Otis Yoder's founding vision for Bible teaching was deeply anchored in his unwavering commitment to God’s Word. Growing up in a home of prayer and church community, he dedicated his life to the Lord, setting the course for his future ministry.
Otis pursued Bible languages, earning a Doctor of Theology degree in 1954, with a thesis on New Testament synonyms compared to their use in the Septuagint. He taught Greek at Eastern Mennonite for fifteen years and spent his first sabbatical studying and teaching in Jerusalem.
In 1967, Otis founded Heralds of Hope responding to a call to broaden his impact. His vision was not just to teach, but to ignite a passion for the Word that would inspire others to share it widely.
The next year, Heralds of Hope launched the 30-minute radio program, THE VOICE OF HOPE. Five years later, in answer to an invitation from Trans World Radio to begin international broadcasting, a second program, HOPE FOR TODAY, began. Arabic was the first translation and has expanded to 16+ other major languages. J. Otis answered God’s final call in July 2003. For the glory of Jesus, the ministry continues under the leadership of J. Mark Horst, who is likewise committed to the Word and the mission.
Heralds of Hope is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit
Sign-up to get a sermon straight to your inbox on a weekly basis!