John Browdy

Our beloved John, “whom Jesus loved,” Pastor Browdy, 63, of Hartford went home to rest in the Father’s arms on October 20, 2022. 

Known affectionately as “Johnny” to many, Dr. John Browdy was born on October 31, 1959 in Hartford, CT, the son of the late Thomas Mathews and the late Ida Mae Browdy.  John graduated from Hartford High School in Hartford, CT and briefly attended Springfield College (Springfield, Massachusetts) in pursuit of a degree in social services. After giving his life to Christ in 1994, John would later go on to pursue and obtain his PHD in Theology from Canon Bible College and Seminary Inc., in Orlando, Florida. 

John loved God and God loved him. He came from humble family beginnings and experienced many challenges and hardships in his early life. His search for meaning and purpose would ultimately prevail and be fulfilled when he discovered a profound love and zeal for God’s people and the harvest of souls for Jesus Christ.

 John was anointed with an understanding and compassion for the oppressed and castaways in society, as well as the many who had been left behind. He understood his assignment which was an apostolic mandate from Christ Himself to share the true Gospel and love of Christ with as many souls as possible. To reach the lost at all costs. This was John’s new foundation and the roots for his deep desire and commitment to serve others. 

John’s call to ministry began humbly at the Salvation Army in Hartford in 1995 where he would often serve food to the poor, conduct open-air services and even clean the toilets if that was what he was asked to do. After turning down the offer to attend officer’s training to become an officer in the Salvation Army, John set out and answered the call to build a ministry that he felt was missing in the community - and he did all things with 'good cheer.'

In 1999, he founded Radical For Christ Ministries, a small grass roots Christian movement that began in an apartment in East Hartford. There God sparked a flame that would affect and impact a whole city and many communities beyond. Folks young and old, street bound and professional, the 'churched and unchurched,' flocked to this ministry that no one had ever heard of - but that had so much FIRE. He became a pastor of pastors, a leader of leaders, and a father to so many.

Countless lives were SAVED for Christ and changed forever through the leadership and ministry of Dr. John “Pastor” Browdy.

He is survived by his three sons; John Browdy Jr. of Manchester CT, Joshua Elijah Browdy of Bloomfield CT, Jaequan Jose Marquez (step son) of Vernon CT, two Godsons; Jason and Jordan Goodman of East Hartford CT, his sister Barbara Browdy of Hartford, CT, brothers Clarence (Nancy) Browdy of Windsor Locks, and Thomas (Cynthia) Browdy and Cornelius Browdy of Hartford, CT; sister Mary Mathews of Stamford, CT, and Bobby Mathews and Tony Mathews of Mount Vernon New York. He is predeceased by brother Timothy Browdy and parents Ida Mae Browdy and Thomas Mathews.

Funeral Services will be held at the First Cathedral, 1151 Blue Hills Avenue Bloomfield, CT 06002 on October 31, 2022. Viewing Hours are at 10:00 am with Memorial Service at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery 2035 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06120, with a Repast from 2:00-5:00 pm at Vibz Uptown, 3155 Main St. in Hartford.

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