For Jeff and Amanda Bohanan, YOKE has been more than just a ministry—it has been a lifelong journey of faith, service, and leadership. Their connection with YOKE dates back to the 1980s when they first became YOKE Folk, shaping not only their personal growth but also their passion for investing in young people.
Jeff’s journey with YOKE began through his church, Wallace Memorial Baptist, when he started serving at Northwest Middle School in 1987 under the leadership of Gordon and Wanda Hill. Amanda joined him the following year, and together, they helped launch YOKE at Powell Middle School. For four years, they poured into the lives of middle school students before stepping away to start a family.
In 1997, Jeff founded Protomet, a company that designs, engineers, and manufactures premium, custom components for boat manufacturers. Under his leadership, the company has grown to employ more than 250 associates across four facilities in East Tennessee. Jeff has cultivated a culture of continuous growth, encouraging employees to pursue their God-given abilities. His recently published book, Don’t Touch the Marshmallow, encapsulates the Christian-based core values that drive Protomet’s success.
Family remains at the heart of Jeff and Amanda’s lives. With three children and three grandchildren, Amanda cherishes time spent with family and friends and never misses an opportunity for a game night. Together, she and Jeff love to travel and enjoy time on the lake.
Jeff holds dear the relationships he built through YOKE, particularly the camaraderie that came with planning club meetings and crafting creative skits. “It didn’t hurt that we had a future comedy star on our team in Henry Cho,” he recalled with a smile. He also has fond memories of camp at both Camp John Knox and Camp BaYoCa. “Camps were exhausting, but they were also incredibly rewarding,” he shared.
Beyond the fun, Jeff gained invaluable lessons from his time with YOKE, and like so many others, he credits John Coatney as a mentor. “YOKE taught me principles of leadership, impact, and community. John is one of six men who most influenced my beliefs,” Jeff explained. “John and Helen built a lasting culture of humble servant leadership that left a mark on everyone privileged to serve alongside them.”
Amanda also treasures her experiences with YOKE. “I absolutely loved watching the kids have so much fun with the games, skits, and songs, knowing that this was their connection to people who truly cared about them and the message of Jesus,” she reflected. “YOKE had a huge influence in leading me to work with middle schoolers. So much of what I learned through YOKE carried over into my work at church for the last 25 years.”
Jeff later served as a YOKE board member, and he and Amanda continue to be financial partners in the ministry. “We have seen firsthand the difference this ministry makes in young people’s lives,” Jeff said. “YOKE maximizes every dollar invested to equip young people for ministry and leadership.”
Through their journey with YOKE, Jeff and Amanda have left a lasting legacy of service, leadership, and faith. Their story is a testament to the transformative power of investing in the next generation.