Background
Bates, Gerald Earl was born on September 12, 1933 in Caldwell, Ohio, United States. Son of Earl and Lillian Inez (Merritt) Bates.
Bates, Gerald Earl was born on September 12, 1933 in Caldwell, Ohio, United States. Son of Earl and Lillian Inez (Merritt) Bates.
Associate of Arts, Spring Arbor College, 1953. AB, Greenville College, 1955. Doctor of Divinity (honorary), Greenville College, 1998.
Master of Divinity, Asbury Theological Seminary, 1958. Master of Theology, Western Theological Seminary, 1964. Doctor of Philosophy, Michigan State University, 1975.
Doctor of Divinity (honorary), Roberts Wesleyan College, 1986.
Missionary with General Missionary Board, Free Methodist Church of North America, Winona Lake, Indiana, 1957-1985; area administrative assistant for Center Africa, Free Methodist Church of North America, 1973-1985; bishop, Free Methodist Church of North America, Indianapolis, since 1985.
(1993 LIGHT AND LIFE PRESS SOFTCOVER)
Trustee Control College, Kansas, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky, Spring Arbor College, Michigan. Chairman., board directors Free Methodist Church of North America, King Trust N.A. Board directors India Missionary Training Board, Wesley International Bible Seminary, Nigeria, J. Wesley Bible Institute, Budapest, Hungary, Free Meth.Found., Free Methodist Foundation.
President Free Methodist World Fellowship, 1989-1995. Member county World Methodist Council. Member Phi Kappa Phi.
Married Marlene Rachel Parsons, August 21, 1954. Children: David Earl, William Randall, Elizabeth Annual.