My name is Paul Yankello

and this is my story...

I was born and raised in Moon Township with three older brothers and a younger sister. My father was a Merchant and as I grew up, he spent most of his days and evenings at work caring for the family business. This left my mother at home to raise the five of us and with four boys ---it had to be trying at times.  We attended church on a weekly basis, but as a family with five children, we seldom made it on time. As long as we got to church and in our seats before the sermon started, it counted. I thought I could find favor with God by doing the right things.  As I got older, God became distant to me. I felt He had bigger things to worry about rather than be concerned for me.

I began to run from God and follow the desires of my heart. Life became self-focused.  I tried to find fulfillment in women, music, and drugs. My involvement in a band led me down a road to the dark-side of spiritual things. Life for me really had no purpose or meaning. It was all about my desires, my work, my music and my partying. I met a girl who I thought would meet all of my needs, wants and desires. We dated for sometime and in 1992 got engaged. 

Soon, we began looking for a church to have our wedding.  She had visited Orchard Hill once before and thought that I might like it. I remember walking into the Chapel, at the foot of this hill thinking,  "Where is the cross?" There was just a stage with a blue background, some plants, a keyboard, and a drum kit. I was blown away by the service, the music, and the message. I left wondering, "That was church?" I couldn't wait to return the following weekend to hear the next message in the series.  Eventually, things turned south in my relationship with my finance'. I was devastated. The constant in my life was attending Orchard Hill's weekend services – so I continued to come week after week.

One weekend, I heard the pastor share that God was a personal God and that He was dying to have a relationship with me, a relationship based not on what I did to find favor with Him, but on what Jesus Christ had done for me. The message hit my heart. During the closing prayer, the pastor asked anyone who would like to have a personal relationship with Christ to pray along with him and I did. That evening, I knelt down beside my bed and prayed the same prayer again. I said to God, "I don't know if you are real, but if you are and if the teaching I have heard is true, then I want to know you personally. Reveal yourself to me." It is difficult to describe, but the next day, I felt God's love sweep over me.  While my behavior wasn't different overnight, my outlook on life was changed. Slowly I began to address the areas of my life that needed change.

While this life transformation was happening, I met and married my wife Annette. We have two wonderful children, Amanda who is 4 and Michael who is 2.  We are also expecting our third child in March.   We attend Orchard Hill together as a family.  Annette serves in KidsQuest and KidsFest and I have served on the Parking Team and in the small group ministry.

I have found that my relationship with Christ has its peaks and valleys.  Two years ago when I was in one of those valleys, I attended the men's retreat.  The weekend rejuvenated my commitment to serve Christ in all areas of my life.  After the persistent invitation of Danny Parker, I joined a Monday evening men's group.  I meet every week with 10 other men who share similar struggles but I am learning to become a leader in home, in my marriage, in my community, and in my church.

My life has never been the same since the day I prayed that prayer.  God has and continues to change me. He is the foundation of my life and my relationships. I still experience struggles in life, but I desire to know Him more and to follow His example in every area of my life. He has given me much more than I deserve and I am so grateful. I am thankful for our church leadership and vision and for the ministries of Orchard Hill. I am also grateful for the opportunity to share my story with you.

My name is Paul Yankello and this is my story.