[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 151 (Thursday, November 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1982]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 A TRIBUTE TO REVEREND DAVID K. BRAWLEY

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS-

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 2010

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Rev. David 
K. Brawley.
  Reverend David K. Brawley's commitment to the call and demands of 
ministry is evidenced in his leadership and his availability.
  At the age of sixteen, Rev. Brawley responded to God's will and was 
ordained by Rev. Winifred Pippen of First Baptist Church in Deer Park, 
New York. He became the Youth Minister at First Baptist, where he 
maintained his membership for thirteen years.
  In 1994, Rev. Brawley began his full time career in ministry at St. 
Paul Community Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York, where Rev. Dr. 
Johnny Ray Youngblood has served as Senior Pastor for the past thirty-
five years. Rev. Brawley served as Dr. Youngblood's Assistant Pastor 
beginning in 1995, and in January 2008, was named Pastor Successor of 
St. Paul Community Baptist Church.
  During his tenure at St. Paul, Rev. Brawley has served in a large 
number of roles, including: Coordinator of the Men-in-Training program 
for the St. Paul Community Board of Elders, pastoral counseling, 
officiating at sacred events such as weddings, baby dedications, and 
home going services, community organizing, leading worship services, 
and as an on-call teacher to the congregation. His organizing efforts 
play a dynamic role in the church's community development activities 
where he serves as a member of the Governance Board and Strategy Team 
of East Brooklyn Congregations, EBC, an organization which has been at 
the forefront of construction projects that have resulted in over 3000 
affordable homes in Brooklyn. Rev. Brawley has been an outspoken 
advocate for public school reform and has addressed issues such as 
public safety, housing, and quality of life concerns on behalf of 
neighborhood residents. Rev. Brawley's community involvement also 
includes his role as Vice President of E.D.I.F.Y. Communities of East 
New York. E.D.I.F.Y., which stands for Empower, Develop and Improve 
Families and Youth, seeks to increase the vitality and value of urban 
communities by pooling resources and charitable funds.
  Rev. Brawley's four principles for a strong, productive ministry are: 
creating a thriving worship experience; actively engaging in community 
organizing; edifying God's people; and becoming a beacon of economic 
development for the community the ministry serves. As a pastor, Rev. 
Brawley possesses the gifts of exhortation, inspiration, motivation, 
and encouragement, which he shares in worship services and across the 
nation at men's conferences, revivals, and youth group programming.
  In 2004, Rev. Brawley earned his Master's degree in Theological 
Studies from the Faith Seminary of Tacoma, Washington. He is currently 
pursuing his doctorate in ministry at Faith Seminary.
  Rev. Brawley resides in Brooklyn, New York with his wife Debra and 
their two children, Rhonesha and Michael.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
contributions of Rev. David K. Brawley.

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