John Yates (Rector from 1979-2019)
John Yates served as the rector of The Falls Church in Falls Church, Virginia, since 1979. The Falls Church was established by English settlers as an Anglican church, and its leaders were instrumental in the development of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States in the late 1700s. But in 2006, the members of the church voted overwhelmingly to leave the Episcopal Church and have been deeply involved in the establishment of the new Anglican Church of North America. This church of around 3,500 active members is well known for training young pastors, planting daughter churches, biblical preaching, a strong focus on family life, vibrant worship, and outstanding youth ministry.
John is married to Susan Alexander Yates. They have five adult children and 21 grandchildren. Susan is well known for her many books on family life and as a speaker and teacher. John has written a number of books as well.
John has been an instrumental figure in the Anglican renewal movement here in the U.S. over the last several decades. He attended the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, graduating in 1968, Phi Beta Kappa and a Morehead scholar. He received his Masters of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1971, and in 1984 earned a Doctorate of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. His work over the years with Christian young people and young families has especially equipped him as a spokesman on family life. He and his wife are deeply involved in the Little Rock, Arkansas-based ministry, Family Life, and they speak regularly at Weekend to Remember conferences around the country.
On May 25-26, 2019, thousands praised God for His 40 years of faithfulness through the ministry of Susan and John Yates, and John led worship for the last time as our rector. John and Susan will be traveling a good deal in the next year or so, worshiping with our daughter churches, enjoying time with extended family and friends, and doing some speaking as well. John and Susan plan to eventually settle back into The Falls Church Anglican as regular members after a season of rest and refreshment.
