Dr. Yancey is a native of Memphis, TN. His education includes the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Religion and History from the Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, AR; the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from the Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, Memphis, TN; the Master of Theology (Th.M.) from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY; and the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) from the Erskine Theological Seminary, Due West, SC. He served churches and on church staffs in Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Mississippi. He served as an active duty U. S. Army Chaplain, and retired from active duty in 2000.

From 2000 to 2007, he was the pastor of the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Augusta, GA. From 2008 to 2012, he was the pastor of the Bethel Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Olive Branch, MS. He served as the Interim Pastor of the Batesville Presbyterian Church in Batesville, MS from 2013 to December 2014.

Dr. Yancey taught as an adjunct instructor in Ethics and Philosophy for the Vincennes University, Vincennes, IN, and lectured in Ethics for other graduate institutions, seminars, and workshops. He served as an Adjunct Professor of Ethics at the Erskine Theological Seminary, Due West, SC, the graduate theological institution of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He served for 8 years as a PCUSA representative on the Presbyterian Council for Chaplains and Military Personnel (PCCMP). He is a past Moderator of the Commission on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) in the Presbytery of St. Andrew. Currently, he is the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Umatilla, FL in the Central Florida Presbytery, PCUSA.

Dr. Yancey is married to Terry, and they are parents of 2 adult sons and an adult daughter. They reside in Eustis, Florida.