VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 9/26/07) - We regret to announce the death yesterday of the Rev. Barry T. Young, an esteemed leader in the American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) community. He was 49. Rev. Young was pastor of Mosby Memorial Baptist Church in Richmond, Va., and just celebrated his 15th anniversary there in July. He also served as coordinator of church relations & adjunct instructor of Practical Theology at Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University, Richmond, Va.
Rev. Young held a B.S. and a M.A. in Divinity from Virginia Union University and studied at Wesley Theological Seminary as well.
He was active in ABCUSA life at area, regional and national levels, including memberships on the General Board, the Board of National Ministries, and the Mission, Vision, Planning Task Force. Dr. Young also chaired the local arrangements committee for the 2003 Biennial in Richmond.
"Barry will be missed by his family, church, students and American Baptist colleagues," said ABCUSA General Secretary Rev. Dr. Roy Medley. "He was a model churchman whose life exemplified service. In his last column for his church's web site, Barry encouraged his flock to 'live everyday to fulfill the cause of Jesus Christ in the world.' All of us who knew him recognize that's precisely how he lived his life. There could be no more fitting epitaph for our beloved brother in Christ, who now is experiencing the joy of eternal life with Our Lord," Dr. Medley said.
"Rev. Young was an outstanding Christian leader," said National Ministries Executive Director Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III. "His creativity, compassion and courage were hallmarks of his character. I thank God for the privilege of serving and studying with him. Our denominational family is healthier because of the gifts he shared with us."
Rev. Young is survived by his wife, the Rev. Dr. Mary Young, and daughter, Jessica.
The viewing will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28, at Mosby Memorial Baptist Church, 2901 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond. The funeral will be held 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 29, at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 1127 North 28th St., Richmond. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University; mark the gift for the Barry T. Young Scholarship. Condolences may be sent to Rev. Dr. Mary Young, 2402 Edenbrook Dr., Richmond, Va., 23228.
Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches, USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/