About Yogi Taylor

Hello there.  Thank you for visiting the site.  Here is some info conserning Yogi Taylor, although there are others that contribute to the post from time to time.

A little back ground

I am 34 years of age.  Marriage to my best friend Kelli.  We have 3 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.  Currently, 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 2004 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 currently minister as a Hospice Chaplain for Odyssey Hospice. I spend my days at the bedside of the dying, assisting them with eternal matters as an Ambassador of Christ my King.

 Men that have influenced me in Ministry…

1. 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…!
2. 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!
3. 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…

1. 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!
2. 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!
3. 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!
4. 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!
5. 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.