Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church is one of fastest growing in U.S.

In 2009 alone, hundreds of souls were baptized in the church. On Saturdays, the church parking lots begin filling up early for services. As the sanctuary fills, ushers began putting out folding chairs to handle the overflow. Young professionals, families and youth now fill the pews.

When he first came to the church four years ago, the median age was 60. Today, he said, it's between 38 and 40.

"We're seeker sensitive," said Byrd, one of the speakers at the 2010 General Conference Session of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which is meeting in Atlanta through July 3. "I want people to come here and worship. I enjoy catering to people who are not only our members, but to people who are seeking the Lord."

The Rev. Vanard Mendinghall, president of the denomination's South Atlantic Conference, remembers when he first recommended Byrd, a married father of two,  for the position. Some people, he said, thought that at 34, he was too young to lead the church. Mendinghall, however, thought otherwise.

"God is blessing him in an extraordinary way," Mendinghall said. "I'm interested in the intangibles. He is naturally charismatic. He naturally loves people and that comes across, very strongly. Some say he's detailed, which he is. Some say he's organized and he is. I really believe God is doing something special through Pastor Byrd."

Ask Jeanette Lamb, who was 2-years-old when her parents joined Berean.

"He's always doing something and he brings that energy to everything he does," said Lamb, who is now in her 50s. "He preaches the truth and he draws you to him."

Byrd, who's been a guest minister on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, said he was "intentional" about his outreach and evangelism into the surrounding community.

Perhaps it's his background. He earned dual degrees, in theology and business management from Oakwood University and a MBA from Tennessee State University. He later attended seminary at Andrews in Michigan.

The church operates a food program, which feeds as many as 500 people every Wednesday. There's a clothing closet and a day care center. Berean has a support group for people with cancer and multiple sclerosis. It holds health fairs and assists in clean-up efforts. Soon the church hopes to open a senior citizen residential project. The church has been renovated and has launched a television ministry.

Atlanta attorney Antavius Weems, former president of the Collier Heights neighborhood association, said the church has been "an invaluable asset to the community." When the association wanted to honor African-American legends in the community, Byrd called a church member, who was a photographer, to help with the project. He enlisted the help of an architect, who was also a Berean member, to help the association when it was working on paperwork to get the area designated a local historic site.

Weems said he remembers when Byrd was looking for a place to live.

"I remember him saying, ‘I don't really care where I live, I just want to live amongst the people'," he said.

Get more news, follow me on Twitter here.