Our latest alumni Q&A features 2018 graduate Zac Yonko. While at Waynesburg, Zac earned his B.A. in English.
Q: Where do you work, and/or what is your position? What is your current location?
Right now, I serve as the lead pastor at Vinco Brethren Church in Mineral Point, PA, which is a town right beside the city of Johnstown. I’ve served in this role for the past five years and am currently in my sixth year of ministry. I am also a part of various leadership teams such as the Ashland Brethren NE Regional Team. I am also an online seminary graduate student at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. I am pursing a Master of Divinity.
Q: Can you describe a typical day in your life?
As a pastor my day may look different depending on what needs must be met. For example, one day I might wake up, go get a cup of coffee, see my wife off as she heads to teach 7th grade English, then go down to the hospital to visit congregants. Another day might look like waking up early to meet a congregant for breakfast. Another day might look like waking up to meet someone for a counseling session in the church office. Another day I might find myself in my study to work on a sermon and make phone calls. In the afternoons, I am typically working on course work or in a synchronous Zoom class. Each day looks different, which I enjoy!
When I have downtime, I enjoy spending it at the local movie theater seeing any movie I haven’t already or finding a quiet place to sit and read a good book. But I always cap off my day with eating dinner with my wife, watching an episode of whatever show we are into (right now it is Monk), and playing a round of Mario Kart with her.
Q: What made you decide to begin posting movie reviews?
Like I mentioned, I find myself in a movie theater often. Movies became a big part of my life when my dad and mum took me to Blockbuster every weekend when I was little, and watching films just kind of stuck with me. I am an avid movie collector, too, trying to build a diverse library of film. I wanted to start to share my passion in different ways on Instagram and TikTok and so far, I have gotten a pretty positive response!
Q: What is your best performing video so far, and has the response surprised you?
I started shifting how I use TikTok by sharing movie scenes and moments that I enjoy. One evening I was watching one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies, Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, and I forgot about a scene in it where the gang gets trapped in a house after trying to ring the doorbell. That’s when they notice a girl scout who asks, “Would you like to buy a box of cookies?” Then they notice a trapped duo of Jehovah’s Witnesses who ask, “Have you heard the good news?” This makes Scooby Doo respond, “Yeah, there’s cookies.” I posted this scene with the caption, “this will never not be funny.” The next day, the video had more than 3 million views and more than 450,000 responses. I never thought posting that scene would get a response like that.
Q: Can you describe your time at Waynesburg and how it shaped you as a person?
WU will always have a special place in my heart. I was shaped the most by the vast opportunities I had which made me into the person I am today. I was heavily involved on campus, from WCTV to being in a one-act [play] in the GPAC. I was an RA in Thayer Hall, and I was also involved in Campus Ministry. Getting involved allowed me to see how all areas of life matter, and how my eclectic passions and hobbies were a good thing.
Q: What is your favorite memory as a Waynesburg student?
I cannot not say meeting my wife, right? In all seriousness, that is probably my favorite memory — the nights of ordering Scotty’s Pizza and watching a movie with her. She and I meeting up with friends to go to WU Idol, WU’s Got Talent, or WU’s Line is It Anyway? All the trips we got to go on with friends to Kennywood, the Zoo, or trips to Morgantown for food. All my favorite memories are with her and our friends, who we still hang out with today!
Q: Where has life taken you since graduating from Waynesburg University?
Life has taken me to getting married, getting a full-time job, pursuing graduate school, and becoming heavily involved with the Brethren denomination. I’ve flown to conferences in Seattle and Boise. I’ve had the opportunity to speak at a conference in Grand Rapids, MI. I am working on a book. I’ve had poetry published. I’ve seen my best friends from Waynesburg build families and have kids. Life has been beautiful; it’s been chaotic and crazy, but beautiful.
Q: Why is staying connected with your alma mater important to you?
I’ve loved connecting with my alma mater because it is truly a community of people who care about all people who step foot on campus. I still talk to professors, staff members, and fellow alumni to this day! It has also allowed me to come back in different ways to help students on their journey, especially those pursing ministry degrees. While I am years away from being a WU student, I still feel like I am part of the growing family of WU alumni.
Q: Who was your favorite professor at Waynesburg, and why?
This is the hardest question, no lie. I must give a few shout outs. Firstly, Dr. Bob and Amy Randolph, who taught me how to craft my creativity with writing. They taught me to combine my love for Jesus and my love for poetry, to make authentic and moving art. Professor Jill Sunday taught me a love for reading and reading diverse literature that opens the eyes of the soul. Dr. Jamie Dessart showed me I can be a pop culture nerd and an academic at the same time and combine my love of those.
Lastly, Professor Josh Sumpter. I consider Professor Sumpter not only a friend, but a lifelong mentor. I learned so many skills from him that have helped me in seminary, as well as character traits that have helped me in pastoral ministry. He also officiated my wedding. Professor Sumpter also gave me opportunities to preach at WU Tuesday chapel services multiple times, which helped me become a better preacher.
Q: What advice do you have for current students? For recent graduates?
When I would give tours at Waynesburg University, my biggest piece of advice was always, "get involved with anything and everything you can handle." I loved that I got to run a radio hour for WCYJ-FM and got to run a Bible study. I loved that I got to serve at First Presbyterian Church but also got to work in the Admissions office. There are a plethora of ways to figure out who you are, what you like and don’t like, and meet people along the way who might stick around past graduation.