About Us

60 Plus YearsBuilt on a firm foundation

YPM was built upon a strong foundation, the foundation first laid by the apostles with Jesus Christ as its cornerstone. And, for more than the past 65 years, YPM leaders and volunteers have continued to build upon that foundation gleaning experience and valued relationships with others to grow and strengthen the ministry. God has honored YPM’s faithfulness and has always raised up leaders and resources to continue this ministry to the “least of these.” (Matthew 25).

Learn more about YPM’s History

Learn more about YPM’s Approach to Ministry.

YPM’s Vision

YPM’s vision is to have organized weekly small group ministries throughout Pennsylvania and surrounding areas such that inmates and returning citizens, regardless of their history, along with their loved ones, can attend a meeting wherever they go. Yoke”fellowship” will be known for their “relational” approach and “relevant” discussions.

  • YPM volunteers will:
    • model and share the life-transforming truth of God’s Word’
    • help participants understand and apply the Word of God to their lives as well as specific situations; and,
    • encourage participants in their walks.

Practical advice on dealing with prison life, preparing for re-entry, and transitioning into society will also be provided.

YPM’s Foundational Scripture

Come to me all you who are burdened and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.
(This is the rest that comes from Salvation)

Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
(This is the rest that comes from a changed life.)

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
— Matt 11:28-30

YPM’s Statement of Faith

God – There is one eternal, almighty, and perfect God in essence, revealed in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We are faithful to the biblical revelation that in one sense God is one and in a different sense He is three. Deut 6:4, Matt 3:16-17, Matt 28:19

Jesus Christ – Jesus Christ is true God and true Man, born of a virgin, died for our sins, rose from the dead, and will return in glory and power. Matt 1:20, Matt 16:27, Rom 1:3-4

The Holy Spirit – When a person becomes born again, by believing and receiving Jesus Christ, God resides in that person through the Holy Spirit. All the divine attributes ascribed to the Father and the Son are equally ascribed to the Holy Spirit. Gen 1:26, Acts 2:28, 1 Cor 3:16

The Word – The Bible is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God given through the Holy Spirit for the purpose of teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. 2 Tim 3:16-17, Heb 4:12-13, 2 Pet 1:20-21

The Fall – God created mankind in His own image, but through the fall in the Garden of Eden man was removed from the Garden and separated from God. Thus, we are all sinners and cannot earn God’s favor on our own. Gen 3, Rom 3:23

Jesus Christ is the Only Way
Jesus Christ is the only way

The Plan – God’s original plan to give mankind eternal life was rejected by Adam and Eve. In God’s redemptive plan, man is rescued from death by the priceless shed blood of Jesus Christ. His atoning death on the cross ended the separation for all those who come to Him. Rom 4:23-25, Eph 2:8, 1 Pet 3:18

The Way – Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through Him. Jesus Christ is the only way to be saved. John 14:6, John 20:31, Acts 4:10-12

The Call – Everyone who is reconciled to God through Christ Jesus is called to be a minister of reconciliation – an ambassador of Christ. As Yokefellows, we are called to provide a ministry of reconciliation to those who are or were incarcerated, always showing love and respect to all persons. Matt 5:16, 2 Cor 5:20, Eph 6:17-20

The Body of Christ – All believers are members of the body of Christ. With Christ as the “head,” every member is called to have a personal relationship with Him, to be His disciple, to love one another, and to use our gifts for the body. John 12:26, 1 Cor 12:27, Col 1:18

The New Covenant – Those who yoke themselves to Christ are no longer part of the Old Covenant. Though the OT law is good in that it showed us our need for Christ and how to please God, Christians live by and are under a new covenant of grace alone. Having been released from the law, we are to live by grace and our lives are to continually reflect the glory of God. Gal 3:13-14, Gal 3:19, 1 Tim 1:8

The Reward – For taking the message of God’s transforming love and forgiveness to captives and sharing the grace that has been given to us, great will be our reward in heaven. Matt 5:12, Matt 25:34-36, 1 Pet 1:3-5

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