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The last time Destrey Brown coordinated a local Christian gathering, it unfolded as a small get-together at Ninth Street Park.
Now, eight years later, the Columbus native is organizing a larger event — including people from multiple area churches and also including the local African American Pastors Alliance — in the form of a revival worship service at 6 p.m. Oct. 12 at Mill Race Park in downtown Columbus.
“The idea for this was given to me by the Holy Spirit in a dream in 2019,” said Brown, now living in Indianapolis with wife, Ashley, and their six children.
The Oct. 12 date coincides with the Jewish Day of Atonement, which Brown sees as a fitting time for calling for repentance. His basic theme will be “Come Hear the Good News.”
The 38-year-old musician and worship pastor at Diversity Church Indy will highlight that theme in worship music as well with friend Danny Green. Ever since the 38-year-old Brown was released from Branchville Correctional Facility for drug violations, he has said he was addicted to meth and heroin for much of 16 years and tried nearly everything to quit.
“Then I really got ahold of the recovery part of it,” he said before the Ninth Street Park event. “The renewal of my mind, and (also) Jesus was my X factor. I needed that supernatural power.”
He still frequently ministers to the addicted and expects to do so at Mill Race. In fact, he’s invited a number of addiction recovery groups to attend. Representatives from a mix of churches will offer a needed sense of unity “where they’re not concerned about denominations,” as he put it.
“We are thankful for those that have the heart of Jesus — to get beyond the walls and come together for the gospel,” he said, referring to churches from here to Indianapolis.
He has long been passionate about evangelization without religiosity or formality. That is reflected in a recent post on the event Facebook page for “Mill Race Revival.”
“This won’t be about our titles, our denominations, our church traditions, and/or just another religious experience,” he wrote “This will be solely dedicated to preaching the gospel, lifting up Jesus, reaching the lost, and loving one another.”
He also wants to make time near the end for an altar call and praying over area youth — students, athletes, you name it. He himself has teen daughters.
He has spent recent weeks networking with a range of other ministries coming together to help others. For example, Brandon Hemming of the local Simple Street Ministries will handle impromptu baptisms for those taking a new step of faith. Hemming and others with Simple Street have been baptizing new believers regularly in metal tubs for more than a year now.
“They are one of the greatest outreach ministries in Columbus,” Brown said.
Brown himself knows outreach. He and other members of his Indianapolis church go to the city’s circle to minister monthly by praying for passersby.
Pastor Mike Harris, the former leader of the African American Pastors Alliance, nurtured Brown spiritually when he was first released from Branchville. Even today, Brown calls Harris “my spiritual father,” and checks in with him every few months.
“His personal growth seems very good,” Harris said. “He seems to have matured even more.”
Harris hopes to be on hand Oct. 12 with many others. Brown understands that that day will be part of the Ethnic Expo international festival downtown. It would mean the world to him if he saw some people make time for both the expo and the revival.
He loves the idea of ministering in non-traditional settings where people naturally gather.
“Jesus,” he said, “was never trapped within the church’s four walls.”
About the event
What: Revival event at Mill Race Park.
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 12.
Where: Mill Race Park Amphitheatre, 50 Carl Miske Drive, Columbus.
Information: Facebook page for Mill Race Revival.
