Gather The People House of Prayer
Pastor Yvoone C. Yates
Dr. Yvonne C. Yates was born in Philadelphia, PA, third child of the Late Pastor Cleave M. and Mattie Edwards.  She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age.  She has always loved the Lord and tries to serve Him in whatever way she can. Pastor Yates has a heart for God and for His people.  It is her desire that people might see the love of God through the work of the ministry.

On March 21, 1981, Yvonne was called by God to study the Word.  In October of 1984, God called her to evangelize and she was 
licensed on November 3, 1984 by Pastor Willis A. Brown of Mt Airy Baptist Church.  March 27, 1994 she was ordained by Pastor Willis A Brown and was called to Pastor “Gather the People House of Prayer” (Duet 31:12).

Many, in one word, “powerful”, describe Pastor Yates.  She is a person of undying energy.  Fueled by her committed prayer life and faithfulness to the call and the mission given her by God, to evangelize a dying world and give hope to those who have lost hope and strengthen the weak.  Her message is simple, “Accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and you shall be saved.”  It is the message of repentance and righteousness.  A message of peace and love.  It is a message that rings through the streets of 15th and Clearfield where the ministry is housed.  This message and compassion have revitalized a dying neighborhood.

Dr. Yvonne C. Yates is the founding Pastor of Gather the People House of Prayer.  It is a community based, grass roots ministry that functions with a hands on approach.  The goal  of Gather the People House of Prayer is to gather families, children, fathers, mothers, men, women, the wayward and the lost that they might return or turn to the Lord God of our salvation.

The catalyst of this ministry, that is, that which sustains and maintains this woman of God is that she has not prostituted her anointing, but has remained humble.  She is a kept woman and is a keeper.  She is a woman of wisdom and prayer. A woman of character and integrity who is motivated by her love for God and her love and commitment to the people she is called to serve.

Pastor Yates has overcome much and accomplished much,  She holds a host of degrees and has been honored for her numerous contributions and accomplishments in both the Christian and secular circumstances.  She is the founder and visionary of God Is Ministry.  She is a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother realizing that family is an intricate part of ministry.

She is married to Walter Yates a very dedicated, supportive husband whom she loves, honors and respects.  Together they parent three beautiful children Marian, Yvette and Major Walter Yates, Jr., who is presently serving in the United States Marines; three grandchildren, Tiana, Corey and Walter, III, whom she is very proud of; two son-in-laws, Steven and Sean; one daughter-in-law, Dawn.

Pastor Yates is retired from the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, where she was employed as a Domestic Relations Case Worker, Court Officer and Court Crier.

Our Pastor