South Carolina H 4977: Dr. Charles E. Young

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 4977 Text of Previous Version (Jan. 20, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 4977

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A house RESOLUTION

TO THANK DR. CHARLES E. YOUNG FOR A LIFETIME OF 
SERVICE AS AN EDUCATOR, ADMINISTRATOR, PASTOR, AND CHRISTIAN LEADER AND TO 
CONGRATULATE HIM ON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER NEARLY FIFTY YEARS OF MINISTRY UNTO 
THE LORD.

Whereas, a Georgetown 
County native, Dr. Charles E. Young received his early education in that 
county's public school system. After serving in the United States Army, he 
continued his education at Virginia Union University in Virginia, where he 
earned a bachelor's degree in biology. However, following his conversion and 
acceptance of the call to preach, he set aside his pursuit of medical science 
and enrolled at Columbia International University, where he earned a master's 
degree in divinity. Dr. Young further strengthened his ministry skills by 
completing studies in urban church planting at Westminster Theological Seminary 
in Pennsylvania, a doctorate in systematic theology from Trinity Theological 
Seminary in Indiana, and a certificate in educational management and 
presidential leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education; and

Whereas, Dr. Young 
cultivated a distinguished career in theological education, pastoral ministry, 
and higher education administration. During his forty-nine years of Christian 
ministry, he served as a seminary professor, pastor, college president, and presiding 
elder. Currently, as the presiding elder of the Midlands District in the 
Central South Carolina Annual Conference of the Seventh Episcopal District, he 
functions as a middle manager for the presiding bishop of the Seventh Episcopal 
District. His position as presiding elder is both administrative and advisory. 
He provides in-service training for pastors, itinerant preachers, local 
preachers, and lay workers; and

Whereas, further, while 
Dr. Young served as president of Allen University, that institution saw growth 
in academic offerings and enrollment and experienced increased revenues and 
strengthening of academic programs. The university also saw an increase in faculty 
with terminal degrees, enjoyed facility renovation and new construction, and 
acquired more property for future growth; and

Whereas, in 1994, 
sensing a new call to pastoral leadership, Dr. Young transitioned into 
full-time congregational ministry. He served as full-time pastor of three 
congregations within the Seventh Episcopal District of the African Methodist 
Episcopal (AME) Church: Ebenezer AME (Charleston), Campbell AME (Bluffton), and 
Pine Grove AME (Columbia). His pastoral work emphasized church growth, 
discipleship formation, and intergenerational ministry. He led his 
congregations through major capital improvement projects and initiated relevant 
community development programs, including housing and economic revitalization. 
As chair of the Charleston Empowerment Community, he was instrumental in 
expanding access to affordable housing for low-income families; and

Whereas, Dr. Young also 
enjoyed numerous years of service in theological education and higher education 
administration. For fifteen years, he served on the faculty of Columbia 
International University, where he taught Christian theology, homiletics, and evangelism, 
with a focus on urban missions. His academic influence extended globally 
through his leadership of summer study tours across Europe, Asia, and South 
America. He also taught courses in theology, preaching, and church ministry at 
Dickerson-Green Theological Seminary; and

Whereas, Dr. Young has 
demonstrated a strong commitment to preparing individuals for pastoral ministry 
throughout his pastoral career and tenure as presiding elder, including his 
extensive service as chair of the board of examiners for three annual conferences. 
He currently serves as chair of the Seventh Episcopal Board of Examiners and 
chair of the Central South Carolina Annual Conference Board of Examiners; and

Whereas, Dr. Young 
finds strength for his labors in the loving support of his family: his dear 
wife of more than forty years, Sandra Archer, Ph.D.; their children, Charlotte 
(Sola) and Christopher (Kristen); and their three grandchildren. Now, 
therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the 
South Carolina House of Representatives, 
by this resolution, thank Dr. Charles E. Young for a lifetime of service as an 
educator, administrator, pastor, and Christian leader and congratulate him on 
his retirement after nearly fifty years of ministry unto the Lord.

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Charles E. Young.

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