Ronald Lee Yoder was born in Americus, Georgia, in 1971, and married Rhonda in 1990. They have four children, Roxanne (married to Matthew Zook), Richie, Randall, and Ranessa.

In 1994, He became the owner of a 10-bay auto mechanics garage in Barnwell, South Carolina for seven years before selling the business and moving into full-time ministry with Gospel Express Ministries in North Carolina. He was licensed as a minister in 2004, and led a traveling gospel band and served as the evangelist, visiting prisons in twenty-nine states.

In 2009, he moved his family to Cañon City to be a campus pastor for New Horizons Ministries. He is the Prison Ministry Director and Spiritual Life Supervisor, and his current responsibilities include counseling, mentoring, leading Bible Studies, and facilitating worship times.

In 2014, He moved his family to New Holland PA to have a extended sabbatical helping his sons find there gifts in occupation and being a first time grandfather!!

In 2014, He was employed by Keystone Custom Decks on their Sales team

In 2015, He was commissioned by Bethesda Christian Fellowship as youth pastor

In 2017 He was ordained by Bethesda Christian Fellowship as associate pastor

How are you currently serving at BCF?

I spend about one day a week as an administrative pastor. Between working on miscellaneous computer/technical needs, managing rental requests,  taking care of the church finances, & many other things, it seems my to do list never quite ends.

About:

Where were you born? Ephrata, PA

What has shaped your worldview? Even though I grew up in a conservative Weaverland Conference Mennonite church, my parents were constantly seeking for more of God and that brought me exposure to many different groups. I experienced the conviction and infilling of the Holy Spirit when responding to one of the many sermons I heard preached in revival & tent meetings. Hearing many testimonies of lives set free by the power that is in the Name of Jesus gave me a hunger for more of who God is! As an older teenager, my brother and I would often attend meetings where there were times of prophetic ministry and the gifts of the Spirit were in operation. Out of all this and more, I learned/experience more of how awesome God is and that he desires to work through us (in spite of our weaknesses) to bring glory to His Name.

When were you married? May 24^th, 2003

What brought you to BCF? Interestingly enough, my family didn’t know anyone at this congregation before we visited the first time. I started attending a weekly early morning prayer meeting and sensed the sincerity and hunger for God in the men. After going to those prayer meetings for many months our family started attending regularly.

What are your passions? My passion is to see God gloried through His bride, His church, as they are lovers of Him and of His truth so that this world has no part in them, which will allow God to receive all the glory due to his Name. We serve an awesome God!

Fun Facts:

How many children do you have and what are their names? My wife, Rose and I have three children, Weston, Adara, & Jaden.

Hobbies: For as long as I remember I loved to read! I remember reading lots mystery/adventure books. Today I still love to read non-fiction Christian books of all types, but I don’t find the time to read as much as I used to. I also take time to read the news to see what is happening on the national and global level. It is often exciting and sobering to see how current events are fulfilling Bible prophecy!

Pets: I grew up with having dogs –first Cocker Spaniels, and later Golden Retrievers, but right now I don’t have any pets.

Interesting Facts: I grew up on a farm raising pigs and steers. I enjoy learning about alternative energy solutions. Currently I am managing a chicken layer house for my uncle.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would love to go to Israel again, to see firsthand the places that I have read about in the Bible!

Favorite Bible verse: John 17:23 is one of my favorite verses.

Favorite Book(s): The Bible, The Heavenly Man, Fresh Wind Fresh Fire

How/Where have you ministered in the past?

Youth Pastor & Worship Leader at Palm Grove church in Sarasota, FL (3 yrs.)

Prison Ministry music team at Gospel Echoes in Goshen, IN (1 yr.)

Drummer for Worship Team at Believers Fellowship in Goshen, IN (1 yr.)

Worship Leader, drummer, bass player at Sunrise Chapel in Harlan, IN (6yrs.)

Youth Pastor at Sunrise Chapel in Harlan, IN (6 yrs.)

Associate Pastor at Sunrise Chapel in Harlan, IN (5 yrs.)

Vice- President of Leaders Alive International (5 yrs.)

Currently serving as Sr. Pastor at Bethesda Christian Fellowship.

About:

Where were you born? Tuscola, IL

What has shaped your worldview? I would say the majority of my worldview early on would have been shaped by my conservative Anabaptist life’s filter. I have since discovered some things I still hold in great value, which I have held on to and others have no spiritual significance at all, so I have released them. I believe there is great importance in the values that were instilled as a young person in my growing-up years but I have also discovered those things are not what save you. You must have a personal encounter with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to really develop a proper world view and also a Kingdom mindset.

When were you married? October 24, 1992

What brought you to BCF? God!!! I guess that is the short answer. The longer answer would be that the call of God came to move to PA with my family to assist Harvest View Leadership Team in establishing Leadership and structure in the church.

What are your passions? I love to study God’s Word and uncover the mysteries of the Scriptures! A good friend of mine would say, “The mysteries of Scripture are hidden for you, not from you”!!! I also have a passion for deliverance ministry, to see the captives set free!!!

Fun Facts:

What are the names of your children? Cameron Seth & Rachel Brooke

Hobbies: I enjoy a good round of golf!

Pets: I do not need pets in my life for fulfillment. I do however have a lot of history with horses because I used to be a Farrier (Horseshoer) for 17 yrs.

Interesting Facts: My Father was a Farrier for 49 yrs. I started my own business when I was 18 yrs old as a Farrier. The most expensive horse I ever worked on was a horse named Farmaway who won the Pimlico Special by setting a new track record and won over 2 million dollars as a 4 yr old. His owner, George Bunn, (inventor of the Bunn-o-matic coffee makers) was offered 10 million for him after he won the Pimlico Special and he turned him down!!!

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would love to go back to Israel again! Hawaii would be my second choice. I’m still believing God may call us to start a ministry in Maui!!

Favorite Bible verse: Isa 43:18 “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.

Favorite Book(s): A Tale of Three Kings, The Prisoner in the Third cell, Every Man’s Battle, Ablaze with His Glory…

Dream or Goal: To be a professional Golfer!!! I know it’s a lofty ambition, but I can still dream!! My realistic goal is to be the best Husband, Father, & Leader I can possibly be, by God’s Grace!!