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The Three: My Life As An Armor Bearer
By Savay Burroughs, SPCBC Coordinator of Men’s Ministry
I Chronicles 11:17-19 (The Message)
15-19 “The Big Three from the Thirty” made a rocky descent to David at the Cave of Adullam while a company of Philistines was camped in the Valley of Rephaim. David was holed up in the Cave while the Philistines were prepared for battle at Bethlehem. David had a sudden craving: "What I wouldn't give for a drink of water from the well in Bethlehem, -- the one at the gate!" The Three penetrated the Philistine camp, drew water from the well at the Bethlehem gate, shouldered it, and brought it to David. And then David wouldn't drink it! He poured it out as a sacred offering to God saying, "I'd rather be damned by God than drink this! It would be like drinking the lifeblood of these men; they risked their lives to bring it." So he refused to drink it. These are the kinds of things that the Big Three of the Mighty Men did.
This passage depicts the vision of Elders Corey Fonville and Vaughn Curmon as Armor Bearers to Pastor David K. Brawley. While many may think an Armor Bearer is a “bodyguard” or a “driver” for the Pastor, in this interview we will learn that this is an assignment that is a far greater task than imagined.
Tell us about yourself and your family?
Elder Vaughn Curmon (VC): I am 44 years old, married to Jestine Curmon for 21 years. I have two daughters – Jazmine, who is 19 and Javonni who is 13. I am employed by the MTA. I’ve been a member of St. Paul since 1995.
Elder Corey Fonville (CF): I’m 40 years old, single and the father of 2 daughters – Ebony (22) and Ashley (20). I’ve been a member of St. Paul for nine years, and am employed by the City of New York.
Did you know what an armor bearer was prior to your assignment?
VC: Not really. I thought of it as no more than private security.
CF: I had no idea!
What are some of your duties/responsibilities as an Armor Bearer?
VC: Our duties are far more than being a bodyguard or protector. To tell the truth, Pastor Brawley can more than protect himself. My job is to be an interceptor, not to have him distracted. He has so much to do, I try to intercept and filter out as much as I can to free him up to do his pastoral duties. I’m totally committed in all aspects – spiritually and emotionally. Sometimes Pastor just needs to talk and unwind, so whatever he needs I’m there to provide. When to speak, when to listen and when never to invade his space are key aspects of my job.
CF: Sometimes after Pastor Brawley has just concluded his sermon, we have to be real stern with members who are trying to get to him. Pastor Brawley loves his people and always wants to stop and greet the worshippers, but there are times when he’s finished preaching but still in his zone; that’s when he needs his space and sometimes the members don’t understand. There are times when we’ve ushered him back to his office, and he’s still in the pulpit, still getting insight, still caught up in the spirit. That’s when we have to step in and guard his space. It’s a spiritual connect we share.
VC: We have to be very observant, pay attention, always watching his (Pastor Brawley’s) body language and his demeanor. I got him down to where I know what he needs before he asks.
How were you chosen?
VC: Elder Ron Hudson, Servant to the Bond Servant -- Rev. Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood -- chose me as Pastor Brawley’s Armor Bearer. God called me!
CF: Vaughn chose me, but Pastor Brawley picked me. One Wednesday night at One Hour Watch, Vaughn was absent and I found myself just observing Pastor’s every move. I had watched Vaughn work prior to this night and felt a need to “cover” Pastor in Vaughn’s absence. The following Sunday, I bumped into Pastor Brawley and he said, “Remind me to give you a key to my office. You’re gonna be one of my Armor Bearers.”
So what I’m hearing is Armor Bearers begat each other?
VC & CF: Exactly!
Do your responsibilities as an Armor Bearer ever conflict with you being Elders?
CF: I’m an Elder first, so there’s no conflict. As an Elder, I serve the people of God. As an Armor Bearer, I serve God in a man.
Tell us about the time consuming factor as an Armor Bearer.
VC: Juggling work and family is definitely a challenge. Initially, my wife didn’t understand the sacrifice, but because of blessings that I’ve directly associated with the work of being Pastor’s Armor Bearer, she understands now as do my daughters. My wife has been blessed as well, and serves as a personal prayer intercessor for Pastor Brawley. I feel that God has honored our service to the man of God by blessing me and my family. So yes, it is time consuming, but it’s also fulfilling and rewarding.
CF: I work full time, so there are restraints, but because I work during the day and Vaughn works at night, we’ve also got Pastor covered. At the outset of a personal relationship, I always make it clear that my duties of Armor Bearer take precedence.
Do you travel with Pastor Brawley?
CF: I’ve traveled with him to California, Texas and have been on cruises with him.
VC: We’ve traveled together - Seattle, Chicago, Texas, and most importantly, we were honored to be with him when he received his Masters degree in Los Angeles. I call it my mission to deliver the man of God.
Elder Curmon, Elder Fonville says “you’re a wild driver!” Would you like to respond?
VC: I drive aggressively, but safe, and I’ve never been late for an appointment! It seems sometimes the roads just open up when you’re driving the Man of God!
How have Elders Ron Hudson and David Miller as Armor Bearers to Dr. Youngblood helped you in your roles?
VC: Elders Hudson and Miller paved the way for us to serve. They took the initial flack, if you will, so when we were assigned, there was little if any negative feedback. I thank God for them paving the way and setting the example of how to serve as Armor Bearers.
Tell us about your relationship with each other.
CF: We met through Horace Moore. At first it was just “What’s up? How you doing?”, but unbeknownst to us, our daughters knew each other. Our relationship has grown to where we consider ourselves as brothers. I’m more reserved and Vaughn is more assertive. Vaughn will bark before he bites. I won’t bark. We compliment each other, and both enjoy serving God through the Man of God.
What changes have you noticed in Pastor Brawley since his days as Assistant to Pastor Youngblood?
CF: Pastor has grown tremendously. He can now dream without the restrictions of being an Assistant. He recognizes that the bar has been set high, but he relishes the challenge and opportunity. I see his growth in his ability to lead meetings and manage staff. He’s definitely a Pastor now, not just a preacher.
Tell us a funny experience with Pastor Brawley.
VC: Well, by now you’ve heard the story about when Pastor Brawley started losing his hair. I was telling him for some time that it was all over. He and Corey were still hugging the illusion that his hair still could be saved. Finally, I bought him the shaving cream and razors. One day, I came into his office and threw them on his desk and said, “Doc, it’s that time, don’t fight it anymore.” That’s when he shaved his head.
CF: We were vacationing in Barbados and decided to go snorkeling. Shortly after we started, my mask suddenly filled up with water and I thought I was drowning. In his reserved tone that he always maintains, he looked over at me and quoted Denzel Washington’s line from Training Day, “Just breathe dog; just breathe. Let it out.” It wasn’t funny then, but we laugh about it now.
In closing, I’d like to wrap up the interview with thoughts from Pastor Brawley on his relationship with his armor bearers -- two men who have been closest to him for the past three years; whose roles will become even that much more important as he settles into his new role as Senior Pastor. He shared the following:
Pastor David K. Brawley: The life of an urban pastor is fraught with incredible challenges and impossible demands. No one knows this better than an armor bearer. Armor bearing, in some circles, is thought to be an ecclesiastical extravagance, but Vaughn and Corey have witnessed my 12-14-hour meal-skipping long days. They know what it is to be drained from accompanying me to multiple homegoings and hospital visits. I am not always privy to what it costs them in their personal lives to stand with me to do the Lord’ s work, but I am grateful. To their families and loved ones, I am in your debt for loaning me your husband, father, brother, son and friend. I often reflect that theirs is a volunteer position with little perks, but so was being one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. There is no record of compensation when the disciples followed Jesus, but the benefits seemed to outweigh the burdens; the fulfillment outweighed the frustration. It is my hope and prayer that Elders Curmon and Fonville in the days to come will be able to testify to the same. If I am considered to be successful in any regard, I owe it to my ancestors who paved the way, my mentors who modeled the way, my peers who walk in the way, but mostly the Lord who keeps making a way. While I owe everything to God, I thank Him daily for the people in my life who are legitimately my friends. I salute my dearest friends. Thanks Vaughn and Corey for walking with me.
