Yoder, J. Otis (1914-2003)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2003 Sep 15 p. 6

Birth date: 1914

text of obituary:

Radio ministry founder dies at 88

By Robert Rhodes Mennonite Weekly Review

When Myron Augsburger was a student at the former Eastern Mennonite College, he was often taken to revival meetings by one of his professors.

Augsburger said J. Otis Yoder, a Greek scholar and evangelist who aught at the Harrisonburg, Va., college and seminary from 1947 to 1968, would ask him to help lead the singing. it was the first of many partnerships between Augsburger, later the president of what is now Eastern Mennonite University, and Yoder, who died July 18 at age 88 at Mattawana, Pa.

Though he spent 21 years in the classroom, Yoder's ministry became even broader after he left teaching. As founder of the Heralds of Hope radio ministry, Yoder's preaching eventually spread around the world, with broadcasts still heard in six languages.

Yoder's nephew, J. mark Horst, now directs the ministry, based at Breezewood, Pa.

"Otis was a very conservative man in his thinking," Augsburger said Sept. 5. "I'm thankful for his contribution among all our diversity."

Augsburger said Yoder brought knowledge and enthusiasm to his classroom teaching, gifts that extended to his broader ministry as well.

"He was a very effective teacher, a good professor of Greek," Augsburger said. "Otis was a good New Testament scholar."

Instead of freighting his sermons with complex theology, Yoder opted for Scriptural depth and authenticity.

"Otis' style was simple in terms of exegesis," Augsburger said. "And in other countries we've found that it's easier for them to translate [and understand] him."

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2003 Sep 29 p. 5