Pierce Yates

Pierce Yates serves as Good Samaritan’s Worship Director, overseeing the music ministry across both campus locations alongside worship leaders Joy Smiley and Melody Copeland. Born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, he earned a degree in Cello Performance with a minor in Religious Studies from the University of Lincoln. Shortly after graduating he moved to Las Vegas to pursue a career in teaching and performance. GoodSam hired him as a worship leader in late 2024, and he has since found his purpose in music ministry, team organization, and volunteer development.

Pierce mostly leads contemporary services but carries a heart for traditional music as well. He grew up a non-denominational Christian in a family deeply involved in church life, and he’s constantly rediscovering the songs that faithful worship leaders played at the churches of his childhood.

His leadership is collaborative by conviction. His philosophy centers on the part each member plays—musicians listening to one another to know when to play, what to play; to learn how to say with music what words cannot. He considers song and voice to be one of God’s great gifts, and sees a band’s collaboration as a reflection of how God’s people interlock and work together to bring others to His beauty, and to His Kingdom.

Outside of GoodSam, Pierce spends most of his time teaching and practicing. He lives with two cats who refuse to pay rent.