Anthony John B Brima

The Rev. Anthony John B. Brima, 70, of Worcester, transitioned from the earthly to the eternal life on February 16, 2023, with his loving family by his side. Rev. Brima was born in Taninihun Mboka, Moyamba District, Sierra Leone on February 10, 1953, the son of Pa. Mbembema Brima a Roman Catholic layperson, and Mama Omu Brima a devout Muslim. At the age of five, he chose Christianity and was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church. He grew up with his sister Janet Heinyama Brima and other relatives in Taninihun where he began his elementary school education. He completed elementary school education in Moyamba, and attended Holy Trinity Catholic secondary school in Kenema. While attending secondary school, he met the Late Rev. Vincent, head teacher of the United Methodist Primary school and Pastor of the Kercher Memorial United Methodist Church, who together with his wife Millicent, encouraged him to worship in their protestant congregation. Having grown up in the Roman Catholic tradition, it was difficult to follow the liturgy in the United Methodist Church. However over time, the theology, liturgy, and practicing faith of the congregation convinced him to become a United Methodist. Upon graduation from secondary school, he taught at United Methodist Primary schools in Lowoma village, and Kenema town. While there, he was called into ministry, applied for ministerial studies, and was accepted as a ministerial candidate by the Sierra Leone Annual Conference. In 1977, he enrolled in the Sierra Leone Theological Seminary. He was ordained an Elder in the United Methodist Church in 1981 and appointed Chaplain & Lecturer of New Testament Studies & Comparative Religions to Bo Teachers College, Bo. Along with that assignment, he was also assigned to the Centenary United Methodist Church as an Associate- Minister. The following year he was assigned as Pastor-In-Charge, of Rogers Memorial United Methodist Church . Simultaneously, he continued to serve as Lecturer, Chaplain, and Assistant Warden of students at the Bo Teachers College. He immigrated to the United States to pursue further education at the Fuller Theological Seminary in California, earning a Master of Divinity degree. Following graduation from Fuller Theological Seminary, Rev. Brima served in ministry at the Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, California. He also worked as a counseling therapist. He continued to serve the lord in ministry in the New England, Wyoming, and Susquehanna Conferences of the United Methodist Church, serving as Pastor in charge of the Limestone United Methodist Church in Limestone, Maine, Wakefield -Lynnfield United Methodist Church in Wakefield, MA, Parkway United Methodist Church in Milton, MA, Epworth United Methodist Church in Worcester, MA, Albright United Methodist Church in Wilkes Barre, PA, Firwood United Methodist Church in Wilkes Barre, PA, Faxon-Kenmar United Methodist Church in Williamsport, PA , and St. Paul -Calvary United Methodist Church in Williamsport, PA. Pastor Anthony was the first African American minister to serve in seven of the eight congregations he pastored in the U.S. Furthermore, he also served as pastor in Charge of King Memorial United Methodist Church in Freetown, Sierra Leone. He served on various conference committees including the District Committee on Ministry in the New England and Susquehanna Conferences, the District Committee on Buildings & Relocation, and as a Clergy Covenant Leader of Boston Hope District in the New England Conference. Rev. Brima was a devoted Christian who touched many lives spiritually, socially, and intellectually through his sermons, visits, counseling, and prayers in moments of joy and times of sadness. Rev. Brima is survived by his wife Annie, his children Sahr Senesie, Sia J. Brima, Hindolo S. Brima, and Kenie M. Brima of Sacramento, CA, Mustapha Brima, Miata Brima and Bambanga Brima of Massachusetts. He is also survived by his former wife Feimata D. Kamanda of Sacramento, California, with eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by several nephews and nieces including Michael Thomas, David Thomas, Abdul Delaney, and Phibian Kallokoh. His cousins include Janet Jigba, George Moiwo, Musu Koroma, Francis Vincent, Dauda Kallay,& Musa Gulama. Other relatives & friends include Andrew Josiah, Gabriel Prince Trye & family, Rev. Sylvanus Chapman, Bishop J.C. Humper, the Family of the late Rev. & Mrs. Vincent of Kenema, the family of the late Mr. Mrs. Kamanda of Bo, Rev. & Mrs. Rogers of Bo, Rev. & Mrs. Foray, Rev. Janet Kamara, Mr. & Mrs. Catherine Sesay and Ms. Princess Boima. He was predeceased by his parents and sister Janet Brima. Rev. Brima’s family has given the Bishop Funeral home the privilege of caring for him.

Anthony John B Brima

February 10, 1953 - February 16, 2023