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Child of Grace: A Death Row Story
Dr. Chris Brown takes you on a journey of faith as he and his father discover God's grace in the most unlikely circumstances. Come along on the journey to the darkness of death row, into the light of Christ, and through the pain of an execution. This book is a unique look at redemption through the eyes of a child who sees his wayward father saved on the way to death row and follows his own road through darkness on the way to redemption. It's an amazing true story of God's unfailing grace and the redeeming love that is available to all.
Winner of the 2020 Illumination Book Award Gold Medal for Inspirational Biography/Memoir.
Winner of the 2020 Illumination Book Award Gold Medal for Inspirational Biography/Memoir.
168 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 3, 2022
4 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Chris Brown
4 books7 followersDr. Chris Brown loves Jesus, his family, and his church. Best known for his award-winning adult non-fiction books, Chris now writes Christian Middle Grade fiction in the form of the Secret Bible Society series. Learn more at www.secretbiblesociety.com.
Dr. Brown won the 2020 Illumination Book Award Gold Medal for the Biography/Memoir category with his first published book, Child of Grace: A Death Row Story.
Dr. Brown won the 2020 Illumination Book Award Gold Medal for the Biography/Memoir category with his first published book, Child of Grace: A Death Row Story.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 2, 2019
Reviewed by Kimberly Luyckx for Reader Views (2/19)
“I wasn’t born in jail, but I came pretty close.” This first line in “Child of Grace” by Chris Brown sets the stage for what is an honest account of a young son’s relationship with his father - a prison inmate on death row. After several episodes of drug related crimes, Gary Brown is charged with capital murder. Once incarcerated, he sobers up, realizes the errors of his ways and rediscovers Jesus. As a leader in the prison’s “Life Row Church,” Gary sees that despite his dismal situation there is hope. He is filled with the desire to do good and pledges to give up his evil ways and live for God’s salvation.
In his book, Chris Brown characterizes his mother and father as a present-day Bonnie and Clyde, always in trouble with the law. At the age of 3, his paternal grandparents adopt him and carefully raise him to not follow in his parent’s footsteps. Still mourning for their love and feeling an especially strong emotional connection to his father, the author describes his prison visits with fondness. Never having had a physical relationship with his father, Brown longed for these family reunions and associated the jail visits with vacations, treats and times when special allowances were given. All during his young life, the author is given ample opportunities to thrive. He dreams of becoming a successful engineer but fears his addictive behavior will lead him on the same path as his father. Will he be able to learn from his father’s mistakes?
Although it is a genuine story, “Child of Grace” reads a bit pragmatic - almost like a newscast with just the facts being presented. Granted, Brown has had to be emotionally detached throughout his life to function with such grim circumstances. But his honesty and conviction still shine through. And, Brown’s intention is clear - he wants to help others who may feel as though they are beyond rescue.
The author is definitely looking for his father’s redemption. But it’s not to say that Brown is advocating for anything other than decency. He is proud that his father discovered ways for others to receive God’s blessing. He specifically references a sermon in which Gary Brown preached to prisoners that they should serve God because they loved him and not because they think it’s their way out of jail. It is interesting to juxtapose this with today’s political pardoning of drug-related criminal offenders turned honorable citizens.
Author Dr. Chris Brown tells the true story of how his father, a death row inmate, shaped his life. “Child of Grace” is a quick read that has powerful references to the bible, focusing on the concepts of redemption and charity. Yet, it is a memory of a son who possesses a strong connection to his father despite the prison walls that divide them. This would be a good book for anyone struggling with alienation or addiction. Its uplifting message is motivation for keeping the faith each time there is a fall from grace.
“I wasn’t born in jail, but I came pretty close.” This first line in “Child of Grace” by Chris Brown sets the stage for what is an honest account of a young son’s relationship with his father - a prison inmate on death row. After several episodes of drug related crimes, Gary Brown is charged with capital murder. Once incarcerated, he sobers up, realizes the errors of his ways and rediscovers Jesus. As a leader in the prison’s “Life Row Church,” Gary sees that despite his dismal situation there is hope. He is filled with the desire to do good and pledges to give up his evil ways and live for God’s salvation.
In his book, Chris Brown characterizes his mother and father as a present-day Bonnie and Clyde, always in trouble with the law. At the age of 3, his paternal grandparents adopt him and carefully raise him to not follow in his parent’s footsteps. Still mourning for their love and feeling an especially strong emotional connection to his father, the author describes his prison visits with fondness. Never having had a physical relationship with his father, Brown longed for these family reunions and associated the jail visits with vacations, treats and times when special allowances were given. All during his young life, the author is given ample opportunities to thrive. He dreams of becoming a successful engineer but fears his addictive behavior will lead him on the same path as his father. Will he be able to learn from his father’s mistakes?
Although it is a genuine story, “Child of Grace” reads a bit pragmatic - almost like a newscast with just the facts being presented. Granted, Brown has had to be emotionally detached throughout his life to function with such grim circumstances. But his honesty and conviction still shine through. And, Brown’s intention is clear - he wants to help others who may feel as though they are beyond rescue.
The author is definitely looking for his father’s redemption. But it’s not to say that Brown is advocating for anything other than decency. He is proud that his father discovered ways for others to receive God’s blessing. He specifically references a sermon in which Gary Brown preached to prisoners that they should serve God because they loved him and not because they think it’s their way out of jail. It is interesting to juxtapose this with today’s political pardoning of drug-related criminal offenders turned honorable citizens.
Author Dr. Chris Brown tells the true story of how his father, a death row inmate, shaped his life. “Child of Grace” is a quick read that has powerful references to the bible, focusing on the concepts of redemption and charity. Yet, it is a memory of a son who possesses a strong connection to his father despite the prison walls that divide them. This would be a good book for anyone struggling with alienation or addiction. Its uplifting message is motivation for keeping the faith each time there is a fall from grace.
July 31, 2019
What do you think of when you hear the story of the thief on the cross? The one whom Jesus said “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). He was a man condemned to death for his crimes, yet he still wasn't too far gone for Jesus to reach. In our human nature it's hard for us to not place levels on sin. Have you ever heard someone say "there's a special place in hell for that one" or "don't worry, his bill will come to," or something along the same lines? I have, and I'll admit it didn't seem to bother me until I was older and grew more in my faith. The thing is, we all deserve hell. Jesus paid the ultimate price so that we could have a restored relationship with our Heavenly Father and one day enter Heaven. There isn't anyone too far gone for Jesus to reach.
Why do I say that and what does it have to do with this book? Dr Chris Brown is the son of a man who was sentenced to death for murder. He spent his childhood living with his paternal grandparents and only seeing his father Gary in prison. It was behind bars while on death row that Gary came to Christ. Apparently getting drugs while in prison wasn't too difficult, and initially he continued his lifestyle of drugs and pornography, but over time he felt convicted and turned away from those things. Eventually he became a minister of sorts in the prison, and shared his faith with anyone he could. While he still had earthly consequences for his sin, he lived the rest of his days serving the Lord in the capacity that he was able.
This book is part memoir and part testimony. It's a shorter read coming in at just under 200 pages (and is also smaller in dimensions), but holds such a powerful story of redemption. As a bit of a content warning, Dr. Brown shares some graphic details about the murder that resulted in his father's incarceration. I believe it's intentional to show that he's not trying to sugar coat or deny any of the things his father did. It was ugly. What he's trying to show us is just how much Jesus changed him from the inside out. Not only do we hear of his father's path to faith, but Dr. Brown also weaves his own testimony into the pages as well.
This was an incredibly powerful read and one I highly recommend. This would be especially great for those interested in starting and/or participating in a prison ministry. It holds a powerful message everyone could benefit from hearing though. There is certainly some difficult-to-read content, but it's intended to show just how much saving faith in Jesus can (and does) change people.
*I received a copy of this book from the author. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
Why do I say that and what does it have to do with this book? Dr Chris Brown is the son of a man who was sentenced to death for murder. He spent his childhood living with his paternal grandparents and only seeing his father Gary in prison. It was behind bars while on death row that Gary came to Christ. Apparently getting drugs while in prison wasn't too difficult, and initially he continued his lifestyle of drugs and pornography, but over time he felt convicted and turned away from those things. Eventually he became a minister of sorts in the prison, and shared his faith with anyone he could. While he still had earthly consequences for his sin, he lived the rest of his days serving the Lord in the capacity that he was able.
This book is part memoir and part testimony. It's a shorter read coming in at just under 200 pages (and is also smaller in dimensions), but holds such a powerful story of redemption. As a bit of a content warning, Dr. Brown shares some graphic details about the murder that resulted in his father's incarceration. I believe it's intentional to show that he's not trying to sugar coat or deny any of the things his father did. It was ugly. What he's trying to show us is just how much Jesus changed him from the inside out. Not only do we hear of his father's path to faith, but Dr. Brown also weaves his own testimony into the pages as well.
This was an incredibly powerful read and one I highly recommend. This would be especially great for those interested in starting and/or participating in a prison ministry. It holds a powerful message everyone could benefit from hearing though. There is certainly some difficult-to-read content, but it's intended to show just how much saving faith in Jesus can (and does) change people.
*I received a copy of this book from the author. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
June 7, 2019
It was truly an honor to read this book. Dr. Chris Brown, is a Birmingham AL, native and an UAH graduate in the aerospace and engineering fields; who has taken a very difficult life experience and turned it into more than just words on a page. It is even, more than a testimony. A beautiful example of the overwhelming, loving, grace, God extends to us in all circumstances throughout our lives.
“I wasn’t born in jail, but I came pretty close.” … “When my mom was going into labor with me in jail, nobody would have thought I would be called Dr. Brown one day.”
Chris doesn’t really remember when his dad wasn’t in jail. More importantly, when his dad wasn’t on death row. Most of us can’t even imagine what kind of life that must have been for a small child, much less to grow up like that. Despite all the circumstances that would suggest to the contrary, Chris did indeed have a relationship with his father and even a good one. We do things in life that distances us from God, but not even death row can stop Him from reaching us and extending His grace and mercy to us. Follow Chris and his dad’s story, and watch the awesomeness of God’s love in the most unlikely of places. You are never too far or done too much that God can’t reach you, wherever you are.
“I wasn’t born in jail, but I came pretty close.” … “When my mom was going into labor with me in jail, nobody would have thought I would be called Dr. Brown one day.”
Chris doesn’t really remember when his dad wasn’t in jail. More importantly, when his dad wasn’t on death row. Most of us can’t even imagine what kind of life that must have been for a small child, much less to grow up like that. Despite all the circumstances that would suggest to the contrary, Chris did indeed have a relationship with his father and even a good one. We do things in life that distances us from God, but not even death row can stop Him from reaching us and extending His grace and mercy to us. Follow Chris and his dad’s story, and watch the awesomeness of God’s love in the most unlikely of places. You are never too far or done too much that God can’t reach you, wherever you are.
June 9, 2019
You will absolutely love this book. I have never read an account like this. I found myself putting myself into the shoes of Dr. Brown as he walked through his story of how his father was on death row and how that affected his life. You can see God's hand at work throughout his story. I truly appreciate the transparency of Dr. Brown, who isn't afraid to tell you the true story of his struggles, of his father's struggles, and how by God's grace he saved them both. This is a book I believe everyone should read, a story of God's great grace and salvation.
**I received a copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
**I received a copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 25, 2019
Chris has an important story to tell, and I highly recommend this book.
July 20, 2021
Even in the prison cells of Death Row, God always wins!
February 12, 2019
I first met Chris Brown when he was a toddler and I was a teenager dating his uncle. I knew Gary. I remember when he was executed by the State. Terry and I went to his memorial visitation to support this wonderful family.
This amazing book is about the forgotten victims, the family of the one convicted, in particular the son, the Child of Grace.
This amazing book is about the forgotten victims, the family of the one convicted, in particular the son, the Child of Grace.
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February 27, 2019This book was a phenomenal telling of how God works His redemption through what we would think are unlikely places. I have known Chris for many years and it was amazing to hear the inner struggle and workings as he dealt with visiting his dad on death row and even dealing with the same struggles his father faced. Ultimately, God's story of salvation and redemption are for all those who are willing to receive it. And this personal account of God's grace is incredible.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews