First United Methodist Church of East Brewton has welcomed a new shepherd to tend the flock.

Brother Mike Brasher arrived on June 21, to lead the congregation in worship as its regular pastor and brings with him lessons learned through the school of hard knocks.

Brasher was not raised in the church. His father died before he was born in Anniston, and he spent his early years with his grandparents in Cleburne County. He later went to live with his mother and step-father in Marietta, Ga. Right after high school graduation, he joined the military and worked security in the U.S. Air Force for the next five years.

“I was not involved in any church at the time,” he said. “I was married to my wife, Julie, in 1985 and in 1988 we lost a daughter, Kelly, who was stillborn. It was the worse thing to happen in my life.

“My wife tried to get me to go to church with her, but I wanted nothing to do with the church,” he said. “Finally, I agreed to go with her and it changed my life around. The Lord delivered me from my addiction to drugs and alcohol. He called me to service and at first I thought it would be in missionary work.”

He did a little missionary work but in 1990, he got his first job of preaching in a small country church in Cleburne County, not very far from where he had lived with his grandparents. He stayed there for about three years and then was the associate pastor of an Assembly of God church for about four years.

“God called me back to the Methodist Church and I was the pastor in Talladega for the next four years, until I got back into military security for a few years,” he said.

“When I hurt my shoulder I had to quit that job, but the church in Talladega wanted me back for another four years of service,” he said.

“Then I came here,” he added. “I never thought I would feel as welcome anywhere as I did in Talladega, but the people here in East Brewton have welcomed me with open arms. I already love it here. People have brought food, boiled peanuts, blueberries and all sorts of things by the parsonage.”

Brother Brasher’s face lights up when he is talking about his family. He has a daughter, Sherie, who is married to a policeman in Jacksonville. They have two daughters, Morgan, who is 14, and Kenzie, who is nine years old. They are the pride and joy of their grandfather. Morgan is, according to her grandfather, a top-notch basketball player.

“I am very proud of the fact that I went back to college at Jacksonville State and graduated the same time my daughter did,” he said. “In fact, she was pregnant with Morgan at the time, so I guess she graduated too.”

Brother Brasher said that he wants the people of the area to know that if they want to be a part of a church family, they are welcome to come to East Brewton and join the members there.

“We have a food pantry that is open each Tuesday, from 10 to 11 a.m. and we have worship services at 10:45 a.m. on Sundays.” he said. “We also have Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. on Sundays. We have supper together at 5 p.m. on Wednesdays followed by a Bible study.”

For those who attend Douglas Chapel Church, he also preaches there on the first, third and fifth Sundays.

“We have a quilting circle at the church and we remembered those policemen and firemen who were not able to enjoy the Fourth of July by taking them a holiday cake to enjoy,” he said. “I just want everyone to know that you are welcome at our church and we try to have something for everyone.”