On Thursday, May 18, 2023, Rev. Dr. Harry L. Reeder III of Briarwood Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Birmingham, Alabama passed into glory. Dr. Reeder was a proven leader and gracious developer of other leaders in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), influencing the lives of thousands in and beyond our denomination. He was a personal friend to Dr. Joseph A. Pipa, Jr. over many years of ministry together in the PCA.
I had the privilege of working with Dr. Reeder in the context of the Gospel Reformation Network and more recently participated in a Lampstand Conference for church-planters at which Dr. Reeder taught and led. Indeed, a man of immeasurable worth and kindness has passed into glory this afternoon. Dr. Harry L. Reeder III, Senior Minister of Briarwood Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Birmingham, Alabama and father in the Faith to so many of us younger ministers in the PCA (and far beyond the PCA) is now in the presence of the Lord he served so faithfully and with such zeal. As Scripture has described God’s servants, Dr. Reeder was and is a choice servant, full of God-given grace and valor.
Over the years and in all my interactions with Dr. Reeder, he was always so kind to me. He embodied the values of big-hearted Reformed and evangelical catholicity in his teaching, preaching, ministry, and personal investment in other ministers. While I know that he is relieved of the burdens of this world as he has entered into his eternal rest and triumphant delight, I am deeply grieved at our loss here in the church on earth. I wept as I wrote an email to my session, and I have a deep ache in my chest as I write this small remembrance.
Please pray for the Reeder and Briarwood families.
In Christ,
Pastor Zachary Groff
