The Gospel Lights - Thomas Brown

I was born in Milan Tennessee in Gibson County on August 19, 1982. The population of Milan is approximately eight thousand.

I was raised by my mother. My dad lives in Decatur Illinois. My mother is a cashier at the local convenience store.

I started elementary school at Polk Clark, a historical school in my community. It was an all African American school until de-segregated. I attended K.D. McKeller from grades three through fifth. I attended Milan Middle school from grades sixth through the eight. I joined the band in the sixth grade and learned to play the alto saxophone. I attended High School at Milan High School where I was a member of the Marching band, concert, and jazz bands.
I have been involved with music since the age of two. I could play by ear, but I started taking piano lessons at age six.

The first experience I had with God was when I was baptized. At the time, I was joining McLemoresville C.P.C.A (Cumberland Presbyterian Church of America. I was eleven years old, and for the first time in my life, I was able to acknowledge God's presence in my life.

My Grandmother kept me in church as a child. When I got good enough , she would let me play a song at church. She would say, "I don't know what song you were playing, but it was beautiful.

As a teenager, I was a musician for The New Reedy Creek Baptist Church in McLemoresville Tennessee. I also was pianist for Mt. Pleasant C.M.E. in Milan Tennessee. Though at times I thought it was hard, I thank God for keeping me involved in church. I was also musician for three youth choirs, Voice of Praise, God's Annointed Voices, and S.H.O.U.T.

Presently, I am musician for Mt. Pleasant C.M.E. I am there three Sundays a month. Choirs include; Adult, angel choir, and Male Chorus.

I have worked for a few local companies including: Milan Army Ammunition Plant, Tower Automotive, DeVillbiss Air Products and Con Agra Foods.

I attended Northwest Mississippi Community College, Senatobia MS, and Lane College in Jackson Tennessee.

I currently work for Allied Aerofoam Inc. in Milan Tennessee.

I am single and I don't have any children.

I have always admired The Gospel Lights for their style of gospel music. Mr. Hillsman approached me one day, and asked me to think and pray about maybe playing the keyboard for The Gospel Lights. I felt that God used him to call me into my ministry, the ministry of music.

I have been with the group for about nine months. It has really been a blessing.

To me, this group means the word of God ((the gospel can spread from the basement of a church, to the darkest corners of the world, (light)

I hope this group will one day be able to spread God's word through many parts of the world; from the country, to the city, from the United States to Africa and from God's Children to God's People.

Thomas Brown
August 2004