Joseph Yerger

Senior Pastor

Although a native-born Floridian (a true rarity), I am happy and excited to enjoy the different life in the
Mid-West. I am a second-generation, second-career pastor, having previously spent 15 years in retail
management before entering ministry.

I am a graduate of the University of West Florida with a BSBA in Management, the University of
Central Florida with an MBA, from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity,
and is presently a DMIN Candidate at Ashland Theological Seminary. Prior to coming to Mansfield 1 st
Presbyterian, I served as the Senior Chaplain of a State Prison in Florida.

My wife, Jodie, is my “High School Sweetheart”, although the circumstances of life did not see us get
married until much later. She is an IT professional and helps me with all of my technical and electronic
issues at church. “Once upon a time...” it was customary for a Pastors wife to play piano and sing in
the choir, but now it is more advantageous to have one who can handle modern challenges like a sound
board, stage lighting, or live streaming (not that we have any need for “fancy” lighting or “internet
church”).

At home, we have two kittens: Josephs aged cat, Kilo, a “Hemingway” or “poly-dactyl” (which simply
means that he has way too many toes); and our “rescue cat”, Toffee, a “Tortie” whom we rescued after
she had been abandoned on the church doorstep, along with three other kittens.

Joseph is an avid reader; reading across most genres from Science Fiction, to Biographies, and of
course to Theology. Joseph is a gamer and also enjoys wood working as some of his hobbies. He is also
a competent DIY repairman, busily renovating their new home.

Jodie is a gamer as well. Together they enjoy a variety of game types: video games, board games, table-
top and role-playing games. Jodie enjoys cooking and has become something of an “Insta-Pot” and
“Air Fryer” evangelist. She is also an avid “crafter”, doing both crochet and photography. Jodie also
loves to hike, which is something she picked up from her father.

What do you like best about your ministry at church?
I really enjoy being able to join people and share in their lives, discipling and being discipled, as we
live, work, and worship our Holy and Sovereign Lord. Together we can then grow in faith, love,
understanding and unity as members of the Body of Christ.

Other than Jesus, who has had the greatest impact on your life?
Johannes Gutenberg, the man who invented the printing press; reading has helped to
expand my horizons with knowledge and information, introduced me to many different worlds and
cultures (both real and imagined), and enabled the easy sharing and reading of the Bible with me (and
everyone else) across the globe over the past few centuries.