He vows to continue fighting.
H. Edwin Young, a prominent Southern Baptist pastor, recently announced his resignation from Second Baptist Church in Houston after serving for 46 years. During his final sermon at the church’s Woodway Campus, he disclosed that his son, Ben Young, would take over as the new senior pastor, according to The Houston Chronicle. Young emphasized that this transition is not a step down but rather a shift to better utilize his and his wife’s spiritual gifts.
Under Young’s leadership, Second Baptist Church grew significantly, becoming one of the largest churches in the Houston area with six campuses and approximately 18,000 members. His departure comes just ahead of the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual conference in Indianapolis. Born in 1936 in Mississippi, Young studied at Mississippi College and Southeastern Seminary before assuming his role at Second Baptist.
Despite stepping down as senior pastor, Young expressed his commitment to continue serving the church’s mission of evangelism and encouragement alongside his wife, Lisa. In a letter to the congregation, he conveyed his gratitude for the privilege of serving and pledged to remain actively involved in the spiritual battle.
Ben Young, the incoming senior pastor, previously served as an associate pastor at Second Baptist and has experience outside of the church, including chaplaincy for the Houston Astros and hosting a radio talk show. His appointment brings a new chapter to Second Baptist’s leadership while maintaining continuity within the Young family.
Young’s willingness to engage in discussions on contemporary issues, such as immigration and gender identity, has drawn attention. His recent remarks about President Joe Biden’s Easter proclamation sparked debate, highlighting his ongoing commitment to addressing societal and political matters from a Christian perspective.