Rev. George Yates ~ 1978-1983

Ordained July 2, 1978. Installed October 15, 1978. George majored in Philosophy and Religion at Grove City College in Pa. and studied the Hebrew Language at Lancester Seminary A graduate of Princeton University. He and his wife Jane have three children, daughters Joy, Julie and son Jonathan. Rev. Yates was instrumental in starting the 2:7 Navigators Study Groups at Bethel. Also during Rev. Yates pastorate the board of Deacons was reestablished in 1979 .George has always been an avid fisherman and hunter. Jane is an accomplished pianist and was always ready to help out with the music for church function.
Rev. Yates left Bethel in November 1983 to become an active duty Army Chaplain. He was stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia where he served as battalion chaplain to a training unit of 1200 troops. In addition to Sunday worship, he did counseling, troop visitations, and organized special events and services. In 1985 Chaplain Yates was reassigned to the 67th Battalion, a rapid deployment force. He spent many weeks on field maneuvers, received the Army Achievement medal, and the meritorious Service Medal, the highest award given to Captains in peace time. Rev. Yates became pastor of the Oakwood Presbyterian Church in New Bethlehem, Pa and then served as pastor at 2nd Presbyterian Church New Castle, Pa. He is now pastor of New Covenant Evangelical Presbyterian Church of New Castle, Pa. He was called in 2003 to serve in Iraq in his capacity as Chaplain. He is now retired from the Army. As of the year 2009 George and Jane have been married 35 years and have three grandchildren.