Renewal and fresh perspective were what Father Tom Mattingly hoped this year’s parish mission would bring to Blessed Sacrament Church in Harrisonburg. As the first session ended with a hearty congregational rendition of the familiar “Lead Me, Guide Me,” it was obvious the faith community had found both in mission leader Grayson Warren Brown, even though he describes himself as “just a guy.”

Composer-musician-preacher Brown is more than “just a guy” of course, but he uses that description to emphasize not only that he is a lay minister but also “that God wants to use ordinary people to do extraordinary things—and has always done this.”

Having never had greater ambitions than to be a parish organist, he said letters and other comments he’s received throughout 20-plus years presenting missions and concerts have shown him that the power of the message he brings “comes from someplace else, because I know I don’t have the ability to do that myself. It says to me there is a God, and it’s humbling.”

Lent is parish mission season, and in bringing Mr. Brown for that purpose, Father Mattingly said, “We wanted to offer something that would energize people, and for them to get other perspectives on the Gospel message is always good — especially in a one-priest parish. “He brings his perspective, particularly his African-American spirituality, and it is refreshing.” After the session the pastor added, “The positive response of the people was obvious.” Mr.

Brown warmed up the congregation with familiar hymns the first session before bringing in some of his own music. “God loves your voice,” he encouraged his audience. “I want you to really crank it up this evening,” he added between songs, teasingly suggesting that “decorum in the house of God” shouldn’t stifle enthusiasm. “Now as you sing, I want you to move something. We want to be moving and getting to feel the presence of God,” he instructed.

Although Mr. Brown’s approach to worship and preaching is energetic and influenced by African-American Christian culture, the Brooklyn native’s style is soft-spoken and dignified. The first evening he used the Gospel story of the blind man Bartimaeus to challenge those gathered: “What do you still think God can do in your life?” Suggesting that faith in God is decreasing in current culture, he noted that “young people are believing more in the power of technology than in the power of God.” But he stressed, in a call-and-response reflection on the scripture, “Jesus has all the power in the universe, but do you know what turns that power on?” The group shouted in response, “Faith!”

Being new to Blessed Sacrament, Father Mattingly said he wasn’t sure what kind of mission would be effective but trusted longtime parish music director Jean DePiro’s judgment in recommending Mr. Brown. Ms. DePiro explained that she was familiar with Mr. Brown from music ministry conferences and had been personally inspired by his music and ministry. Although the parish has a vibrant music ministry, she said, she believed Mr. Brown would provide inspiration to the community, and she knew Father Mattingly, who “loves music and loves Gospel music,” would approve.

During a conversation between sessions, Mr. Brown explained that he grew up poor in a black community with a strong sense of justice and social awareness instilled by his family. He was hired as an organist at age 15 at St. Ann’s Church in Brooklyn. He came of age during the civil rights movement which, along with some important individual role models, strongly influenced his spirituality and work. “The connection of the civil rights movement and the Gospel message was actually a great religious movement toward the love of people for each other,” he said.

At the time St. Ann’s pastor, Father Tom Manion “allowed that church to really embrace the beauty of the culture we lived in — mostly Black and Hispanic. He believed in ecumenism and was not afraid to have us experience what the black Protestant culture that was all around us had to offer — the Gospel message of what people were living through, suffering through in gaining freedom.”

Meanwhile, in the late 1960s Father Clarence Rivers, a black priest and composer, published a collection of music for Catholics done in African-American sprititual style. “This was huge in the life of a lot of black Catholics,” Mr. Brown explained, “because for the first time we could see that you can be Catholic and bring in your own unique culture of rhythms and heart and soul.”

As he’s grown older, Mr. Brown said, he’s come to learn that there are “some basics to life that really transcend color and age. People want hope and want to believe that we can live together without killing and hating each other, and they want to know that there is a higher power than ourselves that will help us rise above the limitations we put on ourselves. “We find out that any community is looking for the same things and many of the things that divide us are false. As Paul said, ‘In Christ there is no east and west, no slave or free.’ We really are one.”

His works are always geared to congregational singing which requires a special form of composing. “Father Rivers always said, it should be simple without being sterile, without being insulting to people’s intelligence,” Mr. Brown explained. In visiting parishes throughout North America, Mr. Brown says he’s concerned by the disconnection he senses in many people between their experience of Eucharist at Sunday Mass and their fundamental relationship with God being lived out the rest of the week. Nevertheless, he said, “They seem to know something is missing. At a mission we get people from all over, all ages, looking for an experience of Christ — not just theology and doctrine. “I just try to stir up what’s already there, and hopefully, if they are doing anything less (than seeking that experience in their spiritual life) then they will have a healthy dissatisfaction with what is lacking. I try to let people know that we are all on this journey together trying to find our way. “I’m always humbled and honored that people allow me to come speak and share my vision of the Gospel,” he said, “and I never take those people for granted — ever.”