I cannot express the amount of love I have for my pastor, Dan Yeary. I have had the pleasure to serve at NPHX along side one of the most God Honoring men I’ve ever known for my 15 years here on staff. Over that time, I’ve picked up skills from just watching him in meetings, etc. Though this list could go on forever, here are 9 top things I learned from Dan Yeary, Pastor of North Phoenix Baptist Church.
Know as many people by name as possible
Everywhere Dan went, he knew the importance of people, Jesus came for people and Dan knew more names than anyone I knew. I took this cue early on. Putting a name to a face.
Pray Constantly
Christian life is fueled by prayer. Nothing was more tantamount in Dan’s ministry that everything be bathed in prayer.
Love your Wife
For the entire time I’ve known Dan, he has always had to deal with his wife, who suffered from incredibly crippling disease, MS. I never heard him complain ONCE!
Tell a Compelling story
Jesus told stories to make a point. Dan does too. Dan told so many stories that helped everyone understand the Gospel better.
Grace above all else
There where so many times that I’ve seen Dan want the best for those around him. He always exercised grace to everyone. All deserved the grace of God.
Don’t make it political
Dan was so careful not to preach a political agenda couched in the Gospel, reminding us that the church’s job is to preach Jesus only.
Kids are important
Dan Preached a sermon entitled, the Church for Rachel Kay. He wanted our generation to understand that we must be about moving forward as a church to be relevent to the next generations to come.
Character, Commitment, Competency
I can’t remember how many staff meetings Dan used this in, but he used these words to describe a perfect church employee.
Give them Jesus
A long time ago, Dan went on a personal retreat. Spending time to hear from God about the direction of the church. Everyone was expecting him to come back with some grand strategy or change we needed to make. He simply came back with one phrase, “Give them Jesus.” Beyond everything else we worry about, what we are doing, or what we need to be, “Give them Jesus” stood out to me as the most profound.
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Pastor Yeary was such an amazing man of God. I’m so blessed to have had the pleasure of having him as my first pastor at UBC ! The children of CDC loved when he came by the playground and chatted with them !
Dan Yeary was my college pastor at FBC, Lubbock. I have always considered him to be one of my mentors in the faith. A true disciple maker of a man.
In light of the recent news of Pastor Dan Yeary’s death,I found your post and couldn’t help but smile. I recognize many of the lessons you learned. He was such a people person; so kind and caring. I always thought of him as a gentle shepherd leading us closer to Jesus.