About
Scott Bates-Minister
I am Scott Bates. I have held many titles and been called many names over my lifetime. None of those titles or names have been more precious to me than that of being a child of God and a follower of Jesus.
I am married with 8 children. We have 4 that are still in our home. I am a disabled Veteran, having served 10 years in the US Army with 2 combat tours. I was in Iraq in 2003-2004 and Afghanistan in 2008-2009. My life experience has been one of trials and temptation much like anyone else. I was raised in a Christian home by loving and godly parents. My father was an evangelist and pastor for many years.
As the Lord called me into the ministry, I began to seek my education through Christian Leaders Institute, and I am now licensed and ordained through CLI. I have served the church in a variety of areas from custodial services to Deacon, audio-video to playing instruments on the Praise & Worship team. I still serve as a Deacon in our local church and minister in our House Fellowship as well as a bible study leader.
Early Ministry Experience
Called Out is the product of God's calling on my life for several years. I would venture to say that the journey began back in 2011 while I was still in college. While attending Mineral Area College, I felt the Lord calling me to begin a college campus ministry. I had no idea what to do or where to even start.
After some discussion with my pastor, he put me in contact with another individual that was a youth pastor in a nearby town that had also felt the calling to begin a college campus ministry. After several phone calls, we stepped out and formed Chi Alpha MAC. I began to hold weekly bible studies at the Fredericktown campus in 2012 until I transferred to Southeast Missouri State University.
All through college I taught Sunday School and helped in the church wherever there was a need. Once I finished college I was voted in as a Deacon at our local church where I continue to serve.
Continuing to grow
As I continued to serve as a Deacon, I began to feel a calling to something more. I continued to serve the church in Sunday School, Praise & Worship, and with the audio-visual aspects of ministry. These were all good things, but I felt like God had more for me.
As I continued to serve, I felt like God was calling me to get a better education in the ministerial arena. As I began to look at different schools of ministry, it became clear to me that I would not be able to afford to attend college financially and I was working a full-time job.
Even though I knew financing and time would be an issue, I didn't give up the search for a place to get a good formal education. This led me to the Christian Leaders Institute. It is a free online college for those wanting to step into the ministry.
Stepping Out
In January 2024, I really felt the calling to step out into the ministry. The confirmation came from several people that didn't know me as well as a few that did. All of them referring to me as a "pastor", "preacher", or "minister". At that point I began to accept the calling that God was moving me into.
In February I happened to stop in at a local homeless shelter and was soon invited to lead their weekly bible study. To which I humbly accepted. This began to give me experience loving people that I didn't know and talking to people that were "unchurched". Let me say here that I have met some very interesting but wonderful people that know what it means to appreciate the small things.
Organizing
During this time and the months to follow, the Lord began to birth Called Out within my spirit. He began by giving me a vision of where to start and how to organize an early morning bible study for those that really wanted more.
As He began to birth this within me, the Lord began by telling me a time and date... Saturday mornings at 6:00am. Why does it have to be so early? Well, because the Lord wanted those that were serious about learning and being intimate with God. These are the ones that want real growth and have commitment.
This was then followed by the location and a couple of people that I needed to contact. We began to meet in May of 2024 with just a few of us. Although we haven't had much growth in number, I have been able to watch those that attend, me included, grow in the Lord.
House Gathering
As we continued to gather on Saturdays, and I continued my education with CLI. I became licensed and ordained as a minister through Christian Leaders Institute. As I was continuing my education, God began to lead me down a path of House Gatherings.
I took the time to seek council from my parents as well as my pastor about this decision as well as saturating it with prayer. After much discussion with my wife and kids, we began to do weekly House Gatherings in our home on Monday evenings.
We meet each week at 6:00pm. The evening begins with a potluck dinner, sometimes we have themed dinners. We spend about an hour eating and socializing. It is important to be able to live life together and have time to share what the Lord is doing in each of our lives.
This is followed with a bible study lesson that lasts for about 45 minutes. We encourage participation and questions during each study. This allows each person to learn from the others that are present. After the bible study, we dismiss and are usually done by 8:00pm.
Minister Support
Due to my military service, I have been deemed a Disabled Veteran. This label is a blessing when it comes to doing ministry. Being disabled mean that I do not have to draw a salary from the ministry. I can do it because I love doing it. It also means that I can minister without the distraction of losing money or additional financial strain.
God has also given me a gift of writing and teaching. The various books that are for sale have been written by me so that is a way that I help supplement a little income. It certainly won't make me rich, but a few dollars here and there means that I have a few extra dollars to minister with.
It is biblical for the church to support the minister, but it is also biblical for the minister to support himself and not be a burden on the church. God has promised that he will never leave us or forsake us. He may not provide everything we want but He is faithful to provide all of our needs.