By Bob Allen
A Cooperative Baptist Fellowship church planter and adjunct professor at McAfee School of Theology died Aug. 27.
Gwen Brown, 59, was founding pastor of Cornerstone Church in Snellville, Ga., which began as a Bible study in her home in 2005. The group incorporated as a church in 2009 and met in various locations before settling in a permanent sanctuary in February 2012.
She worked in the corporate world before enrolling at McAfee School of Theology in 2007. During seminary she interned at New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Snellville, which ordained her to the gospel ministry.
Brown taught spiritual formation as an adjunct professor at McAfee. She served on the Baptist Women in Ministry leadership team from 2010 until 2013 and on the Coordinating Council of Georgia CBF.
She was president of BWIM of Georgia in 2012-2013 and spoke at the 2012 CBF General Assembly in Fort Worth, Texas.
Pam Durso, executive director of Baptist Women in Ministry, said Brown had struggled with health problems the past year, but her death came as a shock to those who knew and loved her.
“More than anyone I have ever known, Gwen Brown had a clear vision for what God’s kingdom could be here on earth, and she worked passionately and tirelessly to bring about that vision,” Durso said. “She gave herself fully in her service as a pastor and a mentor, and she was very much loved by all her church members, her fellow students, her colleagues and her friends.”
“We are missing and will long miss her laughter, her contagious smile, her warm hugs, and her steady presence,” Durso said. “She was truly a gift from God to those of us who had the blessing of knowing and loving her.”
Survivors include her husband, Charles, and daughters, Robin and Candace. Visitation is scheduled for 6-8 p.m., Aug. 30, at Gregory B. Levett and Sons Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, Ga. Her funeral is scheduled at 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 1, at Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Lilburn, Ga.