Conversations with Joshua Brown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Brown.

Hi Joshua, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in Moultrie, Georgia, raised by my grandparents, Curtis and Ella Mae Molden, from birth. My family dynamic was complicated—my relationship with my dad was present but distant at times, and my mom struggled with drug abuse, which made home life challenging.

From as early as I can remember, I was drawn to music and art. At four years old, I was playing a cardboard box like a drum during worship at my grandmother’s church. Not long after, I started singing in churches around town—usually in a full suit—and people would call me a “little preacher man.” Around that same time, I fell in love with drawing after watching my kindergarten teacher sketch on the board. I became obsessed with recreating what I saw.

My grandparents supported those passions however they could—showing up to performances, paying for art camps, even when money was tight. Looking back, I realize how much they sacrificed. We lived off limited income, and there were real hardships—financial strain, unstable home conditions, and ongoing conflict. My childhood wasn’t easy, but creativity became a refuge for me.

Animation, in particular, gave me a sense of peace and possibility. It inspired a dream: to create stories that could bring light and comfort to others, especially kids growing up in difficult environments like I did.

Things became especially difficult during my junior year of high school. My grandfather was diagnosed with cancer, my grandmother suffered a stroke that led to memory loss and dementia, and tensions at home escalated. At 16, I stepped into the role of caretaker, trying to hold everything together. After my grandfather passed, I made the decision to move in with my dad—a shift that gave me a fresh start and likely changed the trajectory of my life.

I graduated high school and went on to study digital animation at Kennesaw State University. During that time, I met my wife, Koko, and came to know Jesus through campus ministry. That relationship transformed my perspective and gave deeper purpose to my creativity—I wanted my work to reflect something greater than myself.

Out of that came Excalibur, a story I began developing in college and eventually started publishing independently online. My goal is to create something meaningful—stories that inspire hope, reflect truth, and point people toward light.

Today, as a full-time worship minister at North River Church of Christ, I see both music and storytelling as extensions of the same calling: using the gifts I’ve been given to serve God and impact others.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. In a lot of ways, I didn’t really get to experience what it was like to just be a kid or a teenager—I had to grow up incredibly fast. My home life was often unstable, and I experienced emotional and verbal abuse along with constant conflict, which made those years especially heavy.

As my grandparents’ health declined, I stepped into responsibility at a young age, taking on roles I wasn’t fully prepared for. That season forced me to mature quickly and learn how to carry things emotionally and mentally on my own.

There were also practical challenges—limited financial resources and moments where pursuing creative passions didn’t feel realistic.

But looking back, I can see how God used those experiences to shape me. What felt like chaos at the time became something He used to build resilience, perspective, and purpose in me. Those struggles pushed me toward creativity as an outlet and ultimately helped me understand the kind of impact I want to have.

Now, my goal is to create things that bring light, stability, and hope to others—especially those who may be walking through difficult or uncertain seasons—using what I’ve been given for His glory and a greater purpose.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a creative at heart—I work as a worship minister, visual artist, and storyteller. Most of what I do lives at the intersection of faith, music, and visual storytelling. Whether it’s leading worship or creating art, my goal is always the same: to create meaningful experiences that point people toward something deeper.

I specialize in digital illustration and storytelling, particularly through my independent comic series Excalibur. It’s a modern fantasy story inspired by Arthurian legend, but at its core, it’s about identity, purpose, and the tension between light and darkness. I handle the creative direction, writing, and much of the visual development, which has allowed me to really shape the world and message behind it.

What I’m most proud of is building Excalibur from the ground up. Starting with just an idea and slowly bringing it to life—developing the story, creating the characters, and sharing it with an audience—has been incredibly meaningful. It represents not just my creative ability, but my perseverance and commitment to creating something that matters.

I think what sets me apart is the “why” behind what I create. My work is deeply personal, but also purpose-driven. I’m not just trying to make something that looks good—I want to create things that resonate, that bring hope, and that reflect something greater than myself. Everything I do is rooted in that desire to use my gifts intentionally and for a bigger purpose.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I really love the diversity of the city. I grew up in a small town in the deep South where exposure to different cultures and people groups was pretty limited. I don’t think I heard my first non-Southern accent until I moved here. Being in a place where so many backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences come together has been really refreshing.

I also enjoy exploring the city—finding new coffee shops, walking trails, and just experiencing different parts of it.
That said, the size and pace of the city can feel a bit overwhelming at times. I think, at my core, I still appreciate the space and quiet that comes with the rural South. That’s part of why my wife and I have chosen to live just outside the city, where we can have a balance of both.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://globalcomix.com/a/jib-studios
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jib_theartist/

Image Credits
North River Church of Christ