By: Forrest R. Church, Publisher
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
MONTPELIER, Ohio — On Sunday, June 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., a large crowd gathered at the River of Life Worship Center / Revive Church Ministry in Montpelier, Ohio, to hear Eli Yoder, a 42-year-old former Amish man turned preacher.
Known as “the preaching truck driver,” Yoder captivated attendees with his journey from the rigid confines of an ultra-conservative Amish community to a life dedicated to sharing biblical truth and supporting others seeking freedom from religious legalism.
Born and raised in Hardin County, Ohio, Yoder grew up in what he describes as one of the most conservative Old Order Amish communities, where strict rules dictated every aspect of life, from clothing to behavior.
At 18, a seemingly minor act—riding a bicycle—led to condemnation from church elders, who deemed it a violation of community standards.
Denied baptism, Yoder left the Amish, marking the start of a challenging quest for truth beyond the oppressive traditions of his upbringing.
Life after leaving the Amish was not easy. Yoder’s father, who was also in the process of leaving the Amish, joining his son, died by suicide just days before his planned departure.
Yoder battled depression and turned to drugs and alcohol, which strained his marriage to his Christian wife, Nicole. Her steadfast prayers and support, coupled with a life-changing encounter with Jesus in 2017, transformed Yoder’s path.
Now living in Waynesfield, Ohio, with Nicole and their 16-year-old son, Yoder balances his career as a truck driver with a vibrant ministry that reaches millions through social media platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook. He has a following of over 3 million and tens of millions of monthly video views.
Yoder’s ministry blends personal testimony with biblical teaching. His message resonates widely, emphasizing salvation through Jesus Christ rather than the constraints of religious legalism.
He critiques practices like shunning, which he calls “un-Christlike” and “man-made,” and highlights the inconsistency of Amish rules, such as bicycle bans in one community leading to expulsion, while nearby communities permit them.
Reflecting on his past, Yoder likens his life under Amish rules to “a lamp without oil,” empty and dark until he found fulfillment through the Bible, which provided oil and light.
His journey is chronicled in his book, Undeceived: From Amish Tradition to Christ’s Redemption, available on Amazon and at his speaking engagements.
At the Montpelier gathering, attendees obtained copies of the book and enjoyed a meal hosted by the church afterward, fostering fellowship among visitors.