Who is the Jesus man?

By Lauren-Nicole Altaffer

While driving past the Wal-Mart on Lakeshore Drive on a Saturday, one might notice a strange sight. One might notice large signs reading, “Honk if you know Jesus,” and, “If you don’t pull over,” and a man behind a microphone, preaching the Gospel.

Who is this man?

He is 73 year old, Pastor John Gilpin Brown, a street preacher that migrated from Jamaica to the U.S. He now calls Birmingham Alabama home. He is a proud street preacher that ministers on the Homewood, Alabama street of Lakeshore drive.

Brown is also the preacher and founder of Power of God Deliverance Ministries. Brown says a miracle increased his faith, prayer and love for God. Brown believes that he is on a path to give the true Jesus to the world. When he refers to the real Jesus, he is referring to the Jesus found in the Bible who can bring power though the Holy Spirit.

His life has been lived for the work of God. He spreads the gospel from the islands of Jamaica to the southern land of Alabama. 

“I’m on a mission from God. My Job is to bring life to them, tell them about the real Jesus that gives life to everyone that believes,” Brown said.

Brown started preaching in front of Wal-Mart 12 years ago. Brown preaches life and teaches the coming of the real Jesus. He’s on Lakeshore every Saturday and has only missed 6 days in his years of preaching in this location.

Resident in the area, Aundrea Olszewsk say, “I’ve been living in Birmingham for 5 years now and every Saturday he’s out here singing and dancing, and he’s always encouraging.”

Many people don’t understand his mission but Brown believes that he reaches at least 120 people a year. With a combined total of 1,500 souls reached at this location.