Gravel Run Baptist Church

Please contact Dr. Brown's Administrative Assistant, Sis. Yolanda T. Chavis, for engagements at yolanda.chavis@yahoo.com

Dr. Larry D. Brown, Sr. is native of Richmond, Virginia where he grew up in the county of Henrico and received his early educational training.  He is a graduate of Highland Springs High School.  After high school,  Pastor Brown attended J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College’s Business Management Program.  He attended Virginia Union  University School of Theology in Richmond, Virginia where he received a certificate in religious studies.  He is a graduate of Virginia State University where he earned a business degree.  Pastor received a Master of Divinity Degree and a Honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree, Honoris Causa from Virginia Seminary, Richmond, Virginia on October 21, 1991.  Dr. Brown is a December 2003 graduate of United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH where he received an earned Doctorate of Ministry Degree specializing in the Education of the African American Youth.  Currently, Dr. Brown is the Assistant Chancellor of Higher Learning Bible Institute International.  He is the Founder of Heritage Preparatory School located in Petersburg, VA and a former Adjunct Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Bryant & Stratton College in Richmond, VA. 

Pastor Brown was reared in a Christian home with his parents, the late Roy O. and Rena Brown.  He is the fourth child of seven.  Pastor became a member of Union Baptist Church in Quinton, Virginia   under the leadership of the late Rev. W. A. Wallace.  It was there that he became active in various church activities where he served as Junior Usher, Junior Deacon, Pianist and Organist of the church.  It was in later years, while serving as Co-chairman of the Deacon Board, that our Pastor became under the leadership of Dr. Robert Williams.  God called him to preach in the year 1979.  Pastor Brown received his license to preach at Union Baptist Church.  On March 27, 1983, he was ordained for the ministry by Rev. Gerald A. Grandison, Sr., at Royal Baptist Church in Petersburg, Virginia.

Pastor Brown is a life-time member of the SCLC, the NAACP, Prince Hall  Mason and a Notary Public for the state of Virginia.  He serves on the Board of Directors for the Richmond Virginia Seminary and is a former member of the Virginia State University Credit Union.  Pastor is also a  licensed Professional Bondsman for the state of Virginia, a general contractor and a partner of Roy and Rena’s Auto Sales.

In 2004, Pastor’s book entitled “The Role of the Church is the  Education of African American Youth” was published.

To this date, Pastor still holds his black belt in Karate.

Under Pastor Brown’s leadership the following ministries and  programs have been implemented:

The Brotherhood Ministry

The Pastor’s Aide Ministry

The Children’s Church Ministry

The Single’s Ministry

The Children’s Moment

The New Saint’s Class

The Fellowship Period

The Men’s Sunday Morning Prayer (Every Sunday at 8 am)

Founder of the Gravel Run Christian Academy (grades K-12) for four years, which is no longer in operation due to the growth of the school.

Pastor added three additional deacons to our Deacons’ Board.

Pastor has licensed and ordained five Associate Ministers to preach the gospel and has installed one of them as a Pastor of his own church.

In 2006 - Pastor introduced Braille Bible Reading.

2008 - Dr. Brown just published his second book entitled "Help My Money Keeps Running Away".  It is available in local book stores.