young age she developed a love for ministry to God in any capacity, from feeding the flock with physical food to providing spiritual food through spoken words and music.
Following her graduation from Oakwood College (now University), Brown went on to receive certification in financial management and worked as a budget analyst for the US Department of Defense for 35 years.
During that time Brown said, she held “pretty much every position there is in a church” from music director to elder to treasurer to school board member to various ministry leaders. She also spoke at over 30 church events all across the Mid-America region and beyond. While serving as women’s ministry director for the Central States Conference, Brown organized countless workshops, conferences and retreats focusing on relationships and the power of prayer in one’s spiritual journey. She is also a published author.
Speaking about her new role with Mid-America Union, Brown said, “I want to make sure all cultures that we have in our union feel valued and they have a part of the mission work.” She sees the mission of women’s ministries as being To uplift and empower women of all ages through the grace and love of Jesus Christ. As sisters in faith, we are called to nurture, support and love one another. Through prayer and fellowship, we unite to glorify the name of Jesus.
Brown describes her vision this way:
* V: Visualize God’s divine plan for our lives
* I: Ignite a fervent prayer life
* S: Submit wholeheartedly to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ
* I: Include and guide those seeking direction
* O: Open our hearts to reflect Christ in all our actions
* N: Nurture and care for those who are neglected
MAUC president Gary Thurber said, “Donna is a powerhouse. Like Nancy Buxton, she is passionate about women’s ministries. She not only directed a successful women’s ministry program in her own conference, but has been a guest speaker for women ministry events throughout the NAD. We are fortunate and blessed to have a person with so much experience leading women’s ministries in our union.”
When explaining her potential plans and goals for women’s ministries in the coming years, Brown referred to her desire to host a podcast, create devotional books and cook books, host leadership conferences and prayer conferences, and possibly conduct a union-wide Hispanic women’s retreat. She said she prays for wisdom to know when to add or take away from initial plans. “I believe the Lord is carrying me in this position,” she stated.
One of Brown’s favorite Bible verses is Titus 2:7-8 and 11-13: “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”