Michael Fulp Jr.
Isaiah 6:8
"Then I heard the Voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"
This wonderful verse in Scripture is one I pray and ponder on often. When I was fifteen years old, I was in a youth group at my home Meeting of Forbush Friends, and we had been asked to lead worship for a Youth Sunday. The time came for one of us to volunteer to give the sermon. I felt the Call of the Holy Spirit to say like the Prophet Isaiah, "Here am I. Send me!" that Sunday at Forbush Friends was the first time I had the privilege of sharing the Word of God, and Thankfully, it was the first of many.
God began something in me that wonderful day, which has meant all the difference in my life.
After that day, he gave me other opportunities. While in high school, I was a member of the All in Awe NCYM Youth Ministry team, which shared the Lord's Words to Friends Meetings throughout North Carolina. I filled in for pastors within a few years as a pulpit supply.
In 2001, God led me to Guilford College, a Quaker School, where I earned my Bachelor of Science and became a Quaker Leader Scholar. During that time, God placed me with my Spiritual and pastoral mentor, Billy M. Britt, and I served with him as associate pastor at two Friends Meetings.
In 2005, God Led me to my first Senior Pastorate at Prosperity Friends Meeting in Robbins, NC. The Friends at Prosperity were patient and loving to me, and the lessons I learned while there were invaluable. During my five years at Prosperity, I was Recorded as a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the Religious Society of Friends. I Earned Graduate Degrees in Christian Ministry and Bible Studies from Carolina Evangelical Divinity School.
In 2010, God led me to my dear friends at Science Hill Friends Meeting in Asheboro, NC. The eight years I was at Science Hill were special to me, and the lessons and growth I experienced while amongst these Friends helped me grow as a pastor and a person. God led me to begin missionary work with my friends in Jamaica Yearly Meeting and grow as an Evangelist during my time with them.
Once again, in 2018, God asked: "Who shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And once again, I knew He was talking to me! God was speaking to me again to come to Cedar Square Friends Meeting, a very special place that I have deeply respected since I was a teenager beginning in Ministry. The opportunity to be among the many great, respected friends and ministers in Cedar Square's history is humbling and a great honor.
I am truly honored to be called to the Lord's service and very appreciative that the Lord has led me to be at Cedar Square Friends. And if anyone is reading this and is searching for a spiritual home, then we at Cedar Square would love to see you! Please come and join us so that together, when the Lord asks, "Who shall I send? And who will go for us?" We may together respond, "Here are we. Send us!"
Sterling C. Brown has been involved in youth ministry for over ten years. He graduated from Laurel University, formally known as John Wesley College, in High Point, NC. At the same time, attending Laurel University, Sterling worked at Springfield Friends Meeting as their Youth and Children’s Pastor. Sterling has a big heart for missions that started at a young age with NCYM-programmed mission trips. (Mexico/M.O.W.A). Sterling realized his passion for working with children, teens, and young adults from those programs and decided to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Ministries and Biblical Studies. In 2020, he started my journey of being recorded as a Friends minister. He received that honor in Aug. of 2022. That same year, he enrolled at Carolina University and started their Master's program in Christian Ministry. He plans to graduate Dec. of 2024!
Sterling leads a Christ-centered life focused on the following message; "I live out my life in tune with the Holy Spirit guiding me. To spread the Good News of Jesus Christ! To seek out those who are hurting and lost in this sinful world. I want to be a good friend to all of God’s children. To not judge them for their life choices, yet to accept them for who they are and their path with God, and to challenge them to grow closer to God through His Son Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.