I’m Pastor Bruce V. Yancey of the Abiding Word Church. I began my journey on December 7, 1950 in Kansas City, KS. My parents Juanita H. (November 23, 1924-August 7, 2008) and Augustus B. Yancey (April 25, 1914-September 25, 1993) My mother was a school teacher in Kansas and my father was a master sgt. in the U.S. Army and served in World War II. My father also worked at Ford Motor Co. after the war. My parents also have a scholarship given every year to Santa Monica College. My younger sister Antronette Toni Yancey (November 1, 1957-April 23, 2013) played college basketball at Northwestern and received her doctorate. Antronette was a professor at UCLA and work with Michelle Obama on physical and nutrition campaign.

I attended Pittsburgh University where I graduated with my BA in education. I was also part of a non-profit organization Up With People where we toured around 10 European countries and the Olympics. I met my beautiful wife Bonnie in the summer of 1970! We got married on June 8, 1974. We have our great one and only daughter Robyn and wonderful son-in-law Leon Mukalay. They have given us the best granddaughter that we could’ve ever asked for Victoria! I gave my life to the Lord Jesus Christ in 1978 and haven’t looked back since. My calling to spread the word and love of Jesus Christ came with the mentors E.L. Battles of Love Sanctuary God in Christ and Johnny Castleberry of Golden Gate Church of God in Christ.

I gave my first sermon in 1984. On July 31, 1996 we begin the Abiding Word Church (nondenominational) with 15 members and we have been growing ever since. God has taught us a lot over the years for example I thought I’d be a teacher which I did for a while. In 1974 til 1980 I was a part of the opening of Hulen Mall as selling service manager. In 1980 I begin my career in banking where I’ve been everything from the bank manager to special assets manager. September 11, 2001 rough times hit my banking department that caused me to travel between Dallas and Chicago. In 2005 they completely did away with my department for 4 years. In those 4 years I was able to help grow my wife’s business House of Elegance and sharpen and grow further in Jesus Christ. In 2009 the bank called back offering my family and I a position in which we took. Long story short the Lord will always provide if you stay prayed up and living by his unchanging hand.

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it”

~1 Corinthians 10:13~