Byron Day Receives Inaugural AAF Living Legend Award

By Sharon Mager

LAUREL, Md. — Byron Day, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church (EBC), Laurel, was the recipient of the African American Fellowship of the BCM/D (AAF) inaugural Living Legend Award, presented at the Martin Luther King (MLK) Celebration at EBC on January 19.

The new award was created to honor individuals for their selfless service and faithful obedience to God in ministry.

When discussing candidates for the new award, AAF Vice President Victor Kirk said, “Byron’s name came to mind right away.” Jeremy Dickson, BCM/D director of church strengthening, who coordinated the MLK Celebration, wholeheartedly agreed with the choice, and the AAF leadership team unanimously selected Day for the honor.

Kirk said Day has served at the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCM/D) in various capacities — as BCM/D president, General Mission Board president, and as a member of the Administrative Committee. At the associational level, he has been an active member of the Prince George’s Baptist Association. He has also served as president of the AAF, both locally and nationally, with the NAAF Southern Baptist Convention.

“He’s just done so much, and on top of all that, he’s pastored for close to 35 years, and he’s done international missions,” Kirk, who also serves as BCM/D church partnership consultant and pastor of Sharon Bible Fellowship, Lanham, said.

At the presentation, delivered during the Unity Day MLK Celebration, Kirk said, “Pastor Byron Day’s life is a testament to faithfulness, humility, and unwavering obedience to God’s call. His legacy is not only measured by titles held or years served, but by lives changed, leaders developed, and communities strengthened through his ministry.

“On this Unity Day, a time of remembrance of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we stand in his shadow to recognize and celebrate a life of faithfulness, leadership, and extraordinary service. This moment is reserved for honoring someone whose influence has extended far beyond the walls of a single church—someone whose life’s work has shaped communities, strengthened denominations, and carried the Gospel across nations.”

Turning to Day, Kirk said with a smile, “Today, we honor a pastor, a leader, a missionary, and a servant of God—a true Living Legend.”

Day, who serves on the AAF leadership team as treasurer, chuckled as he recalled the moment he realized he was receiving the award. “I really got caught off guard! I saw on the bottom of the program ‘special presentation,’ and I thought, ‘We didn’t say anything about this—what is this all about?’ Then, when Victor began to make the presentation, it suddenly dawned on me!”

During the presentation, Kirk referenced a familiar phrase often used in church circles: “Give me my flowers while I can smell them.” The phrase reflects the importance of recognizing and honoring people while they are still alive to experience and be encouraged by that appreciation.

Day has been involved with the AAF since its formation in the mid-1990s. He noted the strengthened bonds, the fellowship, and the accomplishments, including the George Liele Leadership Institute, that God has allowed the AAF to develop over time.

Reflecting on his involvement with the AAF through the years, Day said, “I’ve enjoyed working with our team. I’ve actually been there from the beginning, going back to Charles Barnes (a former BCM/D executive director), Robert Anderson (retired pastor of Colonial Baptist Church, Randallstown), Stephen Hardnett, associate pastor at Bridgeway Community Church, Columbia, James Dixon Jr., pastor of El Bethel Church, Fort Washington, and others. It’s been a long journey.”

Day’s wife, Pamela, attended the MLK Celebration along with others from Emmanuel Baptist Church, and they, too, were pleasantly surprised by the presentation.

“The guys must have had a secret meeting I wasn’t invited to,” Day said with a laugh.

“We were certainly grateful and never expected anything like it. It was quite an unexpected tribute, and I really appreciate it. All glory belongs to the Lord.”

For more information about the AAF of the BCM/D, visit their website.

Victor Kirk prays during the presentation of the Living Legend Award to Byron Day (center) by Jeremy Dickson (left) (Photo courtesy of the Dickson family.)

Sharon Mager serves as content and stories editor.