We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mario Brown. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mario below.

Mario, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

The name “Life Matters” effectively captures the core message and purpose behind my practice. It signifies the significance and value of life itself, highlighting the importance of living a meaningful and fulfilling existence. It also reflects my personal experiences, insights from pastoral counseling, and conversations with friends, where I discovered the imbalance between success in societal standards and true fulfillment in life. I grew increasingly concerned, not only for the well-being of my parishioners and friends but also for my own. It became evident that we were all caught up in the relentless pursuit of making a living, while unintentionally neglecting the art of truly making a life.

Lastly,I desired the name of my company to encompass the heartfelt sentiment that, amidst our commitment to helping, serving, and providing for others, our personal lives also hold tremendous significance and deserve attention.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a native Atlantan, aged 57, with a diverse background that encompasses 30 years of full-time pastoral ministry and significant experience in the shipping industry, particularly with SeaLand Services, a division of CSX Railroad. Alongside my professional journey, I take pride in being the owner of a delightful two-year-old Golden Doodle named Teagan. I also have a genuine passion for history and documentaries.

In 2017, I felt a profound calling to the coaching industry as it aligns seamlessly with my authentic self.
Known for my intentional and attentive listening skills, people have always relied on me to provide support. Additionally, my spiritual gifts allow me to perceive situations prophetically and develop strategies that lead to positive outcomes, greatly enhancing the value I offer through my practice.
At Life Matters, we focus on five key areas to bring about transformative change: Transformative Thinking for Success, Wisdom and Insight, PathFinders, Relationship Recovery, and Entrepreneurship Vision Development and Alignment. For more comprehensive details on each service, please visit our website at www.mariocbrown.org.

I consider myself extremely fortunate to serve a diverse clientele that includes attorneys, doctors, educators, corporate executives, and both active and retiring military personnel. My unwavering commitment lies in helping clients recognize their authentic brilliance, surpassing the boundaries of traditional success and embracing holistic well-being. At Life Matters, we guide individuals towards not just healing, but becoming whole.

I am immensely grateful to have witnessed the impactful work of Life Matters. It has played a pivotal role in restoring families, healing broken hearts, launching successful businesses, and most importantly, profoundly transforming souls. The life-changing experiences we facilitate have left an indelible mark on those we have served.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the world underwent a drastic transformation and many institutions faced difficult decisions, I found myself at a crossroads with my church. While some churches hesitated to close their doors, prioritizing attendance over safety, I made a resolute choice without any hesitation. I decided to close our church, guided by a divine message I had received from God a year prior. He had spoken to me, urging me to establish an infrastructure that would reach people far beyond the confines of Alabama. Little did I know then that a deadly pandemic would emerge just months later.

Conversations with my business partner about starting a virtual church had already been taking place. We encountered individuals who had long abandoned the idea of attending a physical church but sought spiritual connection and leadership from me. I soon realized that God’s message to me extended beyond live streaming; it encompassed my marketplace ministry. The challenge presented by the pandemic became the catalyst for expansion. I remember informing my congregation that we would be closing temporarily, uncertain of when we would reconvene. What mattered most to me was ensuring that our church would not become a place where people contracted COVID-19 and faced potential harm. I grappled with how to transition the congregation to a virtual setting, what that setting would look like, how we would adapt, and most importantly, whether it would be effective. I also endured criticism and backlash from other pastors, but I chose to trust and follow God, and my congregation placed their trust in me as I obeyed God’s instructions.

Additionally, the challenge I faced was significant because I chose not to utilize Facebook Live, a platform that many outsiders didn’t understand. Instead, my vision was to foster a community founded on genuine engagement and meaningful connections. My desire was for the ministry to transcend mere showmanship or production, focusing on building an authentic and profound bond with those we served.

As the country gradually reopened and people returned to work and church, I received a significant and life-changing call from Saafir Malik, one of my closest friends and like a brother to me. He conveyed a message he had received from God. I had not discussed with him prior to his call anything about this matter. He said: “Your voice can no longer be contained within your building.” The meaning was crystal clear—I understood that we would not be returning to our physical church. I sought divine guidance through prayer, asking God for a divine strategy. This realization meant that the concept of church, as I had known it, would be forever transformed.

God revealed the plan, and the hearts of the people aligned with it. I had to let go of everything I had known about church and navigate uncharted territory for me. Ironically, my business ventures had initially placed me in the marketplace, only to witness my ministry follow suit. It became the most transformative challenge of my life, liberating me in ways that are difficult to put into words.

The ministry has flourished in ways it never would have solely within the confines of Auburn. Individuals who had lost faith in God, life, and themselves discovered empowerment and forged a genuine connection to God without the trappings of traditional church structures. While the transition posed initial mental and emotional challenges, a newfound sense of peace and tranquility washed over me for the first time in over two decades. I challenged myself to confront my fears and apprehensions, to denounce cognitive dissonance, and to wholeheartedly follow God’s lead. I have no regrets about this extraordinary journey.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

During my upbringing, I was taught the Golden Rule, which states, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This profound teaching originates from Jesus’ sermon on the Mount. However, what was not explicitly conveyed is that there will be individuals who, despite your kindness and support, will not reciprocate in the same manner. For many years, this concept caused me deep pain, yet I remained attached to it because it had become ingrained in both my mind and heart.

Imagine the disappointment one experiences when they give wholeheartedly, sometimes even sacrificing their own needs, to a person, job, organization, or community, only to find themselves abandoned in their own time of need. What I have come to learn is that the issue does not lie with the recipient of my service, sacrifice, or generosity. Rather, it is a matter of perspective, or rather, a lack thereof. I had to introspectively examine my own trauma, brokenness, and the cultural teachings I had received. Being naturally inclined toward generosity and support, I sought to create inclusive spaces wherever I went. I would scan the room, identifying those who seemed least engaged or connected, and make an effort to involve them, ensuring they felt seen and valued.

However, I began to notice that the people to whom I extended patience, trust, and both financial and emotional support were not reciprocating in the same manner. Initially, I blamed and accused them of being uncaring, selfish, or narcissistic. While some of those attributes may have been true, I realized there was a deeper layer to this situation. I understood that harboring anger or placing blame would not alter this dynamic; it would only empower them to continue their behavior, as I remained committed to the Golden Rule.

It finally dawned on me that they were not the problem. The issue lay within my personal theology, belief system, and lack of expectation management. I recognized that while the scripture and the Golden Rule may be solid principles, not everyone will adhere to them. It was up to me to determine how, when, where, and to whom I would extend my support. I learned that I am not obligated, under any circumstance, to “cast pearls to swine,” so to speak. Furthermore, I grasped the empowering truth that I have sovereign control over my availability.

These realizations have become beautiful and empowering principles that work for my own well-being. I have embraced the understanding that my giving and support should be offered wisely and with discernment, directed towards those who reciprocate and value the significance of genuine connection. By aligning my actions and expectations, I have found a newfound sense of empowerment and peace.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mariocbrown.org
• Instagram: @lifematterswith_mario
• Youtube: LIfe Matters with Mario Brown
• Other: lifematters.talkingvcard.net

Image Credits
Kerry Varner Next Level Photography Colson Photography