Hello there. Thank you for visiting my blog site. Here is some info…
A little back ground
I am 31 years of age. Marriage to my best friend Kelli. We have 2 kids, house, dog, and a stray cat that we feed from time to time. I got my undergraduate degree at the University of Mobile, that’s were I met my wonderful wife. I attend Grace Theology Seminary (Winona Lake, IN) earning a Master’s of Arts and plan on applying this toward an M.Div at an undetermined seminary.
I have been in ministry most of my Christian life, for better or worse. However, much of ministry for me was ministering to students. Then a few years ago I was able to work at the Waterfront Rescue Mission for several years and served as Program Director. It was there that the Lord helped me develop my gifts and strengthen my weaknesses like never before.
In October of 07 Saraland Baptist Church (Mobile, AL) invited me to come and shepherd them as senior pastor. I am full-time and laboring with all my might to discipline myself and rightly divide the Word of Truth for these precious people.
Men that have influenced me in Ministry…
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Doug Chappelle- He was my student minister who became my mentor as I served under him while interning at FBC Tillman’s Corner. We don’t chat much anymore, but those chats we had during those days were life changing. He helped me understand that it is not just a love for the ministry and Word, but I must love Christ in all these things,being subject to Him in humility,… and he demonstrated that with his life. We may differ in theology some, but he has always carried a godliness in his life that I could only hope to live out…!
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Josh Rang- He was the student/adults minister at Dauphin Way BC and I served under him as the middle school pastor. He was a man full of wisdom, and practical ministries. He had a gift of taking rich theology and conveying it into terms that even a five year old could understand… and was a great influence upon my life!
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Paul Meredith – I owe a dept to this man that I am not sure that I will ever be able to repay. I am sure he would never think that he has gone out of his way to minister to me however, he has given me more practical wisdom to live by than any book one could ever read. He has lived out his theology in times of suffering, joy, with pressing job matters, with hurt church issues, etc… a man I greatly admire! I thank God for men like Paul Meredith who exemplify Christ in their lives!
Pastors/Theologians that Have influenced me…
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Dr. Steven Lawson - I sat under this man for years. He helped shape the way I understand Scripture, the way I value Scripture, and the way preach the Scriptures. He gave me the gem of Expository Preaching. I remember going to church and hearing him for the first time… I did not know that men could preach like that. I literally cried for the first two weeks that I sat under him. I was very excited to hear this incredible man divide the Word of Truth before me!
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Dr. John MacArthur - His books, sermons, and study Bible have been a constant guide for me for years. He is a man full of Truth!
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Dr. John Piper - His sermons and books have been my guide in preaching with passion, purity, and power! I thank God for his passionate, evangelistic, and reformed doctrine. It is a slap in the face of who are man-centered and self-serving!
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Dr. R.C. Sproul- His books and lectures have been directing my understanding in reformed theology and Biblical living for years. He is a genius and a gift to our time!
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Dr. Mark Dever- I am constantly falling in love with his writings, sermons, and methods of ministry. He embodies the pastor/theologian that I desire to be. I thank him for his 9 marks ministry and his faithfulness to be a diligent pastor looking to make a difference in our Lord’s kingdom.
Former Champions of the Faith that have influenced me…
I will add to this list at a later…
February 25, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Thanks for stopping by and for commenting.
February 26, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Chris, no problem! I enjoyed your blog and hope you enjoy this one as well.
It is new and I will be updating it as often as I can, and will look forward to comments that spur us on to love and good deeds (Heb.10).
Loving the Logos,
Yogi
February 26, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Yogi,
Are you waiting for me to die before you add me to that last list of yours?
February 26, 2008 at 10:28 pm
I signed up for your feed…I love using RSS feeds – - it allows me to keep track of so many different blogs like yours, regardless of how often you update.
I’m sure you use one too – - for those who don’t, see http://gotpreaching.wordpress.com/2007/06/13/rss-feeds/
February 27, 2008 at 3:04 am
Yogi,
The new blog is off to a good start. I like wordpress so much better. There are a lot less spam blogs on here than blogger. I gave up on blogger last year and made the move to wordpress. I look forward to the updates and you keeping me in touch with what is going on in Mobile. That’s a pretty good picture you have in your header. Where did you get it?
February 27, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Bro. Yogi,
I am soo blessed to be a part of SBC…and to have you Kelli, and your little ones be a part of my life!What a JOY it is to be a part of this creation and to witness the forming of your career in service to God as full time pastor of your own church… Thank you for being “who you are” and “what you are”. And, I am soo looking forward to watch you and SBC grow with your leadership..welcome aboard! I am soo proud of you and what you are doing at our church and with your life…As you walk with Jesus,keep looking up and know we appreciate and love you..looking to the future with much anticipation… thank you again for being you! EXCITEMENT doesn’t even say it!
Christian love,
glo<<
February 27, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Shannon, glad you stopped by! I got the pic from a search of “pictures of Mobile Alabama.” I think it might have been the city of Mobile website.
Gloria, you are a sweetheart. Thank you for saying those kind things… I look foward to growing with the church.
Yogi
February 29, 2008 at 4:39 pm
YOGI freakin TAYLOR!
How about this? I read your name in the comments on Abraham Piper’s blog… and I was like… Yogi Taylor? I know Yogi Taylor. What in the world? And here I am.
Hope you are doing well; holler at us if you are coming through Montgomery anytime. 334-313-0301. Peace!
March 27, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Hi Yogi!
Just stopping by.
~J
April 25, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Hey, Yogi. I’ve looked for you and Kelli so many times. I’m so glad to read that you’re doing well. I’d love to hear from you guys.
May 3, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Continuing on in our efforts to be Gospel-centered in our blogging, the Band of Bloggers network has been created. Join us as we seek to unify and encourage each other.
http://bandofbloggers.ning.com/?xgi=59sy6ms
May 5, 2008 at 5:53 pm
My first venture into blogging not too long ago and just now realizing how many former classmates blog. Greetings from Tennessee, Yogi. Stephanie says hi as well.
May 23, 2008 at 2:33 am
Yogi, What’s up dood! It’s been awhile, just took a position in Montgomery, maybe we can do lunch sometime. I am going to be in Mobile some this summer.
June 20, 2008 at 1:23 am
Nice blog!
October 31, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Hey Yogi,
I just found your blog. Great stuff. Hope things are going well. Feel free to stop by and read some of my stuff too.
March 22, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Yogi:
Had no idea where you were these days…received an email from Chris Yokley asking friends to pray for your little Hannah…I will continue to do so, and look forward to hearing how God moves in this circumstance…
God bless your little one!
April 8, 2009 at 3:54 am
Hey!! Me and jay have been praying for Hannah. We will continue to pray for her… I hope mommy and daddy are staying strong as you guys are surrounded by prayers. We love you!!
Leticia
September 2, 2009 at 10:39 am
Please support me in prayer for few things:
For RENEWING IN THE SPIRIT, prayers that are have efficiency, might, closeness with the Lord
For friend KACA -that she RECONCILE with her NEBOJSA, for their NEW BEGINNING.. That he does not pay attention to one JELENA, who is like after him, ENJOYING IN DESTROYING RELATIONSHIPS, GOSSIPING OTHERS, SELFSHNESS, but to REMEMBER LONG LOVE WITH KACA…
For their ways to MEET…That K. & N show their FEELINGS, and that GOD work out peace between them, healing their old hurts,THAT THEY START AGAIN and continue their WAY TOGETHER & and officially get married!
And for many blessings on YOUR, MINE, KACA’S.. on our families, for HEALTH, more finances, God’s leading and protection..God’s spiritual & financial blessings-BLESS YOU
Your sister in Christ, MARINA
November 1, 2009 at 4:43 am
YOGI!!!!!!! dude do you know how long I have been trying to find you on facebook and myspace and it took Google to do it! I am inspired by you, my former roomie! I often tell people about a certain night in Nov 97. And Third Day is in the top 25 of my playlist on my Ipod more than once. Shoot me an email so we can catch up. cecil.hollinghead@fe.navy.mil
yes I’m in the navy and out on cruise. There’s a lot to catch up about.
Be Blessed my brother