Pastor Charles D. Brooks II
Although Pastor Charles D. Brooks, II comes from a family of preachers, he never thought that he'd be a preacher himself one day. So it was quite a surprise when at the age of 50, during a time of intentional praying, fasting, and seeking God's will for his life, he distinctly heard the Lord call him into service and full-time ministry.
Early in his life he felt the passion for helping others and spent many years serving others by working for nonprofits and private industry, by developing and managing social service programs focused on social policy, social justice, education, substance abuse prevention, violence prevention, and other critical community issues across the nation. After starting his own senior assisted living facility, Pastor Brooks felt the need for a much closer walk with the Lord so that he could better meet the health, emotional, social, and family needs of the seniors in his care. After almost 10 years, he sold his assisted living business when the Lord made it clear He was calling him for a new work.
Pastor Brooks was soon invited to attend the Andrews Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, Michigan, where he received his graduate degree in pastoral ministry. Since graduating, he has served as the senior pastor at the Serenity Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Martinsburg, West Virginia, and now serves as the senior pastor at three churches in Virginia: Melrose Avenue SDA Church in Roanoke; Bethel SDA Church in Staunton; and Miracle of Faith SDA Church in Waynesboro.
Pastor Brooks has only one purpose in ministry, and that is to remain faithful to "the Call". The vision God gave him for the Melrose SDA Church is simply that "Each member, so reflect the character of Christ, that others are drawn to Him." It is with the vision of representing Christ in our community that Melrose Avenue SDA Church has refocused its mission to becoming a safe place where the unchurched and unconnected may experience the love of Christ, learn the truths of the Bible, and then prayerfully choose to surrender their life to Him.
Pastor Brooks is married to Dr. Robyn Jackson Brooks, who is an educational consultant. He has one daughter, Courtney Danielle Brooks. They currently reside in Callaway, Virginia with their cane corsos, Nola and Maasai.