Ruth W. Patterson, M.D.
Member, NHBC and Delegate of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
Can anything good come out of Nazareth? That was the question one of the disciples asked as he was being told Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus, a Man with a common touch and a gentle spirit, the Son of a carpenter – how could He be King of the Jews?
A very similar question was asked when Dr. Jerry Young ascended to become President of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. – could any good thing come out of Mississippi? Could he, the son of a sharecropper, raised in the Mississippi Delta, attended a HBCU, be the designated leader of the largest group of Black Baptists in the United States.
In September 2014, Dr. Jerry Young became the 18th president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. He did not let this leadership role in any way change the person he was. He continued to approach every decision with a time of prayer, seeking discernment and direction from the Holy Spirit as decisions were made that would impact followers across the country.
He sought input from a diverse group of men and women comprising his boards and auxiliaries whom he empowered to co-lead the Convention. He wanted the Convention to be more than biannual meetings, but rather gatherings and sessions sheltering and guiding pastors and members as they developed and led churches across the country. His vision was based on his desire for a denominational emphasis focusing on economic development, Christian Education, and home and foreign missions allowing our churches to flourish.
Dr. Young sought to lead with a humble spirit grounded in biblical teachings, quick to listen, and slow to anger. He remained respectful for all crossing his paths, carefully considering the opinions of all, but standing firm when needed with the boldness it takes to make decisions as a leader.
His presidency was not without difficulties. There were inward challenges and public dissent, but he met them with grace and diplomacy. Dr. Young’s intent was to lead with integrity while ensuring accountability as he “Envisioned the future exceptionally.” His mantra both locally and nationally was that “Teamwork makes the dream work.”
During challenging times, Dr. Young was Captain of the ship as the country sailed through a major pandemic, offering leadership and support as pastors grieved the loss of their members and members grieved the loss of their pastors. He commissioned seminars on health and disseminated information to parishioners on how to protect themselves and promoted information from healthcare leaders on properly vaccinating to prevent further spread of this plague. During times of natural catastrophes, he mobilized teams to address the immediate needs of the people and aligned with national organizations to secure long-term means of support for communities.
As Dr. Young managed the urgent needs coming before the organization within the United States, he remained focused on long term goals of assisting those with needs around the world. The foreign mission efforts of National Baptists sought to make and implement plans that would not just provide a Band-Aid approach of assistance, but to empower communities in impoverished nations in ways that would make the assistance more sustainable. The goal was “to teach them how to fish” for a long-term impact rather than “to give them a fish” which benefits only for a day.
Through Dr. Young’s presence and impact on the national scene, he brought attention to New Hope Baptist Church in Jackson and raised the State of Mississippi to a higher level of respect. Even those seeking and ultimately reaching the presidency of the United States sought an audience with our membership and our community.
As much as we applaud the tenure of Dr. Jerry Young, we also find his lovely wife, Sis Helen Young, to be his perfect complement and a strong leader herself. Her warm and engaging demeanor as she interacted within the Women’s Auxiliary and the Convention at large, coupled with her wealth of knowledge and experience, garnered respect and affection within the organization. We were blessed to have such a capable and powerful couple lead the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. for the past ten years.