The Association of Presbyterian Church Educators is proud to honor George Brown as the 2012 Educator of the Year. George, a leader of leaders, husband to Willa, father to three sons, grandfather to five grandchildren, and mentor of many people through the years, is a man of great character.

He began his studies at Western Theological Seminary in 1965 when Christian education was not something he viewed as worthwhile. However, George’s mind was changed by an introductory course taught by Professor Hugh A. Kops. The rest is history. George pursued further graduate study at Princeton Theological Seminary with Freda A. Gardner, James E. Loder, and D. Campbell Wyckoff. Working on a Th.M. degree at Princeton one day a week while serving as the pastor of a congregation helped George integrate Christian education theory with practice.

George’s more than 40 years of ministry have been divided between congregation and seminary. After graduating from seminary, George was ordained by the Classis of Philadelphia (RCA) and became pastor of the Reformed Church in Pottersville, where he served for four years. For the next 15 years, George was the minister of Christian education at Central Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. At one point while carrying out his responsibilities as minister of Christian education, George was also serving as the interim senior pastor, engaging in doctoral studies, writing curriculum, and teaching courses at Western Seminary as an adjunct professor.

George dates his affiliation with APCE back to 1982. That year, George, along with Craig Dykstra and Heath Rada, was a keynote speaker when APCE met at the Galt House in Louisville. George, who will be one of the workshop leaders when APCE meets in Grand Rapids, led workshops at APCE annual events in 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2007. He has also written several articles for the APCE Advocate.

George has served as president of CERCA, was recognized by CERCA as its 1996 Educator of the Year, and in 2009 received CERCA’s Life Achievement Award. A CERCA member said this about George, “There is an energy and a bond among Reformed church educators because George continues to encourage our gathering whenever possible each year at APCE.” Lifetime Awardees will be available closer to the event.