Rising from the ashes, local pastor looks to rebuild after tragedy

Resilient, strong, determined, are just a few words that could be used to describe Port Huron resident Kimberly “Kim” Brown. A local leader who seeks to bring about change, not only on a spiritual level, Brown is a frequent presence actively participating in decisions and organizations that support the community.

Brown and the local faith community endured a significant loss in recent months when Zion Cathedral of Praise International Ministries, Inc. located on Moak Street in Port Huron was destroyed by fire this past summer. Established in April 1951, Brown has served as Senior Pastor of the Pentecostal church since 2010.
Zion Cathedral of Praise International Ministries, Inc. in Port Huron was destroyed by fire in July.
“From my discussion with the fire chief, it was probably something in one of the back areas that combusted, but we are currently unsure on what exactly,” Brown says. “Arson has been ruled out as a cause of the fire, and thank God there were no injuries. This incident has definitely hindered our work as we no longer have a place to go back to.”

Since the fire, she says that they have been working on efforts to rebuild, getting things back in order to continue the community outreach she and the staff at the church were involved in prior to the incident. In the meantime, Brown has been holding services at other Port Huron churches including St. John's United Church of Christ and BRIDGES.  

Although there is no specified date, Brown is looking to start rebuilding sometime in 2023 on another section of the property.

“We have always been involved in the community and plan to continue those efforts and services, but we have to start afresh,” says Kim Brown.

“We have always been involved in the community and plan to continue those efforts and services, but we have to start afresh,” Brown says. “We are now on the receiving end of the blessings as others in the community are reaching out to help us pick up the pieces. It’s beautiful to see the expression of God’s love through these individuals.”

Outside of her work as a pastor, Brown is actively engaged in the community. She currently works as President of SCCORE (St. Clair County Organizing for Regional Equity) where she has served for three years and has also recently successfully campaigned for a spot on the St. Clair County Community College Board of Trustees in last month’s general elections and will now be on the college’s board for its six-year term. 

“It’s been a beautiful experience of what can come from tragedy,” she says. “It’s kind of like the phoenix when it rises from out of the fire.”