Elizabeth Yates:  

Life The Reverend Elizabeth E. Yates¿ pastor, retired banker, mortgage broker, school administrator, cosmetician, mother¿grandmother, life student, music lover; Jacksonville, Florida. The Reverend Elizabeth E. Yates is an anointed Woman of God whose vision for God¿s people has enabled her to build a bridge that has reached across denominations, generations, gender, race, culture and ethnicities; changing the lives and the rebuilding of rural communities has been her passion. She is an ordained elder and the proud pastor of New Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Jacksonville, Florida; whose congregation has embraced her leadership and her vision. She is the first female pastor recently in February 2008 to the 110 year-old leading church in the East Conference. She accepted the challenge with pride and enthusiasm. Under her leadership they have remodeled the pastor¿s suite, secretary¿s office and conference room; and are currently purchasing new pews for the sanctuary. Prior to coming to New Bethel¿Tyler Street she served faithfully five years as the pastor of Greater Tanner Chapel, Quincy, Florida; where they purchased their first parish residence located on an acre and one half lot in the city of Quincy. Under the leadership of Rev. Yates at Greater Tanner Chapel they did a major refurbishing of all church offices; including the board room furnishing them in the latest furniture styles and creating a computer lab for learning. Pastor Yates also served New Bethel AME Church, White Springs, Florida where the church tripled in growth and discipleship. She also served as a staff minister at Greater Grant Memorial, Jacksonville, Florida; under the leadership of The Reverend Dr. Henry Elmore Green, Jr. and the late Rev. Yale Benjamin Bruce, Sr., Presiding Elder and Retired General Officer. Rev. Yates brings to the ministry an astute business acumen having served Florida¿s largest commercial bank for more than 18 years. With her financial background and lending experience she has assisted many churches with financing and business plans for church growth and expansion. She holds a State of Florida license for mortgage and commercial lending. Reverend Yates co-founded the 100 Distinguished Women along with Mrs. Martha C. Cummings, the former past immediate Supervisor of Missions 11th Episcopal District AMEC. These ladies were a group of spiritual women of various denominational backgrounds dedicated to fundraising; and serving as mentors for the students of Edward Waters College. Before Pastor Yates began her full time career in ministry she was the Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement of Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, Florida; where together they sought to enhance the financial growth and development of the institution by cultivating donors from both the private and public sectors. She is a member of the East Conference ¿Women ...Expand for more