Church History

Summer of 1973 - A few families from the Midwest asked a young preacher from the foothills of North Carolina to come start a church in the small town of Washington, Iowa. Larry and Dianne Brown left their home and moved to Iowa where they would help organize the Marion Avenue Baptist Church.

September 1973 - The Marion Avenue Baptist Church was organized. God began doing great things in the small town of Washington, Iowa. Pastor and Mrs. Brown, along with a small group of families, gave God their all so that others could know Christ. The bus ministry began salvaging broken lives and caring for little boys and girls that otherwise would not have had the opportunity to come to church. The presence and Power of God, won souls, convicted hearts, broke chains, repaired homes, and gave all glory to God.

January 2010 - Our beloved Pastor’s wife, Mrs. Dianne Brown, went home to Heaven. Pastor Larry Brown’s heart was broken, but he chose to stay faithful to God and His service. Soon, God began to work in Pastor’s heart about reaching America through worldwide evangelism.

July 2011 - Pastor Larry Brown resigned the Pastorate delving into full-time world evangelism. He is loved and will be missed, but to the glory of God the pulpit of the Marion Avenue Baptist Church will still be located “Under the spout where the glory comes out!”

July 17, 2011 – Joseph Brown, son of Pastor Larry Brown, became the new Pastor of the Marion Avenue Baptist Church. Pastor Joseph Brown has a vision and a passion to shepherd the flock, preach the Word and reach the World with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Through these wonderful thirty-eight years, God has led his dear children along. He has blessed in ways innumerable and used this ministry to change thousands of lives. Because of His blessings, the church is continuing to grow and reach Southeast, Iowa for the cause of Christ. The buses are still rolling, the Gospel is still being preached, and lives are still being changed. To God be the glory, the pulpit will remain hot, souls will walk the aisles for salvation, and the baptismal waters will continue to be stirred!