Elder Jacob O. Meyer
 

1934-2010

"The righteous perish, and no man lays it to heart; and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.
He enters into peace; they rest in their beds, each one that walks in his uprightness." Isaiah 57:1-2 (ASV)

Elder Jacob Owen Meyer
Religious Leader, Broadcaster, Television Personality, Teacher, and Pastor
November 11, 1934 – April 9, 2010

Jacob Owen Meyer of Bethel passed to his rest on Friday, April 9, 2010 at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey Pennsylvania. Surrounded by his loving wife, children, Grandchildren and great grandchildren, he peacefully left this life around 4:30 PM. Jacob O. Meyer, known by most as Elder Meyer, was President, Bishop, and Directing Elder of the Assemblies of Yahweh, a religious organization and ministry he founded in 1966 with the Sacred Name Radio broadcast. Elder Jacob O. Meyer is widely regarded as the driving force behind the advancement in understanding and usage of the biblically correct Sacred Names of Yahweh for the Heavenly Father and Yahshua for His Son in worship and study over the
past 40 years. At his demise, he was 75 years old.

Born in Bethel Township, Pennsylvania to the late Mary M. (Bross) and Jacob J. Meyer on November 11, 1934, Jacob was the oldest of three children. On December 24, 1952, he married Velma Ruth Foreman with whom he had 10 children. Prominently known for his work with the Assemblies of Yahweh, Elder Meyer continued as presenter on the Sacred Name Broadcast radio program for more than 44 years, and also produced the Sacred Name Telecast TV program since 1977. These programs are viewed and heard on more than 25 media outlets throughout the United States and overseas, as well as simulcast on the
Assemblies of Yahweh international shortwave radio station WMLK, and streamed continuously through the Assemblies of Yahweh and WMLK Radio websites.

Having taken extensive coursework at Evangelical School of Theology in Myerstown, PA, Elder Meyer continued his studies at Dropsie University in Philadelphia, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and Israel Institute in Jerusalem, Israel. Recognized as an expert in biblical languages, Holy Land archaeology, Bible study methodology, and Bible History, Elder Meyer was also publisher of 9 books and editor of The Sacred Scriptures Bethel Edition, a Bible edition currently in its 8th printing with over 60,000 copies in circulation.

Elder Meyer was also Editor-in-Chief and primary author of three monthly publications, the Sacred Name Broadcaster, and the Narrow Way newsletter and magazine. He also authored countless booklets, articles, pamphlets, editorials, and reviews on a wide scope of religious, ethical, and biblical topics. His monthly Prophetic Trends feature in the Sacred Name Broadcaster magazine was widely read and appreciated. Founder of Obadiah School of the Bible, a Bible training institution, in 1974, and Dalet School, a K-12 religious private school, in 1976, Elder Meyer continued as Chief Administrator and Instructor Emeritus at both institutions. In 2006, Elder Meyer received a commendation from the Obadiah School of the Bible graduates group for more than 10,000 hours of volunteer service at the school. As Pastor of the Bethel Assembly, the Headquarters Congregation of the Assemblies of Yahweh, Elder Meyer presented a weekly sermon that was heard both in Bethel and around the world via an Internet live stream.

Elder Jacob O. Meyer was widely traveled. Beginning with a six-week journey around the United States in 1969, he visited all fifty states and more than thirty foreign countries on six continents in the work of his ministry for the past 40 years. As Directing Elder, he was instrumental in the administration and operation of the Assemblies of Yahweh organization, including the establishment of regional assemblies and satellite offices throughout the United States and in more than 15 foreign nations. Elder Meyer was known for his annual trips to the Holy Land each spring, a trip he had made since 1983. On many of these trips he served as educational tour guide to student groups. Recently it was noted that in his ministry Elder Meyer had traveled around the world at least 4 times, had accumulated nearly 2 million travel miles and had delivered no fewer than 5000 full length sermons, lectures, Bible Studies and special services. He loved to teach, educate, and counsel to aid people in their quest for a spiritual life. He mentioned many times that as a teacher you must learn to love the unlovely. This he did, continually expressing love to the heavenly Father, Yahweh while expressing love and concern for his fellowman, especially to those that he taught and ministered. He also performed countless weddings, funerals, baptisms, and anointing services in his years of ministry.

Raised with an agricultural background, Elder Meyer was an avid gardener and kept his own horses and assorted small animals. He founded and continued as Managing Partner of Shalom Farm, an organic dairy farm and dairy processing enterprise of the Meyer family located in Jefferson Township, Pennsylvania. Cheese from the Meyer family plant is sold under several brands and labels in stores throughout the Northeastern United States. Elder Meyer served a recent term as the elected constable of Bethel Township, Berks County. He also served on the advisory board of the National Association of Shortwave
Broadcasters, as well as other civic and organizational positions. He served as Choir Director
of the Bethel Choir for more than 20 years.

Known by many of his family and friends as Owen, Elder Meyer is survived by a sister, Mildred Deck, of Missouri, and a Brother, Carl Meyer of Ohio, his wife of 57 years Ruth , seven sons; Joseph G., Jacob C., Daniel K., Jonathan S., Micah D., Nathaniel A., and Solomon E., three daughters Mary E., Rachel A., and Sarah A., thirty- seven grandchildren, and nineteen great grandchildren and was loved by all. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a grandson Jeremy Seth, and an infant great granddaughter Ashley Owen.

Funeral Services took place April 14, 2010 at the Assemblies of Yahweh International Headquarters Convocation Center at 300 Airport Rd. in Bethel. Interment was at the Assemblies of Yahweh cemetery on the headquarters property. Online condolences may be made through the Assemblies of Yahweh website at www.assembliesofyahweh.com or through the website of Lamm and Witman funeral homes at www.lammandwitman.com. Memorial donations may be addressed to the Jacob O. Meyer Memorial Fund in care of the Assemblies of Yahweh, P.O. Box C. Bethel, PA
19507.
 

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith:
henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Master, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8