Dr. Brooks

BROOKS, Dr. Reuben Howard passed away at 1:44 a.m. on Saturday, July 24, 2010. He spent his life serving the Lord Jesus Christ as a missionary, clergyman, professor, executive, and mentor. Reuben was born in a log cabin in Northome, MN on May 15, 1932 and raised in a single-parent home in Bemidji, MN. After graduating from Bemidji High he attended Oak Hills Christian College OHCC, where he met his future wife, Carolyn Carlson of Kenmare, ND. As newlyweds, Reuben and Carolyn were missionaries in Brazil with the Brazil Gospel Fellowship Mission BGFM. Six years later Reuben became BGFM's executive secretary at its headquarters in Springfield, IL. In the early 1960's he returned to Bemidji to teach world missions at OHCC, and also served as pastor of Chapel in the Pines while pursuing a B.A. degree at Bemidji State University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1967. Combining ministry and academia was a life-long calling. Reuben received a Ph.D. in geography from the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO in 1972, and sought to combine his interest in social science with his passion for Christ. As a professor he was Christian presence at George Peabody College for Teachers, Vanderbilt University, Michigan State University, and Tennessee State University. He also taught at Christian schools including Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Sterling College, where he was Vice President and Academic Dean; and Biola University, where he was the Dean of Chaplains. Yet Reuben continued to minister as a pastor, providing pulpit supply and serving as interim pastor on a regular basis. He served as senior pastor at the Evangelical Mennonite Church of Sterling, KS and at one time was a part-time associate pastor at East Whittier Presbyterian Church in Whittier, CA and later at the First Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN. He also served as a Christian conference speaker. In his retirement years, one of the great delights of his life was teaching the Discipleship Class Sunday School at the First Presbyterian Church in Nashville. He also invested in the lives of others through counseling, mentoring, and discipling. He also served on the boards of Artists in Christian Testimony International and the Nashville Area Christian Counseling Association. Reuben said that "enjoying Christ in a daily, living prayerful walk" was "the most outstanding experience he has ever encountered." He is survived by his three children, Faith Brooks De La Cour Stan, of Saitama Japan; Joyce Miriam Brooks of La Habra, CA; and Brent Brooks April, of Lucas, TX. He is also survived by ten grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday at The 1st Presbyterian Church 4815 Franklin Rd, Nashville, TN, 37220 with burial to follow at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens. Visitation will be Friday 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the church and Saturday one hour prior to service. Memorial contributions may be made to Oak Hills Christian College, 1600 Oak Hills Road Southwest, Bemidji, MN 56601-8826 or Brazil Gospel Fellowship Mission, BGFM Home Office, P.O. Box 355, Springfield, IL 62705-0355. Harpeth Hills Funeral Home, 9090 Hwy 100, Nashville, TN, 37221. www.afamilylegacy.com 615-646-9292