100-year-old Pastor Walks Two Miles Daily

Jeffrey Thompson, Ph.D.

George W. Brown, D.Div., who turned 100 on January 11, 2024, walked five miles every day up to his 99th birthday and now walks two miles daily. Brown, a Sabbath School teacher for 29 years at Avon Park, Florida, Church, is also a past president of Inter-American Division and past president of the University of the Southern Caribbean, formerly Caribbean Union College.

Pastor Brown, how does it feel to be 100 years old?

“It feels great! Mark Twain once said, ‘Age is an issue of mind over matter, and if you don’t mind, it does not matter.’ At my age, I am beginning to feel that it matters. I feel good. Thank the Lord, I am still vertical. I am still able to conduct various types of activities, such as preaching, seminars, and several other activities. What I am today is a result of grace.”

What’s the secret to longevity?

“I try to be very careful with my diet, following the principles established as a Church — the eight laws of health. Secondly, I follow a strict physical exercise program. My exercise is walking. I used to walk five miles a day until last year. I had a little injury to my right knee, so I had to reduce the amount of exercise. I still walk every day. The third thing is always maintaining a positive attitude, and the basis of that is assurance of where I have come from, why I am here, and where I am going — and trust in God.”

Brown added, “I have no problem about the future. I trust Him because he has promised to take care of me to the very end. There is another aspect to which I have no control, and that is good genes. These put together will give you an idea of why I feel that I have been able to make it thus far. I have to tell you that I never thought I would reach 100 years old. When I came to the realization that I had reached the hundred score and my wicket was still standing, I felt very grateful to the Lord. One of the things I thank God for is that, even at my age, my cognitive powers are still alive.”

What role has your wife of 72 years played in your remarkable ministry spanning so many years?

“My wife was the anchor in the home, taking care of the children. She was my chief helper. Without her, I could never have accomplished what I have achieved. I attribute so much to her.”

When you look at world events unfolding, what would you say to Seventh-day Adventists in terms of hope for the coming of the Lord?

“God has called us as a Church, as Ellen White has said so beautifully, ‘The Church, enfeebled and defective though it be, is the only object on Earth on which Christ bestows His supreme regard.’ While we have some issues we need to guard against, the Church has a destiny; we know where we are going, and it will ultimately triumph.”

Jeffrey Thompson, Ph.D. is the senior pastor of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Church.

Florida | May 2024