Dr. Howard L. Gates
Pastor
pastor@fbcfwb.org


Dr. Howard Gates, Senior Pastor and teacher of First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach since 1987, challenges his members to stand on God’s promises in today’s ever-changing world. Dr. Gates has a satisfying ministry as a servant of Christ which began when he accepted God’s call to full time ministry as a college freshman at the University of Texas (1968). He is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he received a Master of Divinity (1974) and a doctorate degree (1979).
During his many years of service to God’s Church, Dr. Gates served Driftwood Baptist in Driftwood, Texas; Manor Baptist in Manor, Texas; Harris Memorial Baptist in Austin, Texas; and First Baptist in Rosenberg, Texas. He has enjoyed preaching engagements at the Southern Baptist Pastor’s Conference. He also served as Member and Chairman of the Committee on Order of Business, Florida Baptist Convention. First Baptist is proud to know that he has also written Sunday School lesson commentaries in “The Florida Baptist Witness”. Currently, Dr. Gates is a trustee of the Baptist College of Florida which is located in Graceville, Florida.

Dr. Gates and his wife, Janelle, married in 2005 during an Evening Worship Service at First Baptist Church. Janelle enjoys accompanying the pastor on his hospital visits and she serves as a great support to her husband’s ministry at First Baptist Church. Dr. Gates has two children, Stephanie (23) and Matthew (20).

Dr. Gates’ favorite Bible verse is one that may be loved by a child…“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”. - Matthew 6:33