HOUSTON – Dr. Ed Young, senior pastor of Houston’s Second Baptist Church, announced his retirement Sunday morning.
Young gave his last sermon as senior pastor of the church Sunday.
While Sunday marks the end of an era, church members say Dr. Young’s message will last a lifetime.
Dr. Young started his last sermon as Sr. Pastor, leading the Second Baptist Church congregation with a classic children’s song.
“If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands,” Young sang in the sermon.
Dr. Young says he will turn 88 this year. While he is stepping out of his role, he says he is not leaving the church.
“Not stepping down, stepping up to use our special gifts,” he said in the sermon.
His impact has left a mark on church members.
“I’ve been coming to this church for almost 20 years. I go on and off but I come back because of him,” said Mario Puac.
“I went to school here for 14 years and he instilled a lot of great values in our school and students and I think he’s doing a great job leading the next generation,” said Cole Claypool.
Dr. Young has been president of the Southern Baptist Convention twice. He’s played a part of instrumental disaster recovery efforts throughout Houston.
“I remember during Hurricane Harvey, the church got really involved helping the communities that were affected and had also done a lot of food runs through the school. I think they’re doing a good job at leaving the impact that will go on beyond his lifetime,” Claypool said.
When asked what he would say to him, Puac said he would thank Dr. Young.
“Thank you for being apart of the community,” Puac said.
Young’s son, Ben Young, will take over as senior pastor.