Exclusive Interview: Dr. Ed Young of Second Baptist Church

Houston’s Second Baptist Church’s 81-year-old minister Dr. Ed Young opens his Sunday morning sermons with “Lord, You speak and let me get out of the way.”  And, indeed, the Lord speaks through Dr. Young. And, indeed, Dr. Young steps aside.

The late Rev. Billy Graham had great influence on Dr. Young, and Dr. Young follows the Rev. Graham’s pattern by emphasizing evangelism, love, and kindness, three factors that touch and inspire people.

We were fortunate to get some of his time between his annual kids beach retreats that his church provides through its youth ministry. He speaks from the heart about the tremendous amount of evangelism, love, and kindness that the Second Baptist congregation showed Hurricane Harvey victims. His very first sermon at age 18, was cut short and delivered with limited success. Sixty-three years later, it is very clear that day Dr. Young made the right choice.

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The growth of your church has been phenomenal. What are the main factors you contribute to your success in reaching so many people?

Dr. Young: We are a church that is under the authority of the Word of God. In fact, in our worship center, we have a monogram of every book in the Bible that is above the heads of all of us as I speak, and those who gather to listen.  The Scripture is clear. Jesus says, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to Myself.” That is our calling of the church, to lift Him up, and He draws. Today our membership is 79, 274. So, people come, and when they come, we seek to disciple them, fulfilling the Great Commission given in Matthew 28:20: “Go ye therefore in all the world and make disciples in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Making disciples is evangelism. It’s lifting up Christ.

Then we teach the Christian lifestyle, which is the second part of the Great Commission, “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” For all those who come to faith, we seek to help them develop their own personal spiritual gifts in the family of faith. In this, we become a Koinonia, an Ecclesia. Koinonia, means fellowship, brothers and sisters in Christ. Ecclesia, means a body of believers, the Church, the literal body of Christ. Very simple. The Biblical pattern is there for us, so we just follow it. Our mission statement is the Great Commission, and our strategy, is Acts 1:8 which urges believers to be witnesses at home, in surrounding areas, and even to the uttermost parts of the earth. Our product—the Good News of what God has done for man in Jesus Christ – is what we are actually witnessing about. One of the best ways to show how Christ loves us is to demonstrate that love and kindness to others. Our profit is changed lives, individually, in homes and families, and as His Word goes out, we trust that lives can be changed around the world.

Your church has been notable in many of its outreach programs, but has anything compared to the scope and commitment your church made and is still producing for Harvey victims?

Dr. Young: Our church has a history of doing all that we can for every S.O.S. crisis in Houston for the past 40 years. We’ve had numerous hurricanes. We’ve had floods. We’ve had many disasters that have taken place, and as the Second Baptist family, we’ve always tried to be there with a cup of cold water, a ministering hand, talents and funds as we seek to reach those who have been displaced or hurt in any way at all. We’ve  always gone with all the king’s army, and all the king’s men, so to speak, to do everything we can to rehabilitate people, always doing it in the name of Jesus Christ. Harvey, as you mentioned, was a massive undertaking, but we’ve done this in many venues, and we continue to do it in many venues today. Our members get energized and show their strength and determination during crisis. We have so many wonderful people who truly have a heart to serve this city in tasks whether menial or massive. I am always both humbled and awestruck as I see members, who have also lost homes, or have been displaced, strapping on work gear to serve other Houstonians who are also in crisis.

As I mentioned, our strategy is to be a witness at home – here in Houston – in surrounding areas – and then to all the world. As an illustration, you can go to Damascus, Syria, and we have a series of churches with memberships in the thousands who we work with directly in every kind of ministry you can imagine. The Church is outside the walls of buildings – it is worldwide. This is just who we are and in every undertaking, we put everything we’ve got into it. We do it on every continent.

How did you prepare for this massive undertaking of feeding families and rebuilding homes?

Dr. Young:   We’re organized in our Bible study units with thousands of people. They have been through many kinds of situations through these years, so we’re ready to be a part of feeding people, offering medical help to people, rebuilding homes, ministering to families in a variety of ways. This is what we do, and we’re sort of never not prepared. We have thousands of people trained and experienced, which is the body of Christ in action.

Your mentor, Billy Graham, passed, and it is no secret of his influence on your and the world, which led you to proclaim that he was the most influential person of the 20th Century. What made him so extraordinary?

Dr. Young: William Franklin Graham knew who he was. He was called specifically to be an evangelist. He had many offers to establish colleges and universities, to enter the political world, and once received an invitation to be a nominee for Vice-President from one political party, but  he didn’t do all that. God called him to be an evangelist, that is, introducing people to Jesus Christ, proclaiming the message, and that’s exactly, precisely, and exclusively what he did. He knew what he was. He knew his giftedness. He knew God had given him the ability and called him to do exactly that, and he never looked back. That’s what made him so extraordinary. The extraordinariness of Billy Graham is not the scope, and the name, and the fame. It’s the fact he took what he had as a farm boy from Charlotte, North Carolina, and turned it over to God. So it doesn’t matter about position, or rank, or even confidence – that’s insignificant. We’re just to take what we have and turn it over to God. Let the Holy Spirit work, and He will imbue your gifts with light!

Of course, we don’t measure Kingdom success like you do worldly success. It’s entirely different. There are a lot of people who are successful in the Kingdom that we’ll never know, we’ll never hear of until Heaven. I have a feeling that the front page of The Heavenly Herald is not going to feature anybody we know on this earth; it’s going to be somebody who is way in the back somewhere, just serving where God has placed them for Jesus Christ.

Of your many introductions to people, who has been the most interesting, and why?

Dr. Young: All people are unique and interesting, and therefore, there have been moments in my life when some have become more interesting than others. A lot of times, somebody I will meet just casually, not even remembering their name, will be more interesting to me than someone who has a degree of recognition, or fame, or fortune. It’s amazing to me how God has given giftedness to people, and we as Christians are to treat them all the same in the sense that we are to challenge people to use what they have for Kingdom purposes. Notice how Jesus took an interest in everybody He met—the little lady who touched the hem of His garment and was healed—boy, that lady was so interesting, so important to Him! The big-time tax collector who climbed a tree and just wanted a glimpse of Jesus—that big-time tax collector was interesting to Jesus, an interesting person. We are to have our eyes open. I’m always amazed at who God puts in front of us, and has put in front of me, and how they have taught me, challenged me, interested me, and moved me through life, hopefully representing the Lord. I also find humility captivating! There is something so important about a person who does not demand recognition. Humility is a beautiful and interesting trait.

Can you tell the story of why you start your sermons with, “Lord, You speak and let me get out of the way’”?

Dr. Young: It is simply this: The first time I stood to speak in the First Baptist Church of Laurel, Mississippi, I was there to impress people—my mother, my dad, my brother, my girlfriend, teachers, etc. The group was gathered to hear this unlikely person speak, and believe me, I was very unlikely as an 18 year old young man, but I was out to make a great impression – prove the doubters of my ability wrong and the believers of my ability proud. So, I memorized something, and I had it down pat! I mean, it was strong and eloquent, and I got going, but about 5 minutes in, I went blank. Completely blank. Imagine how helpless and embarrassed I felt. I finally said, “Look, I came here to impress you, not to say a word for God, and I’m ashamed. Forgive me.” Then I walked out. As a result of that, my future wife’s grandmother followed me out as I was walking out of the church, and really probably too ashamed to ever go back. She said, “Edwin Young, come here.” So I walked back up those steps. I was already outside. She said, “If you will never say a word to people until God has instructed you, just like you said, He had not instructed you tonight—let me tell you, God will honor that.” From that day forward, I have said it publicly and privately, any time I’d stand up—“Lord, I have nothing to say.”

By the way, why does any human being have the arrogance to think they can speak for God anyway? I discovered then, and I’ve never forgotten that my words are meaningless, but when I submit to His Holy Spirit, He will give me what needs to be said. So, I say, “Lord, You speak. Let me get out of the way” meaning it from the bottom of my heart. His Word is powerful. It’s a two-edged sword. God does not honor eloquence, or even erudition; He honors simplicity that communicates His truth, and the Holy Spirit takes that truth and handles it in all the lives that are gathered.

What has been the biggest surprise of your life?

Dr. Young: Boy, get a long, long list! First of all, that I would have a wife like Jo Beth, to have children like God has blessed me with, thanks again to Jo Beth, and the fact that God would allow me to be used in His Kingdom, the way He’s allowed me to be used. A lot of surprises—a lot of surprises.

What are some of your plans for the future?

Dr. Young: They are big! To whom much is given, much is required… God has given the church family, the Second Family much, and so I am dreaming and praying about tomorrow and the tomorrows to come as we seek to genuinely reach people, families, singles, and individuals—the up and in, the down and out, the least, the last, the lost. My plans are to deepen those who are in the body of Christ here, and to lengthen the ministry of this church. You want to have a bigger tent? The first thing you do is deepen the stakes, and you lengthen the cords. We have to deepen our stakes in our walk with God in Christ. That’s the deeper life. Lengthening the cords enables you to have a larger tent. I think that’s where God has strategically positioned the Second Family, and I’m just thrilled that I may be a part of that in any way, shape, form, or fashion.

What advice can you give to parents and young children today?

Dr. Young: My advice to parents would be, spend time with your kids. Kids spell love T.I.M.E. There is no replacement for that. Parents, I say, stay in love with one another. That’s the best training you’ll give them! Also, make sure they know that the highest priority for you, your wife, or your husband, your family is to be in God’s house on the weekend in Bible study and worship. That’s more important than athletics, more important than trips, more important than special teams, or concerts. Families that do that—the couple stays in love. They’re faithful to the house of God on the weekends—I’m always amazed how their children turn out. They say, “You sure are lucky!” No—it’s with great Biblical intentionality. And to make sure your children know that they know – Jesus loves you!

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Timeline

1978
Dr. Young Becomes 5th Pastor of Second
In August 1978, Dr. Young, with his wife Jo Beth and their three sons, moved to Houston to accept the call as 5th pastor of Second Baptist. Dr. Young was described as “a great leader with a passion for soul-winning and a heart for the city of Houston.”

1981
At a ranch outside Houston, TX
Pastor Ed Young showed Texas hospitality to Rev. Graham and Cliff Barrows who were in Houston during an eight day crusade held at Rice Stadium.

1982
Southern Baptist Convention in New Orleans, La
Pastor Ed Young was president of the pastors’ conference that year.
Billy Graham preached a kick off rally the Sunday night before the convention in the Superdome.
He was joined for the event by Vice President George Bush and country music stars Johnny Cash and June Carter.

1986
Woodway Worship Center Grand Opening
After years of unprecedented growth, in June 1986, Second celebrated its first service in the newly-constructed Worship Center. Church membership grew rapidly to more than 24,000, with weekly Bible Study attendance reaching 6,000-plus.

1999
Second Expands West
In December 1998, Second broke ground on its West Campus. The tract of land, originally purchased in 1990, was literally at the heart of one of the fastest-growing communities in the greater Houston area. On Sunday, October 3, 1999, the West Campus celebrated its grand opening.

 

v2004
One Church in 3 Locations
On January 25, 2004, the former Forest Cove Baptist Church in Kingwood merged with Second to become the church’s third campus. The property, now known as Second’s North Campus, is located on a 35-acre tract of land on Highway 59 North.

 

2006
New Campus Locations
Second grew to “one church in five locations” in early 2006 with the launch of new campuses in Pearland in January and northwest Houston in February.

 

2010
South Campus Relocates
On Sunday, January 24, the South Campus in Pearland moved into an expanded facility strategically positioned to reach families in the thriving 288 corridor.

 

2015
1463 Campus Launches
Second became one church in six locations when the 1463 Campus opened Sunday, May 17. This location would accommodate the needs of the many individuals, families, children and students in the Fulshear and far-west Houston metropolitan area.

 

2016
Cypress Campus Opens New Building
After 10 years of meeting in temporary spaces, Second’s Cypress Campus opened its permanent home at 290 and the Grand Parkway, serving the ever-expanding Cypress and northwest Houston communities.

 

2017
Launch of Second Online
Second Online – Second’s seventh campus – launched in January 2017. This online worship experience draws people from across the United States and around the world.