In 1987 after a season of transition from leadership in another ministry, Keith Yoder "heard" the phrase rise within him:  "Be a resource to pastors."  Weeks passed and this impression strengthened.  Keith realized the Lord was leading him into something without a framework, plan, or salary.  Yet the phrase, "Be a resource to pastors" was reshaping and commissioning him.

Keith's wife, Marian, confirmed the new mission was right for him.  Employed in a ministry, also, she proposed, "Give yourself to this for a year, and if it doesn't work out, find a different job".  Out of that transition he founded Teaching The Word Ministries to provide teaching in congregational settings and to “be a resource to pastors.” The name of the ministry was chosen to keep the mission centered on the Word of God as the source of wisdom. The scriptural theme chosen as a banner for the ministry remains Proverbs 16:20 “He who gives attention to the Word shall find good; and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.”

Keith began accepting invitations to teach in congregations and meet with pastors in mentoring relationships.  Four months later his schedule was full, and it has been ever since.

Taking the first step to serve pastors locally has taken Keith’s feet to serve and enrich not only pastors, but also directors of ministries and leaders in the marketplace locally, in neighboring regions, and in other nations.

Don Riker joined the ministry in the fall of 1995 as a consulting staff member after ten years of leadership in pregnancy center ministries on the national and local levels. He is currently the Executive Minister of Teaching The Word Ministries and is also an ordained minister.

Don has brought to Teaching the Word Ministries a passion and desire to see leaders in congregations, non-profit organizations, and in the marketplace fulfill God's Kingdom calling and vision for their lives.

Today Teaching the Word Ministries ministers to leaders through such services as teaching; counseling; assessment of leaders, organizations, boards, church planter candidates, and staff; team development; coaching; mentoring; personal prayer ministry; seminars; and consulting for organizational development with leaders in congregations, ministries, and the marketplace.

Two divisions within the ministry extend our services through associates:

LEAD Ministries (Leadership Development)

Radical Restoration Ministries, LLC (Oversight, teaching, consulting)

TTWM oversees a number of congregations, ministries, and networks of churches and their leaders as well as individual leaders in the marketplace. TTWM is also involved in ministry internationally as it is currently serving leaders in Asia.