Ministry Staff

Ministers: All the People
Your Church Staff

Rev. Dr. James L. Brewer-Calvert
Senior Pastor

Senior Pastor James L. Brewer-Calvert is delighted to be able to get up every morning, raring to go and serve Christ and the whole people of God.

James was born and raised in East Harlem in New York City. His parents, Buffy and Rev. George Calvert, were urban missionaries, starting and sustaining multi-ethnic congregations committed to embodying the social gospel of Jesus Christ. James received a B.A. degree from Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass.; a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in NYC; and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Lexington Theological Seminary in Kentucky. He is married to the Rev. Betty Brewer-Calvert, who is the Chaplain for Campbell Stone Senior Living Communities in Atlanta. They have two adult children and a daughter-in-law, and are owned by two cats.

James recently celebrated 25 years as the Senior Pastor of First Christian Church of Decatur (1998-present), and, as he is fond of saying, is here for as far as he can see. Previously, James served congregations in East Harlem; Dallas, Texas; and Jackson, Tennessee. A member of the Decatur Rotary Club, he is involved in a variety of neighborhood, city and regional organizations that seek to make a difference in the world today.

His hobbies include writing spiritual scripts and nonfiction narratives, cheering for Georgia’s sports teams, clowning, and sampling every dish at pot-luck suppers. Most importantly, James is a people-person who loves to listen.

Rev. Dr. Brewer-Calvert passed away on July 18, 2023. He is deeply and sincerely missed by all who knew and loved him.


William E. Garner
Director of Music

William earned his B.S.Ed in music and his M.M.E. from Western Carolina University where he was also the Graduate Assistant to the University’s School of Music. He has served as the Director of Music in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) since 1994.

In 1998 William became the Director of Music at First Christian of Decatur (Disciples of Christ) where he directs the Chancel Choir and Handbell Ensemble. As well as serving the church, he teaches for the Clayton County Public Schools.

To contact William Garner:
fccdwilliam@gmail.com
404-378-3621


Daniel C. Brower
Associate Pastor

Daniel Brower is a Georgia native, which is abundantly clear as soon as she opens her mouth. She serves as a chaplain candidate in the Army National Guard and holds degrees in divinity and dramatic writing.

Daniel is married to TW Brower and they reside with their two rabbits and foster cat in Winder, Georgia. She was ordained to the Christian Ministry in 2023. Daniel has served as the associate pastor of First Christian Church of Decatur since the summer of 2022 and as church administrator since the summer of 2023.

To contact Daniel Brower:
cbookhoop@gmail.com


Adam Cole

Church Organist

Adam Cole serves as the Organist for First Christian Church of Decatur. A composer and jazz musician, as well as a classically trained singer and pianist, he is the Director of Willow Music (www.willowschoolga.com/willow-music), a school for private music instruction. Adam also maintains an educational YouTube Channel, TruerMU, The Truth About Music (www.truermu.com).

Adam received his Bachelor of Arts from Oberlin College in 1991 and his Master of Music from Georgia State University in 2006.

To contact Adam Cole:
www.acole.net