Warsaw Pastor Retires after 46 Years
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Becca Dupont-
Now, after 46 years, he is retiring from his work with ministry.
Before he started college at Anderson University, Yoder knew he wanted to be involved in serving the needs of people. He ended up receiving a degree in elementary education because he thought he could go anywhere in the world and support himself with that knowledge.
After college, Yoder made a trip to Appalachia in Lee County, Ky., to teach at a camp for underprivileged children. It was there where Yoder “found his call” to come back to ministry and become a pastor. While he always had been a part of church, he had never fully considered making it his job until then.
“I heard God direct me to go back to seminary,” said Yoder.
His career in ministry started after he went back to Anderson University for graduate school. He was called to a small community church outside of Anderson to start his work.
“It was during that time that I confirmed that this was the direction that my life needed to go,” said Yoder.
Since working in Anderson for two years, Yoder has been with three other churches, including one in Camrose Alberta, Canada, for five years; one in Los Angeles for 15 years; and finally in 1991 he moved back to Warsaw to become the pastor at Warsaw Church of God, where he has been for the past 21 years.
“I guess I’m an unusual person,” said Yoder about his variety of church locations.
Yoder finds that some parts of his job have been harder than others. He thinks that dealing with people can be one of the hardest things he has to do because they never seem to do what he wants them to do. On the other hand, he finds the personal affirmation from God the easiest part of his job.
Hands down, Yoder found teaching has been his favorite part of his work in ministry, especially teaching to children.
“I’m naturally a teacher,” said Yoder. “I started out with an elementary education degree, so I’ve always been a teacher. I’ve always enjoyed teaching and I’ve taught children and youth and adults and everything along the way.”
Outside of his job, Yoder has been a part of many organizations around the community. He has participated in the Morning Breakfast Optimist group and works with the Kosciusko Community Foundation Board of Directors.
After his last church service Sunday, Yoder plans on taking the summer off, and will come back to the Warsaw Church of God part time for a year or two to help new pastor Tim Kumfer have a smooth transition into his new role. He also plans on hunting and fishing and visiting the beach.
Yoder told his congregation a few reasons why he decided to retire. He mentioned that he will be 69 this summer and it is “probably his time to go” and that the stress of leadership is always growing. Most importantly, he wants the church to be able to grow in a different way.
“I believe the church will benefit from some new leadership,” said Yoder. “To go some new directions that I haven’t gone, and probably wouldn’t go.”[[In-content Ad]]
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Now, after 46 years, he is retiring from his work with ministry.
Before he started college at Anderson University, Yoder knew he wanted to be involved in serving the needs of people. He ended up receiving a degree in elementary education because he thought he could go anywhere in the world and support himself with that knowledge.
After college, Yoder made a trip to Appalachia in Lee County, Ky., to teach at a camp for underprivileged children. It was there where Yoder “found his call” to come back to ministry and become a pastor. While he always had been a part of church, he had never fully considered making it his job until then.
“I heard God direct me to go back to seminary,” said Yoder.
His career in ministry started after he went back to Anderson University for graduate school. He was called to a small community church outside of Anderson to start his work.
“It was during that time that I confirmed that this was the direction that my life needed to go,” said Yoder.
Since working in Anderson for two years, Yoder has been with three other churches, including one in Camrose Alberta, Canada, for five years; one in Los Angeles for 15 years; and finally in 1991 he moved back to Warsaw to become the pastor at Warsaw Church of God, where he has been for the past 21 years.
“I guess I’m an unusual person,” said Yoder about his variety of church locations.
Yoder finds that some parts of his job have been harder than others. He thinks that dealing with people can be one of the hardest things he has to do because they never seem to do what he wants them to do. On the other hand, he finds the personal affirmation from God the easiest part of his job.
Hands down, Yoder found teaching has been his favorite part of his work in ministry, especially teaching to children.
“I’m naturally a teacher,” said Yoder. “I started out with an elementary education degree, so I’ve always been a teacher. I’ve always enjoyed teaching and I’ve taught children and youth and adults and everything along the way.”
Outside of his job, Yoder has been a part of many organizations around the community. He has participated in the Morning Breakfast Optimist group and works with the Kosciusko Community Foundation Board of Directors.
After his last church service Sunday, Yoder plans on taking the summer off, and will come back to the Warsaw Church of God part time for a year or two to help new pastor Tim Kumfer have a smooth transition into his new role. He also plans on hunting and fishing and visiting the beach.
Yoder told his congregation a few reasons why he decided to retire. He mentioned that he will be 69 this summer and it is “probably his time to go” and that the stress of leadership is always growing. Most importantly, he wants the church to be able to grow in a different way.
“I believe the church will benefit from some new leadership,” said Yoder. “To go some new directions that I haven’t gone, and probably wouldn’t go.”[[In-content Ad]]
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