EDITOR’S NOTE (Updated May 5, 2026):
The Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries released a letter Monday (May 4), detailing the connection of its leadership to the April 16th hunting accident that resulted in the death of Missouri Baptist Children’s Home President Juston Gates.
The complete letter can be accessed here.
Originally posted April 24, 2026
The Missouri Baptist Children’s Home announced April 23 that its president, Juston Gates, passed away the evening before due to injuries from a recent hunting accident. He was 47.
‘Heavy heart’
The MBCH released the following statement this morning:
“It is with a heavy heart and great sense of loss that we announce the passing of our brother in Christ, devoted father, beloved pastor, and President of MBCH, Dr. Juston Gates. Dr. Gates was recently hospitalized for injuries sustained on a business-related hunting trip, and he eventually succumbed to those injuries on April 23, 2026 at 12:02am.
“Dr. Gates went to be with the Lord with his family standing by his side. He was well known for his love of and obedient service to Jesus Christ. He had a deep love for his family, both his family at home as well as his MBCH family. Dr. Gates will be greatly missed by all those who knew him, and we continue to welcome prayers for his family and friends, as well as for MBCH leadership as we mourn this great loss.”
Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Director Wes Fowler told The Pathway, “He was a man of sincere faith, a man of genuine prayer, and a servant of all,” Fowler said. “He will be dearly missed by Missouri Baptists.”
Background
Gates began his tenure as MBCH president in May of 2024. Previously, he pastored churches in Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas since 2000, and in Missouri since 2012.
Prior to entering the pastorate, Gates worked law enforcement with police departments in Memphis, Tennessee, Tupelo, Mississippi, and Allen, Texas, while also serving as a federal agent with the United States Border Patrol. He was a graduate of both Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned his M.Div., and Luther Rice Seminary, where he earned his D.Min. He has also previously served on the executive board of the Missouri Baptist Convention.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This report was originally published by the Missouri Baptist Pathway.
