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Bertram Jackson Youde
1906 - 1969
Bertram J. Youde, the first of
four children raised by Louis and Imogene Youde, was born in the home of his parents at 407 Chicago
St., Los Angeles, California on September 11, 1906. He was raised in his early
years in what was then considered East Los Angeles. LA City Schools report
cards for grades one through seven indicate that the family resided in the
Brooklyn Heights area. These same report cards provide an early glimpse of the
traits that would eventually be used of God in service to Him. ‘Good’ to
‘excellent’ scores in music and science were common.
Bertram received his secondary
education from Polytechnic High School in LA graduating on June 24, 1926. As a
young man he felt the call of God to Christian service. After high school he
enrolled at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles graduating on June 12, 1928.
While at Bible Institute Bertram served as Editor of the 1928 edition of the BIOLAN and participated in the Street
Evangelism Team. Bertram then enrolled at the Southern Baptist Theological
Seminary where he was awarded a Bachelor of Theology degree on May 5, 1931. He
immediately returned to Los Angeles and was ordained to the Gospel Ministry May
27, 1931.
Following his ordination he
became the assistant pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church, 2nd and St. Louis,
Los Angeles, and spent time serving on the Navajo Indian Res. in N. Arizona as
a short-term missionary. It was during this period that he met and married
(December 13, 1934) Edith Williams of that church. Edith was the daughter of “a
prominent family in their church”.
It was also during this time that Bertram’s sister, Lois, was courted by
Edith’s brother, Francis. They were married on March 2, 1934.
The day following their
marriage Bertram and Edith left LA to accept the call at the Yermo Union
Church. For 19 years he pastored several churches concurrently on the Mojave
desert - Dagget Bible Church, Kelso
Community Church, and Hinkley Bible Church. During their time at Yermo the
ministry grew; a parsonage expansion, baptistery, and fellowship hall were
added. Bertram also ministered to railroad section gangs along the Union
Pacific Railroad between Yermo and Cima, California. For many years the Union
Pacific issued passes to allow Bertram to hold services during the week at
locations far from any highway.
During the war years Pastor
Youde found time to become a proficient electrician as well as a woodworking
craftsman - talents he used in numerous church building projects.
Bertram and Edith accepted the
call to the Imperial Community Church in Oct., 1953. It was difficult to leave
the circle of friends in Yermo but God raised up new friendships in Imperial.
It was common to find fresh milk on the door step every weekday and a cake from
a parishioner on the table every Sunday.
He served on the faculty of the
Fundamental Bible Institute of Los Angeles, on the Board of Directors of the
Pine Valley Bible Conference Association, and as pastor-counselor of the California
Christian Endeavor. He was affiliated with the Independent Fundamental Churches
of America as a pastor member. As a gifted musician he often played the piano
or trombone in services. He delivered his last sermon at the Hinkley Bible
Church edifice dedication on Nov. 17, 1968. Hospitalized the following day, he
remained ill periodically until his death on February 7, 1969.
Bertram and Edith raised four
children during their marriage. Bertram was truly a family man and sought to
cultivate godly values in his children. Daily devotions (usually in the living
room) were the norm. Discipline was administered without a hint of anger.
Sunday afternoons were spent inside as a day of rest. There was no television
until around 1960 when a gentleman in the church gave one to the ‘parsonage’ –
and then viewing time and criteria were strictly governed. There were no card
games until the early 60’s and movie theaters were off limits. While this might
sound a bit restrictive it did teach us what is of value in life.
Family vacations were a high
point in the year. Many miles were put on pulling his homemade teardrop trailer
around the western USA and Canada. We often travelled with grandparents, aunts,
uncles, and cousins. Nights were spent singing and telling stories around a
campfire, days were filled with hiking, swimming and making rafts out of
driftwood. Travel days were spent playing ‘Horse’ and having meals at Dairy
Queens.
Throughout Bertram’s ministry
he sought to honor Christ as living proof of what He can do in any life. He
faithfully taught the Word of God. During the days of illness leading to his
death he maintained godly character and never complained regarding his sickness
and pain. It was common to visit him at the hospital or home and not leave
until a word of prayer had been offered.
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