Keith Gates brings more than 20 years of experience in Royal Ambassadors to his new role at national WMU as ministry consultant for Royal Ambassadors, Challengers and Youth on Mission.
In addition to running a law firm as an attorney in Louisiana, he also serves as a judge for the City Court of Winnfield and adjunct professor at Northwestern State University of Louisiana, where he teaches in the pre-law and paralegal studies program. Now he will also work part-time to advance missions discipleship through WMU on a national level.
“RAs changed my life as a camp staffer in the early 2000s,” Gates reflected. “Developing a better RA program, at least in my circle of influence, has been a passion since then.”
Shift in focus
Throughout his time in undergraduate studies and at law school, Gates worked for the Louisiana Baptist Convention in the RA program. As a professional, Gates said his focus shifted more to his local church RA program at First Baptist of Lafayette and then later at Goldonna Baptist Church, both in Louisiana, while still helping where he could on the state level.
Gates continues to work with the Louisiana Royal Ambassador Council, assisting in the planning of Louisiana RA Congress and other activities around the state, and is currently a member of First Baptist Church Winnfield.
‘Wealth of experience’
“We are excited for Keith to join our team,” said Joye Smith, affinity networks manager for national WMU.
“He brings a wealth of experience as an RA leader in the church as well as serving on the state RA leadership team in Louisiana,” she noted. “Keith has a vision for [the RA program] and in leading boys and students to grow in missions awareness and involvement.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Julie Walters and originally published by Woman’s Missionary Union.
