Joel Yates, Executive Pastor.
Other acceptable titles include: The Big Cheese, Boss Man Joel, or Head Honcho. Joking aside, Pastor Joel’s role as Executive Pastor simply means he and Pastor Nathan work in tandem to ensure the vision and goals of leadership are being properly executed and achieved, as well as mobilizing and empowering the rest of the staff to be successful. In short: he gets stuff done.
He and his wife began attending Wooster Nazarene in 1998 when they attended the Easter ministry at the former campus. His life up until that point hadn’t really pointed to Christ, but he quickly committed his life to the Lord, and soon thereafter answered the call to full-time ministry, first becoming the Middle School Pastor, then the High School Pastor, and ultimately taking the role as Executive Pastor.
Aside from Executive-ing, he also finds himself hanging out with a bunch of 20-somethings on Wednesday evenings because he just loves young people, and loves seeing them see their full potential in Christ. He also gets pretty stoked when relationships are built within the church, and when people really start getting involved and connected with the body of Christ.
When he’s not taking moonlit walks on the beach with his beautiful bride, Lisa, you can probably find them rooting one of their kiddos on in a sport, or rooting for another team up north (that will remain nameless).
We are grateful for the ministry and servant’s heart of Pastor Joel as he continually gives and serves the Lord.
Thank you, Pastor Joel – we honor and love you!