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.

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 websites. The Assemblies of Yahweh was featured in a 2006 Reading Eagle article found in the paper’s archives.

Having taken extensive coursework at Evangelical School of Theology in Myerstown, Pennsylvania, Elder Meyer continued his studies at Dropsie University in Philadelphia, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and Holy Land Institute in Jerusalem, Israel. Recognized as an expert in biblical languages, Holy Land archaeology, Bible study methodology, and Bible History, Elder Meyer also authored nine books and edited 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 Narrow Way magazines and the Narrow Way Newsletter. He also authored and edited numerous 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 anticipated as he analyzed the current events in the light of bible prophecy. Founder of Obadiah School of the Bible, a Bible-training institution, in 1974, and Dalet School, a K-12 private religious school, in 1976, Elder Meyer continued as Chief Administrator and instructor at both institutions. In 2006, Elder Meyer received a commendation from the Obadiah School of the Bible graduates 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 at Bethel and around the world via an Internet live stream.

Elder Jacob O. Meyer traveled widely throughout his ministry. 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 four times, had accumulated nearly 2 million travel miles and had delivered no fewer than 5,000 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 frequently commented that as a teacher you must learn to love the unlovely. This he did, continually expressing love to his Heavenly Father Yahweh while expressing love and concern for his fellow man, especially to those that he taught and for which he ministered. He also performed countless weddings, funerals, baptisms, and anointing services in his years of ministry.

Having been 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 also served at several other civic and organizational positions. Among these was 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, and as Choir Director of the Bethel Choir for more than 20 years.