M.L. Brooks: Soldier of the Central Jurisdiction

By Reginald E. Lee
Special to the Hoosier UM News

History is often viewed as something that happens in the past and analyzed in the present. Yet, every now and then, God allows you to be in the midst of history makers. I first met Rev. Magellan Lee Brooks when I was appointed to New Hope UMC in Anderson. All I really knew about him was that he had successfully pastored New Hope for 15-years. But, this refined and dignified preacher taught me so much about black life in the old Central Jurisdiction. It is one thing to read about persons in the past, but it is totally another thing to meet someone who helped make the history you studied.

For the last four years Dr. Brooks has helped me to put a face, and a family to the Central Jurisdiction. This man who was proud to call himself a Methodist had suffered bitter disappointments at the hands of his white brothers and sisters. Yet, his dogged strength allowed him to serve the Methodist Episcopal Church for more than five decades. Magellan's story is indicative of the dedication and determination of the sun kissed children of the Central Jurisdiction.

When we saw Rev. Brooks at annual conference, always smiling, always ready to make new friends, we saw a man who represented the highest ideals of Methodism. These ideals and traits were born out the experience of his itinerate ministry. He was called to ministry at the tender age of 20. In 1935 he met and married the woman that he would spend the rest of his life with. From this union eight children were born. His first assignment was a dual charge in Eufaula and Porter, Oklahoma. His itineration took him across five states; he traveled living in parsonages from Oklahoma to Texas.

While pastoring in Little Rock, Arkansas Dr. Brooks matriculated at Philander Smith College (one of our historically black Methodist Colleges) while there he received his college and seminary training. M.L. was a man who had a deep thirst for spiritual insight wedded to academic excellence. He was ordained an elder in 1938, just one year before the Central Jurisdiction was created. Pastor Brooks exemplified the now famous quote by Charles Wesley "unite the two so long disjoined -- knowledge and vital piety."

In each of our annual conferences around the nation there are those saints who suffered through the Methodist Church's moral failure on the issue of race. M.L. was at the Uniting Conference in 1939 when the Central Jurisdiction was officially formed. Many ask, Why did they stay? However, the more searching question is: How did they keep from becoming bitter? Please understand: M.L. Brooks and others who labored in the Central Jurisdiction had to make a choice to love instead of hate.

For more than 30 years, 15 of those in an active status, Rev. Magellan Lee Brooks labored as a clergy person in the newly formed North Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He was faithful to the end. He took sick last October and was gathered to the ancestors quietly on Nov. 29. Hundreds upon hundreds came to say farewell to this soldier from the Old Central Jurisdiction. With black and white gathered together to bid the drum major for peace farewell we sang his favorite song: "I'm On the Battlefield For My Lord."

Servant of God Well Done!

The Rev. Reginald E. Lee is pastor of New Hope UMC, Anderson. Dr. Lee is also adjunct professor of Methodist Studies Anderson University School of Theology.

Last updated on 01/14/2004

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