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Staff photo by Mark L. Thompson Nathan Brooks is the pastor of the Peakland Baptist Church. He came in 1966 thinking that he would move on in a few years, but 33 years later he still is there. |
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By Brenda G. Clements The News & Advance When the Rev. Nathan C. Brooks III accepted a call to Peakland Baptist Church in 1966, he thought he would spend a few years there and then move on. But 33 years and more than 2,000 sermons later, Brooks is still at Peakland Baptist — and he’s become a major asset to the community. “It is part of his nature ... He is accepting and interested in the welfare of the community,” said the Rev. Louis Fischer, friend and colleague. “His interests and concerns have never been confined to the walls of his church,” said the Rev. Haywood Robinson, another friend and colleague. Brenda Brooks, Nathan’s wife of 40 years, said the decision was to stay in Lynchburg was not difficult. “Nathan felt called to be pastor of Peakland Baptist,” she said. “He wanted to be with the people through good times and bad times, it has been a great partnership and we have been very happy here.” Brooks’ father was also a pastor and his family moved around a lot when he was growing up. He never really had a home until Lynchburg, said Brenda Brooks. And Brooks made a name for himself in his new home. Brooks was instrumental in the formation of the Interfaith Outreach, an association of more than 50 churches, and the Martin Luther King Center for Humanity housed at the Lynchburg Public library. He was recently awarded the Mayor’s Award for Excellence for his work in the community. But the Pastoral Counseling Service of Central Virginia is possibly one of Brooks’ biggest achievements, and one that few people know about. Brooks saw a need for a service where ministers could provide theological and psychological knowledge to help solve a problem. |
Nathan C. Brooks III
Who influenced you?
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“The ministry and counseling work hand
in hand,” said Brooks, “people naturally turn to their
minister for help.” So, in 1972 Brooks and then Lynchburg General Hospital chaplain, Bob Evans, founded the pastoral counseling service. The purpose was to formalize the work the pastors were already doing — helping those in need. “Some people feel it is important to talk with Christian or religious counselors who can take their spiritual and faith into consideration with their healing,” said Brooks. The pastoral counseling services include ordained clergy who are experienced pastors with supervised training in pastoral counseling. It complies with the standards of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and its work is guided by professional consultants, such as family physicians or psychiatrists. Dr. W.D. Richards, a retired psychiatrist who worked with the counseling service, said Brooks is a very dynamic person and has given a great amount of time to the counseling service. “It has been a very beneficial service,” said Richards, “Nathan has helped it grow because he has dedicated a lot of time to the service ... he wants to help people.” Fischer, who has worked with Brooks at the service for 25 years, agrees. “It’s not his only love but it is one of his greatest loves,” he said. The pastors work with the counseling service in their spare time. Brooks plans to dedicate more of his time to the counseling service after he retires in September. “It could only get better when he has even more time to give to the service,” said Richards. Brenda Brooks said it will give them more time to travel and visit their grandchildren and children. Another great love for Brooks is his family — especially his grandchildren. Fischer said Brooks mellowed when his grandchildren were born. “He wasn’t all business anymore and he couldn’t wait to talk about his grandchildren,” said Fischer, “As much as he was interested in the counseling service, the most significant achievement for him was that he was a granddaddy.” “That is a big thing for me, being papa,” said Brooks, “my grandchildren are wonderful.” Brooks’ other greatest love is obviously Peakland Baptist Church. “It has been a good marriage,” he said. “I have skills as a counselor but in my heart of hearts, I am a pastor.” Brenda Brooks said her husband’s pastorate at the church allowed them to join and become a part of the family. “Nathan has been fortunate to be able to take part in the circle of life,” she said, “He has participated in the child dedication, discipleship classes, and then seen them leave for college and come back and have their own family — the circle is completed and starts again.” The Rev. Haywood Robinson said, “He is in love with his work and truly finds meaning in ministering to the needs of people in his church and the community.” Peakland has an open-door policy where members of other faiths are allowed to worship, even join, without giving up allegiance to their previous denomination. “One of our strengths is an appreciation of difference,” said Brooks, “We don’t pressure people to conform.” Brooks’ great-great-grandfather was a Jewish immigrant who settled in North Carolina. That has helped him with his work within different denominations. “I have always related to the Jewish faith, as well as others,” said Brooks. Brooks won the Brotherhood Award from what is now the National Conference of Community and Justice in 1987 for his interdenominational work. Peakland Baptist Church also participates in a union service every Thanksgiving. Agudath Sholom Temple and several city churches participate. In the 60s, Brooks worked with Robinson to ease the racial tensions in Lynchburg. “Nathan breathes inclusively and demonstrates that everyday,” said Robinson, “Most pastors are open to that (working with other denominations) but Nathan is very special in that regards.” Robinson said Brooks is a trusted friend and a consistent partner in making Lynchburg a whole community. And Fischer said that is just a part of Brooks’ demeanor. “He likes to use the phrase ‘teachable moment’ and he lives that,” said Fischer. “He believes when they are open and ready, he is there for them and doesn’t push them.” “I give people the tools to lead them in the right direction,” said Brooks, “And when people connect with the message, it is very gratifying.” Liz Brunson, former director of the Interfaith Outreach Association, said Brooks’ work with different denominations and people is a testament to who he is as a person. “He had great vision of what could be done when denominations work together,” said Brunson. “He is concerned about carrying the church into the community and the association has benefited from him.” Fischer said Lynchburg has also benefited from Brooks. He added that the meaning of Brooks’ name also says a great deal about who Brooks is as a person. The Hebrew meaning of Brooks’ first name, Nathan, is ‘gift of God’ and of his middle name, Cohn, is ‘priest.’ “We all would be poorer without Nathan,” said Fischer, “And if you ask if the community would be richer or poorer without him and the answer would definitely be poorer — he is a gift from God.” |