By Sosamma Samuel=Burnett,
Founder/President, G.L.O.B.A.L. JusticE
My husband Zack and I met Don and Bridget Brewster in April 2001. We had just moved to Rocklin, California as Zack was beginning his training as a U-2 pilot at Beale Air Force Base. We were newlyweds who had not even been married a year. Zack was a new Christian and had started going to church only the year before in Mississippi. So we made it a priority to find a church home right away when we arrived in California. Zack suggested we try Adventure Christian Church in Roseville. I was hesitant because I had not gone to a contemporary, nondenominational church before and "Adventure" sounded very "California" to me. But he had an instinct about that church, so we started to attend.
The Founding Pastor RIck Stedman made such a great impression on us with his sermons that seemed to speak so directly to each person. And the church grew very quickly. The Executive Pastor was Don Brewster. While Rick continued to preach and reach the community, Don worked with the pastoral team to guide the church through its growth. And Don also made a tremendous impression on us with his heart for service. We engaged in various service projects that he coordinated in the community.
By November 2001, Adventure became an incredibly impactful part of our life. That month, Zack decided to be baptized, fully immersing (literally and figuratively) in his Christian faith. Don Brewster was the pastor who joined with me in baptizing Zack.
Soon after, Adventure grew so much that they started a satellite service at Rocklin High School. Don Brewster led that service and grew another part of the Adventure congregation. Zack and I and several others from Adventure made the decision to join Don and help that satellite service. That forged a deeper bond with not only Don but also Julie Harrold and others who worked with Don and befriended us.
Some time afterwards, Adventure shifted to a much larger building where both services could merge. Don continued to help guide the church through tremendous growth. During that time, he and Bridget were asked to go to Thailand to check on some of Adventure's missionaries. This was a travel experience that neither of them were fully desiring to do, but they went to be supportive. During that trip, they also travelled through Cambodia. Bridget enjoyed the Thailand trip, but did not like the Cambodia experience. But that experience left a strong imprint on both of them.
But one day in the midst of all that was their incredible church ministry, God called Don and Bridget in a mighty but different way. They were asked to shift from their pastoral roles at Adventure Christian Church and follow Him to Cambodia where they would establish the anti-sex trafficking work of Agape International Missions. Since that time, they have led AIM through remarkable valleys and peaks to reach and rescue thousands of women, men, and children from the intense evil of sex trafficking in a country that had been devastated by a tragic history. They were passionate about their work, and grew to love Cambodia and its people so much. They dedicated their lives to serving in the country and sacrificially gave everything they had to sustain AIM's ministry.
In 2005, I was introduced to the AIM Board by Bryce Jessup, who was President of William Jessup University and also AIM's Board Chair. I had just proposed and established a Public Policy Program at WJU and was starting my first year of serving as Chair of the Department. I wasn't sure that joining the AIM Board at that time was a good idea, but I believed in the cause and Bryce believed in me. Joining that Board meant working directly with Don & Bridget. That changed the trajectory of my relationship with them. They were no longer my pastors, but they were leaders that I had a responsibility to serve, support, guide, and encourage in their remarkable ministry at AIM.
A year after joining the Board, I had the opportunity to become Board Chair. Over the next 10 years, I served in that role both in California until 2013 and then in Colorado from 2013-2017. Over the total of 12 years that I served on the AIM Board, there was not a single day that I wasn't struck by the commitment, the sacrifice, and the tenacity of Don Brewster in the work of AIM. The only person who could match his dedication was his wife Bridget, who not only served alongside him in church ministry but in AIM's ministry as well.
Together they became international leaders in the fight against human trafficking, particularly sex trafficking. Their names and the work of AIM have resonated with, represented, and were quoted by so many advocates and survivors around the world as pioneers in this fight.
When I established G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice in 2014 in Loveland, CO, Don & Bridget were among the first people I reached out to join our Board. Despite being in the throes of their intense work with AIM, they chose to also support the work of this organization. They have served, supported, guided, and encouraged me through the past 10 years on the G.L.O.B.A.L. Board.
In September 2024, Don & Bridget travelled from Hawaii, their current home, to visit California and the AIM community for their events, and then to Colorado for G.L.O.B.A.L's 10th anniversary events. It was a truly blessed time with them and most of our Board and Staff from various parts of the country. During our 10th Anniversary weekend, I had the opportunity to recognize Don & Bridget for their support, leadership, and friendship, and especially Don for being such an amazing inspiration to so many, especially me.
I had no idea that when our weekend came to an end, that would be the last time I would see Don in this world. When Don & Bridget returned to California, he had a stroke. He then had the fight of his life. And when a second stroke ended that fight, no one was prepared for his passing. No one could have imagined in the days and weeks prior that this would be his last moments here..
I was in shock at the news of the stokes and then Don’s passing, especially given the beautiful time we had together in Colorado so recently. I know one day I will look back with remarkable joy at that weekend and at all the years of ministry we have shared with Don. But at the moment, I am overcome by a sadness that is deep and difficult. I find peace in knowing that we said all the things that needed to be said and had the all the moments that anyone could ask for with him. But I wrestle with the loss of some one who has meant so much to me for so long., though I know one day, I will see him again.
It has truly been a privilege to know and love Don and Bridget Brewster over so many years. There are many great leaders in this world, but there are few that have made the personal, professional, and spiritual impact of Don Brewster. There are many great people in this world, but there are few who have the pure heart and courageous spirit of Don Brewster. And there is only person who embodies all of these qualities in this particular life so well lived -- only Don Brewster.
I know that heaven is celebrating Don's arrival in an amazing way to welcome this good and faithful servant who loves Jesus and loved so many others, especially the vulnerable and abused in our world. We love you, Don, and we are so indebted to you for all the ways that you have loved us.