The Brook church’s 20-year celebration goes sky-high
WRITTEN BY GREGG L. PARKER
PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOSHUA BERRY
The Brook church commemorated its first 20 years with a day of festivities to celebrate its successful formation, growth and outreach to the community, region and remote sites around the world.
The church’s 20th anniversary celebration was billed on social media as “The Party of the Decade – Make That Two Decades!” After weeks of planning and volunteering, the congregation celebrated the church’s “birthday” with a community-wide event Aug. 12.
The celebration was open to anyone in Madison. Church members invited friends to join the fun for free hot dogs, chips and desserts from the Sweet Temptations food truck. Children’s games and bouncy castles were also in great supply.
The party was so ambitious, with a fireworks exhibition as the finale, that the City of Madison and the State of Alabama granted its sanction for the event. Madison Fire and Rescue Department alerted community residents to the planned fireworks show and was on alert in case of emergency.
“Our 20th anniversary celebration was a great night in the life of our church,” said the Rev. Brian Mayfield, lead pastor. “While we had many new families here, there were also many who returned to fellowship and catch up. It was honestly just a giant party with something for everyone.”
One major highlight of the evening was “a wall with a bit of picture history, from the very beginning leading up to now. Throughout the evening, there were always people over at the wall, checking it out,” Mayfield said.
“Of course, the fireworks display did not disappoint,” Mayfield added. “While we know there were a few neighbors who weren’t incredibly excited about explosions at 8:30 p.m. on a school night, the overwhelming response we had – from our people and even from the community – was great enjoyment.”
Mayfield described the event as “awesome. Our desire was for that entire day to be an opportunity to reflect on God’s faithfulness so far but also to look ahead to the future. We are incredibly grateful for our church family and to be a part of this incredible city and area.”
In The Brook’s beginning, Willowbrook Baptist Church in Huntsville, through the leadership and vision of Steve Lacy, planted the new church in 1998. The Brook moved to its current location at 8573 U.S. Highway 72 West in Madison in 2000. When Lacy left in 2007, Richard Buckley accepted a full-time interim role. In spring 2009, the church called Brian Mayfield to be lead pastor.
“Our worship center is a unique building called a Sprung,” Mayfield said. When the structure was built originally, many residents were curious about how the interesting building would be used. Because of its rounded and pinnacled exterior, some people referred to it as “the M&M Building.”
Today, The Brook campus has four buildings that house the offices, worship center and preschool classrooms, along with space for children’s and youth activities. “That said, our property is currently for sale, and we are looking to relocate a little further into Madison,” Mayfield said.
The Brook is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. The church partners with several other churches in the area, particularly in global mission efforts.
The church offers a ministry for preschool, children and youth. Chip Woosley serves as family pastor for all children and students. Chad Cronin came to The Brook in 2010 as worship pastor and transitioned in 2015 to discipleship pastor. Reid Hopkins joined the staff in March 2018 to serve in the role of executive pastor.
“Our missional communities meet in homes throughout the week and provide opportunities for single adults, couples and families to connect, grow, serve and love one another,” Mayfield said. “Through the King’s Table and the Lunches of Love programs, we are working to intentionally wipe out hunger in our city.”
The church’s slogan is “worship. grow. serve. together.”
Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday worship services are held at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. in a casual, welcoming atmosphere.
