Superintendent Ronald D. Gates, Sr., a Project 21 ambassador, is a powerful and passionate preacher of the Gospel. He has been saved and serving the Lord for over 25 years and has been in pastoral ministry for over 17 years.
Supt. Gates serves as second administrative assistant to Bishop Patrick L. Wooden, Sr., of the NC Third Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction; as district superintendent of the Mountain-Metropolitan District; and as senior pastor of Greater Works COGIC.
Supt. Gates is a leader in his community and a strong conservative with valiant faith, principles, standards and values from the Holy Bible. He is the former chairman of the Eagles Wings Community Development Corporation and a former two-term president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance. He is actively involved in the community, whether leading, facilitating or being affiliated with discussions on reparations, domestic violence, or saving the lives of the unborn, to name a few.
As an entrepreneur, Supt. Gates believes in free market enterprise to stimulate creative capitalism.. He is the founder of the Be Healed in Jesus Name weekly radio prayer broadcast on WRES 100.7 FM and the cofounder of Gateway Christian College. He is the president of the Gateway Group of Asheville, a nonprofit organization focused on healthy parenting and families; the youth career-focused SCRUBS program; and the Youth Economic and Entrepreneurial Success Program (Y.E.E.S.). Additionally, he is co-owner with First Lady Shelly Gates of RSG & Associates, providing coaching, consulting, products and other services.
Supt. Gates is a Navy veteran, a published author and an addiction recovery coach. He believes the following four keys are essential for successful Christian living: faith, obedience, consistency, and perseverance. He is honored and humbled to serve the Lord in advancing His Kingdom, revealing His glory and equipping His people with the life-transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Supt. Gates is a 2003 honor graduate of Greater North Carolina COGIC Academy and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Education from Calvary Theological Seminary and a Doctorate in Christian Ministry.
Supt. Gates is a family man. For over 23 years he has been joyfully married to Evangelist Shelly Gates, who co-founded Greater Works COGIC with him in 2007. He has two sons, one daughter, a grandson and many other godchildren. His life is a testimony of the motto of Greater Works Church: God is not looking for great people, only people He can do great things through…and that means you!