NORTHERN NEW YORK
Meet
PASTOR OLANDA S. BROWN
Lifelong educator, former school administrator, and Army Veteran Spouse, Olanda S. Brown is the Senior Pastor of The City of Refuge Christian Church of Northern New York, under spiritual overseer, Dr. Wayne E. Anderson. She accepted her call to the ministry in February 2007, under Dr. Terry Henry, Macedonian Missionary Baptist Church, Wilmington, NC.
“Pastor O,” as she is referred, strives for The City to meet the spiritual needs of the entire family. Her passion for teaching and being a servant leader has provided her the opportunity to serve in various leadership positions within the ministry sector — such as Sunday School Teacher, Youth Director, Ministry Coordinator, and Assistant Pastor. She is the founder and owner of OSBrown Ministries, Inc.
Pastor Olanda S. Brown is a native of Rock Hill, South Carolina. She has been married to Elder Warren E. Brown for 28 years and they are blessed to have 4 children — Lauren, Mar’i, Ma’Riah and Malachi as well as Pepper, their fur baby.
Elder
JOHN H.
BARNES
Elder Barnes a native of Bridgeport, CT and is currently celebrating 25 years of marriage with his wife Mia. Together they share 2 wonderful sons — Jerome and Johnathan. Elder Barnes has been a devoted member of The City of Refuge Church Family since 2013 and shares that he loves The City because “it is a place where we have the right to be free!”
John's
FAVORITE VERSE
ROMANS 8:31
Elder
WARREN
BROWN
Elder Brown is a native of Petersburg, VA and is currently celebrating 27 years of marriage with Pastor Olanda Brown. Together they share 4 beautiful children — Lauren, Mar’i, Ma’Riah and Malachi. Elder Warren has been a devoted member of The City of Refuge Church Family since 2009 and shares that he loves The City because “it is a ministry that feels like home. A place where I can grow spiritually.”
Warren's
FAVORITE VERSE
JEREMIAH 29:11
Minister
LASHONDA
LAWRENCE
Minister Lawrence is a native of Charleston, SC and is currently celebrating 20 years of marriage with Deacon Arthur Lawrence. Together they share 4 beautiful daughters — Shaunatia, D'Atra, Ciera and Trinity. Minister Lawrence has been a devoted member of The City of Refuge Church Family since 2013 and shares that she loves The City because “it is a place where friends become family and the uncompromised Word of God is taught.”
Lashonda's
ROMANS 8:38-39
FAVORITE VERSE
and
OUR CLERGY MEMBERS
Deacon
ARTHUR
LAWRENCE
Deacon Lawrence is a native of Charleston, SC and husband to Minister Lashonda Lawrence. Together they share 4 beautiful daughters — Shaunatia, D'Atra, Ciera and Trinity. Deacon Lawrence has been a devoted member of The City of Refuge Church Family since 2013 and shares that he loves The City because "it's a place where friends become family and a place where they TEACH you the word of God!"
Arthur's
FAVORITE VERSE
PROVERBS 3:5
Exec. Assistant
JANAE
TROSS
Janae Tross is married to Phillip Tross. Together they share two boys — Jaylen and Junius. She and her family have been devoted members of The City of Refuge Church Family since 2019 where she dances on the Praise Team and serves as Executive Assistant to the Pastor. She loves The City because "they teach Biblical truths and make the teaching apply to today. She also loves that her church family has become her family away from family."
Janae's
PHILIPPIANS 4:6
FAVORITE VERSE
and
OUR CITY STAFF
