👤 Who: Pastor Phil Daniels, Pastor Tommy Brown, Generations United Church congregation
📖 What: Leadership transition as Pastor Daniels retires and Pastor Brown becomes lead pastor
📅 When: October 26, 2025
📍 Where: Generations United Church, Niceville, Florida
💡 Why: To continue the church’s mission and ensure continuity after 40 years of leadership
NICEVILLE, FL – October 22, 2025 — Generations United Church, one of the longest-standing congregations in the Niceville area, has announced a major leadership transition that marks both the culmination of a remarkable pastoral legacy and the beginning of a new chapter in its 80-year history.
After four decades of service, Pastor Phil Daniels will retire from his position as Lead Pastor on Sunday, October 26, officially passing leadership of the congregation to Pastor Tommy Brown, who currently serves as Executive Pastor. The transition follows a multi-year period of intentional succession planning by church leadership.
Pastor Daniels first joined the church—then known as Niceville Assembly—in 1985 as Youth Pastor, serving alongside his wife, Kim. Over the years, he became a key figure in the church’s growth, guiding the congregation through both expansion and transformation. In 1993, Daniels became Lead Pastor, a position he has held for 32 years.
Under his leadership, the church underwent significant organizational and spiritual development. In 2015, Daniels led the church through a rebranding to become Generations United Church, reflecting a mission to bridge generational divides and create a faith community where all ages could worship and serve together.
Over the course of its 80-year history, Generations United has had only two lead pastors for approximately 60 of those years, making Daniels’ tenure one of the longest in the region.
“Pastor Phil’s leadership has been the steady hand that has guided our church through generations of change while maintaining our core values and commitment to the Gospel,” said Lead Pastor Designate Tommy Brown. “His legacy of faithfulness, compassion, and visionary leadership has left an indelible mark on our community.”
In addition to his work within the church, Daniels has played an active role in the broader Niceville community, supporting local outreach initiatives, youth programs, and inter-church partnerships.
Following his retirement, Pastor Daniels and his wife, Kim, will remain active members of the church. Together, they have founded a new nonprofit organization focused on church consulting and ministry leadership development, which will allow them to continue mentoring pastors and congregations throughout the region. The couple raised their two children, Kristen and Cameron, in the congregation.
Stepping into the role of Lead Pastor is Tommy Brown, who has deep personal and professional ties to Generations United Church. Brown first served as Youth Pastor from 2001 to 2008, where he was known for his emphasis on student discipleship and community outreach. After several years of ministry and academic work outside the area, he returned to Niceville in 2018 to serve as Executive Pastor, where he oversaw operations, teaching, and ministry development.
Brown brings a strong academic background and extensive pastoral experience to the position. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from Southeastern University, a master’s degree in Management from Troy University and Divinity from Wake Forest University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern University.
He is also an accomplished author, having published several works on faith and personal development, including his most recent book, “The Speed of Soul” (NavPress, 2025), which explores spiritual growth in a fast-paced world.
“Generations United Church has always been a place where faith is lived out across generations,” Brown said. “My goal is to honor the foundation Pastor Phil has built while continuing to reach our community with the message of hope and grace.”
Brown and his wife, Elizabeth, have two children, Seri and Seth, and have been active participants in both church and community life in Niceville.
Originally founded as Niceville Assembly in the 1940s, Generations United Church has been a fixture in the Niceville area for 80 years. The church has consistently emphasized spiritual growth, family ministry, and community engagement, with programs serving people of all ages—from children’s ministries and youth programs to small groups and outreach projects.
The congregation’s mission is centered on compassion, service, and building a stronger, more connected community through faith. Over the decades, Generations United has partnered with local nonprofits, schools, and other churches to meet both spiritual and practical needs in Okaloosa County and beyond.
A special service will be held on October 26, 2025, to honor Pastor Daniels’ four decades of service and officially install Pastor Brown as Lead Pastor. Church members and community guests are invited to attend the celebration and reflect on the church’s enduring role in Niceville’s faith community.
For more information about Generations United Church or the upcoming leadership transition, visit https://www.generationsunited.com.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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