Music has been a part of Michael Brookins life since he was a child. At the age of 9 Michael developed an interest in playing the piano when Jazz Musician turned Gospel song writer, Eddie Robinson inspired him to play the piano, at a local Revival Service. Michael soon began his formal training. While in high school, he was asked to play for a Workshop Concert, held by two major University choirs, conducted by a Chicago based Gospel Recording Artist.

On Feb. 8th,1987, he was licensed into ministry at the Second Baptist Church, Joliet, IL. In 1986, Michael enrolled at Moody Bible Institute, in Chicago. While in Chicago, he had the pleasure of working with friends from Port Au Prince, Haiti, and Freeport Grand Bahamas as they conducted Annual Musical Concerts at a Haitian Church on Chicago’s south side.

In addition, Mike has found music to be a powerful form of outreach, and has had opportunities to participate in cross cultural musical events at Spanish speaking congregations as well as Creaole (Haitian Church), and Jewish speaking fellowships in Chicago. Moreover, he has had the honor of sharing his musical gift in ministry with homeless and impoverished persons from various rescue missions, shelters and ministries in the Chicago area.

Mike has had many musical mentors, instructors and influences including Prof. David Brackley of Sacred Music, MBI, Chicago, IL., Andre Brookins, Friendship Church, Rev. Clarence Williams, Loveland Missionary Baptist Church, Fontana, CA., Wade Beach, Andrews Airforce Jazz Band, and Prof. Ron Elliston, Univ. of MD.

In 1991, Michael moved to Maryland and transferred to Washington Bible College where he would finish his Undergraduate education. In 1994, upon graduating, he received the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges Bible Exam Award (AABC) for the Highest Score (141-150) among Bachelor of Arts Graduates.

Michael served as a Chaplain for 12 years at the Larkin Chase Nursing & Restorative Care Unit, in Bowie, MD. In addition, he has been on the ground floor of several church plants both in Illinois, and Maryland, helping to build music ministries from the ground up. Served five years as Min. of Music, Drama & Arts for NBCC Church in Bowie, MD.

In 1999, Michael served as Local Chairman, coordinating with Rev. Russ Knight (CURE), Dr. Aaron Hamlin (NBEA Executive Dir., Portland,OR), and Dr. Walter McCray (President & author of Black Presence in the Bible), and Dr. Ruth Bentley (NBEA Treasurer Chicago, IL) in bringing the National Black Evangelical Association to the Washington area for three consecutive years, having conferences in Baltimore (2000), Washington, DC (2001) and Prince Georges County (2002).

Currently, Michael serves as the Director of the Male Chorus of the Union Bethel AME Church in BrandyWine, MD. Michael resides in Maryland with his wife Marsha and two beautiful children Michael Jr. and Mikayla. At age 39, he still believes that Jesus is still the best thing that ever happened to him.

23 YEARS OF MUSIC MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS:

*Northern Illinois Univ. (Black Choir) & Illinois State Univ. Musical Workshop, was pianist for workshop conducted by Rev. Lamont Lenox. (1985)

*Holiday Star Theater, Merrillville, IN, Played for Ecumenical Easter Services (1988)

*1st Baptist Church, Omaha Nebraska, Singing Christmas Tree, accompanied Rev. Roy Patterson, Pastor/Producer Moody Radio (1989)

*Gaboan Baptist Church, Haitian Church-Chicago, IL, conducted Annual Cross Cultural Concerts, ministering w/ Min. Patrick Jeanty, Singer/Translator-Port-Au Prince, Haiti and Sis. Valencia Dean, Freeport, Grand Bahamas (1988 & 1989)

*Moody Founders Week 1990, played for Brazilian student vocalist on a national radio broadcast, & requested back for solo performance by President, Dr. Joseph Stowell.

*Hosted NBCC 1st-3rd Annual Music Workshops conducted by Rev. Clarence Williams, Min. of Music, Loveland Baptist Church, Fontana, CA (2001-2003)

*Hosted NBCC 4TH ANNUAL Music Workshops conducted by Gospel Recording Artist, Bro. Fred Steele, Minneapolis, MN “The Steele Family”(2004)

*Metropolitan Baptist Church, Played for Black History/Civil Rights Program (2004).

*Kappa Alpha Psi Annual Awards Banquet, University of Maryland Alumni, Christian Jazz Performance (2005)

*National City Church, Washington, DC, played for Sojourners Conference, accompanying Bro. Leviticus Thomas (2006/07)

*Democratic National Debate, Patriot Center, George Washington Univ., played for Sojourners Annual Conference, accompanying Bro. Leviticus Thomas (2007)

*Mothers Day Musical w/ Gospel Recording Artist Albert Phillips & Divine Messengers (2008).