The Rev. Dr. Yoost was introduced to Lakeside because of his father, who also had a career as a pastor in the United Methodist Church (UMC). Every summer when his father needed to attend the East Ohio Conference, the Rev. Dr. Yoost looked forward to everything Lakeside had to offer him as a child, and then as a teenager.
It was actually as a seminary student in 1973 in Hoover Auditorium that he met his wife, who was also at Lakeside serving as East Ohio Conference Youth Council president.
As a native of Youngstown, the Rev. Dr. Yoost earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Akron, then his Master of Theology and Doctorate of Ministry in pastoral care and counseling from Boston University School of Theology. He also served at Church of the Saviour in Cleveland Heights.
He knew he wanted to be a pastor after seeing the role of support that his father was able to provide for people.
“I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives,” he said. “The most meaningful thing for me is being there for people during the crisis points of their lives. It’s inspiring to me to see how people are able to cope with the things that life may hand them. It gives me real encouragement and hope to see that.”
The Rev. Dr. Yoost has previously served as a pastor with the East Ohio Conference of the UMC. He was the Senior Pastor of Church of the Saviour in Cleveland Heights for 17 years. He also served as superintendent of the Mansfield District and was elected dean of the Cabinet in 1997. He is a three-time General Conference delegate and a World Methodist Conference delegate. The Rev. Dr. Yoost has served as a trustee for Ohio Northern University and as a staff member of the Lakeside Institute for 23 years. He also spent time on the Lakeside Chautauqua Board of Trustees and has served as a Preacher of the Week in years past.
Along with his current position with Lakeside, the Rev. Dr. Yoost also serves as an Associate for Care at the Old Stone Church in Cleveland, and on The Marsh Chapel Advisory Board for Boston University.
