Pastor Don Brewer, 90, continues preaching at Greenfield First Church of the Nazarene despite retirement age

Pastor Don Brewer, 90, continues to serve as the pastor of Greenfield First Church of the Nazarene, a congregation of less than 100 members. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a decline in attendance, the church remains committed to its mission. Brewer, who has been a pastor for over four decades, attributes his continued service to a deep sense of calling and purpose. Alongside his pastoral duties, he also manages a 30-acre farm near Fortville, where he raises beef cattle and tends a large garden.

Brewer and his wife, Carol, have been married for 70 years, with their anniversary approaching next January. They met in the 1950s in Illinois, where she worked at a soybean processing company and he was a student at Olivet Nazarene University. Their relationship began with a chance encounter, and they married in 1957 before moving to Indiana. Faith has been a central part of Brewer’s life since childhood, shaped by his grandmother’s nightly prayers for the family. Carol, who had a Catholic background, found her spiritual home in the Nazarene denomination after meeting Don, initially drawn to its music and worship style.

The couple’s journey together has included decades of work in data processing and finances at Fort Benjamin Harrison. Don’s passion for ministry led him to fill in at the pulpit for other churches, but by 1982, he felt a stronger calling to serve full-time. He approached his district superintendent, who at the time had no open churches but suggested he consider a closing congregation in Shelby County. This opportunity marked the beginning of his full-time pastoral ministry.

Brewer and Carol’s lives reflect a commitment to service and faith that has endured through generations. Their family includes three daughters, seven grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. They describe their lives as a blessing, saying, “This is what we do.” Their story exemplifies the Nazarene Church’s emphasis on community, service, and spiritual dedication, as seen in Micah 6:8, which calls for doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God.

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