Prominent PCA Megachurch Pastor Dies in Car Crash
Briarwood Presbyterian Church Senior Pastor Pastor Harry Reeder III died yesterday in a car crash. He was 75.
According to reports: “Authorities said the driver of a 2022 International dump truck was stopped to make a turn when Reeder’s vehicle – a 2022 Buick Envision – crashed into the rear of the truck. Reeder was pronounced dead on the scene, confirmed Shelby County Coroner Lina Evans. The dump truck driver, 38-year-old Brad Dawson, was not injured.
Along with his role as overseer of Briarwood, a 4000-member Presbyterian Church in America congregation in Birmingham, AL, he was the author of several books, including From Embers to a Flame – How God Can Revitalize Your Church and Leadership Dynamics.
He led a successful radio ministry, having a weekly program entitled “In Perspective,” a ten-minute daily radio/podcast program called “Today in Perspective,” as well as the five-minute devotional “Fresh Bread.” His church was in the news a few years ago after Alabama passed a law that would grant the church its own police force to protect their seminary, sanctuary, and sprawling school campuses.
He and his church hosted several “Embers to a Flame Conferences” over the years, focusing on church revitalization. According to his church bio, he contributed a chapter in the book John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine & Doxology on the life of John Calvin as a preacher for Ligonier Ministries to honor his 500th birthday.
Pray for his family and the congregation.
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I pray for courage and strength for his loved ones and celebrate the Pastor entering the glorious presence of The Almighty.
This reminds me of what happened to the great David Wilkerson a decade ago, who passed away under similar circumstances.. very sad and shocking
Maybe this is a reminder to get our spiritual, financial and legal affairs in order, because sometimes the Lord can reclaim our lives suddenly and we don’t have weeks or months to prepare. Just saw Reeder recently here in Charlotte at a conference at a sister PCA Church.
Didn’t even know about Tim Keller until a few minutes ago. What conflicting thoughts he generates concerning his selling out the gospel.