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Exclusive: Rev. Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood Addresses His Critics on BCN Tele-Seminar

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Keba Cairo

On Wednesday June 27th Rev. Dr Johnny Ray Youngblood, Senior Pastor of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, addressed his critics on the Black Church News™ Tele-Seminar.

Rev. Dr. Youngblood has been known to use, what some call, “inappropriate” words in his sermons, which has given him the reputation of being a “Cursing Preacher.” ” One of the [things] people ignorantly talk about is my language. They talk as if I spend hours just using street language, but I don’t do that [in the way they portray].” he said.

In June 2009, Dr. Youngblood retired as Senior Pastor of the St. Paul Community Baptist Church (SPCBC), located in the East New York section of Brooklyn, NY after 35 years of service. In 2001, he was called to serve in the same capacity at the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, where he continues to serve as Executive Pastor of this congregation. “One of the things, even Jesus did, was he spoke the language of the people. And in speaking the language of the people, the bible says that the common people heard him gladly” said Rev. Youngblood.

Rev. Youngblood’s ministry for which he is widely respected and recognized is his intentional ministry to Black men which challenges and empowers them to be strong leaders of our communities, Bible based vanguards who are politically aware, involved in social action as well as be the cord that bonds family.

“I’ve been going through this for years. I have not only had people label me the cursing preacher, but I’ve had preachers who have black balled me from their pulpits saying: they are not going to have me speaking like that, but I wouldn’t!”

“This is the first time I have ever spoken out about this. I want people to know that I feel unfairly treated and unjustly spoken of, especially when you don’t know me and never heard me in any capacity. But my work will stand and for that I am grateful” said Rev. Youngblood.

He concluded by saying “Believe it or not, I am considered the “Blessing Preacher” and allot of people have been blessed because of my life.”

Black Church News™ conducts a Tele-Seminar the last Wednesday of every month, with Rev. Dr. C Vernon Mason as the moderator. The telephone seminar is to encourage an intellectual conversation between Christians from the comfort of their homes. To listen to the Tele-Seminar CLICK HERE and for more information on Black Church News™ Tele-Seminar fo to www.BlackChurchNews.com. If you would like to be considered as a guest speaker, send us an email to info@blackchurchnews.com.

Written by Keba Cairo, Black Church News™ Contributor

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