A Tribute to Larry Brown

     Larry Brown of Hanson, Kentucky was ushered to glory Friday/August 9, 2024.

     Larry was born September 24, 1947, and departed in his 77th year.

     In his earlier years, Larry served in the US Army. He afterward was a successful entrepreneur, builder and manager of a nursing home, and served on the staff of a governor of the state Kentucky.

     In his later years, Larry labored diligently in the kingdom of God, accomplishing much for the benefit of others, but in an anonymous manner, never seeking profit or glory for what he did. Tim James, pastor in Cherokee, North Carolina and one of Larry’s closest and longest friends, wrote of him: “He did so much and did it quietly, never drawing attention to himself. It was as if he practiced to go unnoticed.” I once heard Larry gently rebuke someone who had posted online more than Larry desired to be said about his accomplishments.

     Therefore, while Larry was alive, he would not have approved of what you are to read here regarding him. However, since his works have now followed him to glory, where they are recognized at God’s throne (Revelation 14:13), we may speak of them here on earth. And I have the permission of Larry’s wife Carol to do so.

     Larry created freegraceradio.com, where the broadcast messages of more than sixty preachers of God’s sovereign grace may be found.

     Larry created grace-ebooks.com, where the writings of almost a hundred preachers, theologians, and commentators of the past and present may be read and freely downloaded in various electronic data formats.

     Larry put on computer discs the “Ultimate Index”, which contained the writings found at grace-ebooks.com, and freely distributed them to all who requested them. This Ultimate Index has proven to be a great help to many preachers and students of God’s Word.

     Larry also published many books in hardcopy and eBook formats, including the complete works of Henry Mahan and the commentaries of Tim James. These books, priced as near manufacturing costs as possible, may be obtained from lulu.com/spotlight/grace_ebooks.

     Larry was the first to compile and publish the complete expositions of Charles Spurgeon. These expositions were brief verse-by-verse remarks upon Scripture passages given by Spurgeon from his pulpit prior to his more than 3500 messages in the sixty-three volumes containing them. These compiled expositions fill three volumes of more than 1800 pages printed on 8.5x11 paper. They have been included as modules in Bible software such e-Sword.

     Larry created websites for churches, such as FreeGraceMedia.com for Sovereign Grace Baptist Church in Ewing, New Jersey, pastored by Clay Curtis.

     Larry was a faithful and generous friend to missionaries. He oversaw from his home in the USA the finances of at least two missionaries (including me) who ministered in places where postal and banking services could be unreliable. He accompanied other preachers on ministerial trips to Africa and Mexico, and preached to the church I pastored on Saint Croix, Virgin Islands.

     Larry and his beloved Carol graciously provided lodging in their home to many gospel ministers.

     When Larry was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Danville, Kentucky, he greatly aided the extensive broadcast, printed, and online ministry of pastor Don Fortner.

     At the time of his departure to glory, Larry and his beloved Carol were members of Bible Baptist Church of Madisonville, Kentucky, pastored by David Eddmenson. Larry was a teacher and preacher in this church.

     In Larry Brown is found the sort of person to whom the Lord Jesus Christ says “Well done, good and faithful servant .... Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matthew 25:31).

     May this be true also of you and me.

     – Daniel E. Parks (2024.08.15)