Today we’d like to introduce you to Muche Ukegbu.
Hi Muche, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born in dead in every sense of the word. The doctors frantically rushed to resuscitate me as my family begged God to spare their second born. God in His mercy did, and thus I was named Onyemauchechukwu Azunna Ukegbu, which translated means no one knows God’s mind. That stayed in the back of my mind growing up because I couldn’t figure out how a loving God would allow me to go through the myriad of struggles I experienced in childhood. That question served as the ammunition I used for disbelief and plagued me until I encountered the very God I questioned so sincerely. I grew up in a city surrounded by brokenness and the beauty but I never heard the gospel clearly so I was skeptical at all things religious, that skepticism melted away and my eyes were opened one night a youth group event I was lured to chasing food and girls. In that moment life changed forever as God saved me. Almost immediately He birthed in me a passion for the hurting, distressed, and the broken hearted as an extension for His heart. That burden was coupled with the urban context because I knew there were so many others like myself who never heard the gospel or saw an accurate picture of Jesus. That burden grew in college leading me to shift majors and upon graduation, and marriage, I moved with some of my closest friends, to plant a church in Atlanta. In Atlanta, while leading and experiencing some of the greatest highs, my family and I experienced one of our deepest lows; my little brother was tragically murdered at the age of 21. At that juncture I was sure if I wanted to be Christian anymore, let alone a pastor. Nevertheless, in that pain, Jesus met me again and began healing my heart. Eventually, my vision and passion returned leading my family and several other people to move to Miami to start a church united by a single idea and dream. The idea, the gospel changes people and people change the world. The dream, seeking the kingdom of God in Miami as it is in heaven through helping people be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and change the world. Currently I serve as the lead pastor of the brook church Miami, where we are diligently serving and working towards that end. In the past year we were able to acquire a property in Little Haiti/Little River area which has allowed us to have deeper roots in our community for greater local impact, even if we still have a regional reach as a church. It’s been a wild ride, but at every juncture the reality of my name has proven true. What I’ve become more certain of is through the plans of God might be difficult to see, the character of God is undeniably clear; he is good, just, gracious, and loving. I’m grateful those plans and his character have brought me and my family to this city. It’s home for my amazing wife of 16 years, Diamone, and my three children, Serenity-15, Joelle-13, and Noah-12.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Having to navigate tragedy without losing hope.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I currently serve as the Lead Pastor of the Brook Miami, where I lead out in preaching, vision, and spiritual formation. With a passion for leadership, culture, and people, it brings me great joy to see the gospel come alive in people’s hearts and help them live off the page of their own story.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My family and helping people live off the page of their own story
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Thebrookmiami.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrookmia
- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/thebrookmiami
