Our Staff

             Rev. Dr. John Yenchko, Senior Pastor

Email jvyenchko@excite.com 

(Biographical sketch composed by Elder Don Cameron):

John was raised in a loving home in Pittsburgh PA along with his twin sister Susan. He was active in a variety of academic, athletic and musical interests and graduated from Churchill area high school in 1975. Although he had some religious interest, it was not until his senior year of high school that John trusted Christ and prayed to Him, inviting Him to become the Savior and Lord of his life.

John attended the University of Virginia (1975-1979) to study liberal arts, and he graduated with high distinction. During that time a church planter named Skip Ryan came to town. Mr. Ryan graciously discipled John and allowed him to participate in the work of the church plant, where John developed gifts in evangelism, pastoral ministry, preaching and teaching.

From Charlottesville, John came directly to Westminister Theological Seminary in Philadelphia to prepare for the ministry. During that time, he was actively involved as a Bible study leader at Tenth Presbyterian Church. In his third year of seminary he married Nina Lari, and became involved in New Life Presbyterian Church as an intern. After receiving his Master of Divinity degree (1982) John earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Westminster (1984). In April of 1984 John began his pastoral ministry at New Life Church, serving on the staff with Jack Miller, and then becoming the pastor of the church in 1987, serving this growing church through May of 2003.

We have observed that John's passions flow from his desire to help people know Christ and grow in their relationship to Him. His personal mission statement, written years ago, is a good complement to the mission statement of our church:"To know Christ and to make Him known." We observe that he is open and honest about his sins and weaknesses and seeks to be quick to repent of them. He ministers to people as a fellow sinner growing in grace. We believe his spiritual gifts include: encouragement, wisdom, teaching, faith and evangelism.

John and Nina have two children, Andrew and Charlotte, both of whom made their profession of faith and have joined the church. John's passion and love for his wife and children are an encouragement to us.

John has a passion for church planting and serves with the NY Metro Presbytery Mission and Church Plant Committee. He also has a commitment to missions, serving on the board of World Harvest Mission. For several years John's national radio broadcast "New Life for the Family" was heard daily over the family radio network, and was especially popular in the New York area.

John lists his interests as, "making new friends, playing ping pong, listening to music, aerobic exercise, and eating rich food."

We trust that John will help us "Know Christ" together and "Make Him known" to our community.

                Brandon Cameron, Youth Director