Gavin Brown

Lead Pastor, Lifehouse Church

I met Mr. Fisher at my rental complex when I was 11 or 12. First Generation College Bound had a program called the Homework Club, where kids could come from the neighborhood and work with mentors and tutors. Mr. Fisher became a person who was regularly in my life. He came over to my house when I didn’t go to Homework Club, phoned me a lot and gave me a lot of encouragement. I was one of six children, my dad worked three jobs, my mom worked at McDonald’s. My parents had not gone to college. When I got my job I helped out with the groceries. I don’t think I would have gone to college without Mr. Fisher. I might be a Taco Bell manager today. He gave me exposure through bus trips to college campuses. He helped me sign up for PSAT and SAT tests. He showed me how to apply for financial aid. Those things were huge. When I got to Valley Forge Christian College, Mr. Fisher continued to call me and talk about the different stages I was at. We met when I was home on break, and he continued to play a vital role. Once, in a family crisis, my family became homeless. I thought about leaving college to help out. Mr. Fisher told me to stay the course, that quitting was not an option. He and First Generation College Bound helped shape me into the person I am today.