As I sat in the small computer lab at Christ for the Nations Institute, I about fell out of my chair. A friend, Ben Hornby, had enrolled in the MDiv program at Regent University in Virginia Beach. Ben mentioned that he met someone who knew me. Of course that piqued my interest. Ben went on to share that it was someone I played football with from my time at Bridgewater College. At that point I was definitely scratching my head as to which teammate would have enrolled in seminary. Honestly, I could not think of one person. Imagine my shock when he revealed in the next paragraph the mystery person: Brian Britton.
This roughshod was indeed my former teammate on the football team.
As I sat stunned in that cramped lab, I reread the email again to ensure I did not misread anything.
Let me take you down memory lane.
During my freshman year in the fall of ’92, we played football together at Bridgewater College. Record wise, we were a dismal 3-7. But that fall season was one of the most significant seasons of my life. The day after a pummeling at the hands of Emory & Henry College, 51-7 (which was also the score at halftime!), I surrendered my life to the Lord Jesus Christ.
My eyes were opened to the fact that I was a wretched sinner in need of a great Savior. I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. I was born again. God gave me a new heart as I trusted Christ for my eternal salvation. Life forever changed that day because when Jesus steps into the picture, he changes everything.
While much happened off the field, I was going full speed on the gridiron. I had actually met Brian during high school on my campus visit to BC once they announced the hiring of a new head coach. I was grouped with Britton, Donnie Coleman, and the starting offensive guard dubbed, Tank, for a quick tour of the campus.
Britton was a mean, beer guzzling son of a gun. Though reserved off the field, he had ornery mean streak on the field. He was the starting right tackle on offense; I was backup linebacker on defense, which meant scrub team in practice against the starting offense. We had an altercation or two on the field during practice. One former teammate, our strong safety, William Prince, wrote concerning Britton:
Brian was always very determined. He work hard to better himself. I always admired his work in the weight room as he was one of the strongest players on the team. He may have looked the part of a madman, but deep down he was always a big teddy bear.
He certainly had the madman part down as I could attest to that. But I certainly never saw the big teddy bear side of him in college.
However, change was coming. Let me explain.
After graduating from Bridgewater College in ’94, Brian spent several years in the ranks of coaching football on the collegiate level. It was in this stage of life when Britton surrendered his life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. As stated earlier, Jesus changes everything. This is certainly true of Brian’s life story as well.
Nineteen years after learning that this former hellion of a teammate was now on fire for God while studying in seminary, we are now running together in kingdom friendship to see Christ made known throughout the earth. Every time we are able to connect face to face, we instantly pick up where we previously left off. Thankfully we run in some of the same circles so our paths oftentimes unintentionally cross.
Besides our first name and the fact that we both played college football on the same team for a perennial powerhouse (cough, cough), we do have a few other things in common: (1) we’re both full-time vocational ministers; (2) we both graduated from Regent University; (3) we both married international women: he married a Russian woman and I married a Polish woman.
While studying at Regent University, Brian met his future wife, Valerie, who was an international student. Together, they form a dynamic kingdom couple as they raise a precious daughter. For many years, they pastored a church before transitioning to focus on missions work and itinerant ministry.
Brian carries a heart that has been baptized in the love of God. When he ministers, he delivers hard hitting truths in a manner that is digestible for the hearer because it is presented from a heart of love. It is easier to receive from one whom you know cares deeply from the heart. He won’t avoid the hard issues, but he’ll always attack it in a posture of love. Brian loves deeply because he has drank deeply of the Father’s love.
Minister and author, Bill Vanderbush, writes concerning this man:
Brian is a river of glory. By that I mean when you hear Brian minister, you feel the tangible goodness of God and you know without a doubt that the Lord is present. As a friend, I have come to respect and admire him deeply for the consistent and faithful way he carries the Father’s heart for people. The light of heaven’s love shines in his eyes; and being in his presence is peace. I told someone one day that if every believer had Brian’s spirit, the world wouldn’t be so confused about what God is like.
Many friends the world over have likewise testified of such qualities that they have seen firsthand in the life and ministry of this man. As Brian travels worldwide preaching the gospel of the kingdom of heaven, a consistent byproduct has emerged time and time again: Brian is recognized and received as a spiritual father. Across the globe wherever he has trotted, there is bound to be a spiritual son or daughter whose life he has touched through the love of Jesus. Whether ministering in Pakistan, Iceland, Brazil, Indonesia, or the United States, there is a trail of spiritual sons and daughters whose heart cry is to “know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10). In love, Brian points them heavenward to follow Christ wholeheartedly until the very end.
If your life has been impacted by the ministry of Brian Britton, I want to invite you to share in the comments below. Take a moment to share a story that captures a life-changing moment, or something funny that makes you smile when you think of Brian, or simply a brief word that you want to share to express your appreciation for his influence in your life.
I’m so proud of this guy. He’s the real deal. And I must agree with our former teammate with an added twist to the equation: Brian Britton is a big, soft teddy bear who oozes the love of Jesus!
I have only had the privilege of meeting and hearing Brian Britton speak in person one time. But WOW!!!! His fatherly heart, his zeal and passion for the Lord was so evident. His genuineness, his care, his authenticity + humbleness was so refreshing. It was like drinking a glass of ice cold water on a hot dry day. You could tell Brian is not only a friend of God, but understands what hosting His presence is truly all about and knows how to honor the Father well.
Not only was I impacted by him that morning, but so was my husband, and our two teenage boys (17 + 15); which speaks of his “generational reach” and “bridging” of the generations. We not only got to hear him preach, but afterwards he prayed over us for the birthing of our ministry in our city. Instantly I started to cry, not only because of what Brian was speaking over us and the ministry, but because you could feel the Father’s heart so deeply ministering to our spirits.
I believe he is one the Father entrusts much of His heart to! I also sense strongly he is walking into a season of “he ain’t seen nothing yet”!!! Which is crazy, because everything I have seen and read about him tells me he has seen a lot already!!! BUT God!!! A generous portion of the Gods heart is about to be released.
Blessings upon blessings!
Dear Brian,
What a blessing your ministry is to the body of Christ and to those who are yet to find Jesus as Lord and Savior. I recall the first time I met you, a few years ago, at a service at Heart of the Home. You gave a spot on prophetic word over me that I wrote in my journal and have many times referred back to it for encouragement and truth.
I believe, as the word was spoke over you, that the Lord is sending you to the nations of the world. Last weekend when you came to Heart of the Home, God spoke a powerful word over you that would ignite any heart. I can hardly wait to see what God has in store for you and Valarie.
Blessings and Love to you and your family,
Ruthann Dean
I have only briefly met Brian Britton at the times he has spoken at Love Revival. However, he has impacted me as a man of great integrity who possesses a heartfelt compassion for the body of Christ. The first time I met him he called me out from the crowd and said, “You are a seasoned prophet who has been saved for this time!” His ministry deeply encouraged me at that time. It served to strengthen me to step out from sitting on the shelf. This was prophetically confirmed soon after by others as well.
Brian spoke that night a message of the Father’s love that was powerful. His ministry afterwards touched so many in powerful ways. After that first visit, each time he came to share with us we were so blessed as he encouraged us to stay hungry and keep pressing deeper into His presence.
Brian is a tremendous encourager who is a great blessing to us at Love Revival.
What can I say about Brian Britton? What a passionate, amazing man who reflects Jesus so well! Brian walks with authority as one who possesses keys of the Kingdom wherever he is sent.
Not only does he speak at a meeting about the Fathers love or demonstrate it during ministry time, but he listens with the Father’s ear. My wife and I can’t express enough the blessing that he has been to us. We simply cannot wait for what’s God has next!
Brian Britton is a man on fire for Jesus, who shows us how it can be done!
I met Brian several years ago at Greensprings Chapel. I was amazed by the presence of the Holy Spirit, and by how free people were to worship. There were some days the prayer before service was so anointed that people almost didn’t leave the prayer room. I have seen many lives touched and many people healed both physically and spiritually. by a man that is so humble and so hungry for the love and the power of God to be displayed, HIs passion is also to see the lost and the poor come to Christ as he travels overseas. And finally, I also give him a pass for not picking the best football school in the Valley (Go Dukes)…although things got better at BC once Coach Clark got there.
Brian has a kingdom heart. His passion for the lost, complete healing and deliverance is evident in his meetings. He is funny, kind hearted, authentic and full of love. It was a pleasure worshipping with him for the years he was meeting in Richmond, Glen Allen and Chesterfield. God bless!
About two years ago I met Brian and his wife, Valerie, at Heart of the Home Family, a church in Timberville, VA. I felt an immediate connection to Brian. He is warm, kind, friendly, and overflowing with the love of God. It is evident that he is a man filled with the Holy Spirit. I loved his smile and warmth.
His love for the Lord is quite evident. After meeting them, I had the desire to know Brian and his wife, Valerie, better. Since that first meeting, I’ve heard Brian minister two other times at Heart of the Home. Plus I follow their ministry on Facebook. His words flow like a river from his mouth, revealing the goodness and love of God. Truly, there’s nothing pretentious about this man. His passion for Christ is evident in all he says and does; even in his sense of humor, you feel the Spirit of God!
I see how God is using Brian throughout the world, not just in the U.S. His passion for people is obvious as I watch him travel from country to country preaching, teaching, and healing in the name of Jesus! I know God has begun a good work in Brian, yet God is preparing him for greater days ahead! I wait with great expectations to see what more the Lord has for Brian and for his precious wife, Valerie.
You, Brian, are a burning bush for the nations!
In 2014, it was a divine intervention from God that brought in the midst of Brian and Valerie Britton’s ministry. It was at a point of my life when I was broken and didn’t seem to fit in other church ministries. I experienced the love and acceptance of the Father each time I visited their services. When I finally decided to meet Brian face to face, I saw the heart and unconditional love of God flowing from Him. It’s the foundation of everything he says and does. He is a father of many, whose vision is to share the light of love of Jesus everywhere God sends him.
He burns with the fires of revival and is relentless with a passion for the harvest of a multitude of souls for the Kingdom of God. He is a faithful servant who God is using powerfully as a father, brother, and friend. May God continually bless him as he prospers in everything he places his heart and hands to do for the Kingdom.
My family and I met Brian Britton years ago through a friend. Brian has such a heart and a passion for the Father, and he is such an inspiration to me and my family. When Brian speaks you can hear the love and compassion that he has for souls. Brian has been such a blessing, and we thank God for bringing Brian and his family into our lives. We love you Pastor Brian. Continue to let the Lord use you in a mighty way as your heart burns for Jesus!!!!!
Love Always,
Janet and Anthony Morgan
Brian is a hero in the faith to me. When I met him four years ago, he was quiet and unassuming. However, when I heard him preach, I knew that the love of the Father that he carries is exactly what the Lord wanted for us.
Brian has humbly served us at Heart Of The Home Family and he has taught us many things. The most important being, how to be a son or daughter of Father God. He also shows by example what family looks like in the Kingdom of God.
He challenges us to always go deeper in our relationship with Jesus.
He is fiery and passionate about raising up a generation to know Jesus and go into the harvest fields. He is available and approachable to encourage and build people up in the Lord.
After meeting Brian or hearing him speak you start to pray crazy prayers like, “Lord let me burn for You like Brian!”
I think his life could read… FOLLOW ME AS I FOLLOW JESUS!!!
He truly loves Jesus with his whole being.
I must mention his beautiful wife Valerie as well. She has the same heart ❤ and flows with Holy Spirit. She is a powerful yet gracious leader. She shares Papa’s love wherever she goes. I have grown to love her and respect her as well.
I’m excited to see how The Lord will use them in the future. They dream really BIG with Jesus. I’m very grateful to have met you guys. Thanks for giving your YES!!!!
I love you both.
From a life that’s been impacted greatly,
Barb Shaw
When I think of Brian Britton it literally brings tears to my eyes because of the IMPACT of His ministry and love that He has for people all over the world; then when it comes to you personally, you are undone and forever changed. I love Brian and Valerie’s heart for Papa God and how they burn continuously for Jesus. It is contagious!
It was an honor to be a part of their church, the Dwelling Place, which was the most amazing place to assemble with other burning ones. Finally I found a place where it was OK to be so on fire for Jesus without being considered weird (smile). Thankfully Brian continues to follow Jesus passionately and led many of us into the missions field. He continuously imparts God’s love to us through the Harvest Family Network that he founded. I would definitely say that God uses Brian to connect us to our destiny and purpose because of the pure fire that flows in and out of him.
I am personally and forever grateful and thankful for their love that they have poured out to me and my family. Their friendship is worth more then gold and silver! I know there is still so much more for Brian and Valerie as they continue to go and be led by the Spirit of God may God do exceedingly far more than what they could ever ask think or imagine in Jesus name.
It is an honor to share what a blessing Brian Britton, his wife Valerie and The Lord’s ministry & calling upon their lives has been upon my life’s journey and that of all those who know them.
Pastor Brian understands the wild ones who were chosen out of the box from before the foundation of the world, and in the time I’ve known him, he has always been a vessel to carry The Father’s love…resonating the deep sound of a mighty whisper to the misfits who were pressing in further to hear directly from Holy Spirit. Such an encouragement to so so many to truly be who Jesus has called them to be no matter what that may look like!!!! Forever grateful!!!!!
Wow…so, honored and humbled by your words Brian and everyone who commented on your blog. I am truly speechless. Love and blessings from Pakistan where I will be for some days. Thankful we are together for His glory.