Dr. Ed Young, Senior Pastor of Second Baptist Church of Houston, Announces His Retirement

HOUSTON – Dr. Ed Young, senior pastor of Second Baptist Church of Houston, announced his retirement Sunday morning.

Young gave his final sermon as the church’s senior pastor on Sunday.

Although Sunday marks the end of an era, Church members say Dr. Young’s message will last a lifetime.

Dr. Young began his final sermon as a father pastor, leading the congregation at Second Baptist Church with a classic children’s song.

“If you’re happy and you know it, clap,” Young sang in the sermon.

Dr. Young says he will be 88 this year. Even if he leaves his role, he says he will not leave the Church.

“Not resign, but intensify our efforts to use our special gifts,” he said in the sermon.

His impact left a mark on the members of the Church.

“I have been coming to this church for almost 20 years. I go there and I will come back but I come back thanks to him,” declared Mario Puac.

“I went to school here for 14 years and he instilled a lot of great values ​​in our school and our students and I think he does a great job leading the next generation,” Cole Claypool said.

Dr. Young served twice as president of the Southern Baptist Convention. He was instrumental in disaster recovery efforts in Houston.

“I remember during Hurricane Harvey, the church really stepped up to help the affected communities and also did a lot of school food runs. I think they do a good job of leaving an impact that will continue beyond his lifetime,” Claypool said.

When asked what he would say to him, Puac said he would thank Dr. Young.

“Thank you for being part of the community,” Puac said.

Young’s son, Ben Young, will take over as senior pastor.