VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 6/29/10)—The West Virginia Baptist Convention is saddened by the passing of Senator Robert C. Byrd. Senator Byrd’s leadership provided the direction of federal funding to develop programs and people in the Mountain State.

Byrd’s early years in West Virginia included his involvement in the Crab Orchard Baptist Church where he lead a very significant Sunday school class. Senator Byrd and his wife, Erma, were baptized at the First Baptist Church of Beckley, West Virginia in 1945. They were baptized inside the church because the weather was too cold for an outdoor baptism.

Crab Orchard, West Virginia not only nurtured his spiritual life, but his political life as well. Senator Byrd’s simple faith in God and his love of family and service to our nation will be greatly missed. It is our prayer that his family will be comforted and our nation will celebrate his service to humankind.

American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.