Saturday, October 27, 2012
Kelly Jo Turns 46
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Isaiah Turns 8
Friday, October 5, 2012
A New Phase of Life
We emba
rked upon an exciting new adventure with the blessings and encouragement of our dear pastor, Jack Gwinn. Pastor Gwinn has been such an incredible inspiration to us these past 4 years. He has a long legacy of faithful service as pastor. He has served in West Virginia and Peoria, Illinois through the years, but God knew we needed his example and leadership in Knoxville at Still Waters Baptist Church. His testimony and life example helped us step out of our comfort zone to plant a church close to our home.
rked upon an exciting new adventure with the blessings and encouragement of our dear pastor, Jack Gwinn. Pastor Gwinn has been such an incredible inspiration to us these past 4 years. He has a long legacy of faithful service as pastor. He has served in West Virginia and Peoria, Illinois through the years, but God knew we needed his example and leadership in Knoxville at Still Waters Baptist Church. His testimony and life example helped us step out of our comfort zone to plant a church close to our home.
About 18 years ago, Gil walked a little church aisle one Sunday morning when our first pastor, Mark Williams, preached a message: "Vessels of Honor." Gil told the Lord that morning that he would preach whenever the Lord opened the doors of opportunity. Gil has never asked to 
speak anywhere, but over the years on occasion God has allowed him to preach at various churches. In recent years, several families approached asking if God had been directing Gil to pastor a church. It's certainly easier to "attend" church, so we hid from the idea of such a huge responsibility and undertaking. Nonetheless, Gil began speaking to Pastor Gwinn about the tugging at his heart. God has a way of prompting and prodding us to do something that we are in no ways capable of doing on our own! Pastor Gwinn, with his typical exhorting mannerisms, said, "Boy, hurry up and get to work! And make sure you start the services on time! Don't be late!"
speak anywhere, but over the years on occasion God has allowed him to preach at various churches. In recent years, several families approached asking if God had been directing Gil to pastor a church. It's certainly easier to "attend" church, so we hid from the idea of such a huge responsibility and undertaking. Nonetheless, Gil began speaking to Pastor Gwinn about the tugging at his heart. God has a way of prompting and prodding us to do something that we are in no ways capable of doing on our own! Pastor Gwinn, with his typical exhorting mannerisms, said, "Boy, hurry up and get to work! And make sure you start the services on time! Don't be late!"
Three weeks ago, with the generous help of our loving Still Waters Baptist Church family we met at the brand new Bible Baptist Church for our very first service! We are temporarily meeting in the conference room of Holiday Inn Express in Clinton, Tn., but we know God has a wonderful future in store for us... through the mountain top experiences and through the valleys!
We've already seen His hand of provision in so many ways! Our Still Waters Church family and Pastor Gwinn donated our keyboard! Pastor Mike Samples of New Testament Baptist donated 100 hymnals! With mixed emotions of leaving our precious friends at Still Waters, we rejoice through our tears to see God faithfully walk us hand in hand, as little children, on this very new step of faith. 
Katie Turns 12
Today is Katie Bates 12th Birthday!Born on October 5th 2000,She is the 11th Child of Gil&Kelly Jo Bates!Happy Birthday Katie Grace Bates!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Judson Turns 2
Judson Wyatt Bates Born September 15th 2010 is The 18th Child of Gil&Kelly Bates.Judson Has 18 Other Siblings.Happy Birthday Judson Wyatt Bates!
Friday, September 7, 2012
Rain or Shine
God often puts a song in our hearts during times of joy... and also during times of sorrow... during the storms of life, or during the sunny days!
We recently rejoiced to discover we were expecting a new baby, but several weeks later, our joy turned to tears as a visit to the doctor showed that our little one had died around the 7th week.
We have experienced 3 other misscarriages, and each time we chose a name that would remind us of a hymn that we could sing during our times of sadness. (Jewels was named after the hymn, "Precious Jewels." Jubilee was named after the Scripture song, "This is the Year of Jubilee." Zion was named after thehymn, "We're Marching to Zion.")
We asked God to help us choose a fitting name for this little one, and at the same time to restore gladness to our hearts. We chose the name "Sunny" after the hymn "There is Sunshine in My Soul." The 4th verse says:
"There is gladness in my soul today, and hope and praise and love,
For blessings which He gives me now, for joys 'laid up' above."
He has chosen to give us 4 little joys "laid up" in Heaven, that one day we will see and know! Through tears and sorrow, we still sing, "There is Sunshine in My Soul!"
Some of our children sang "God wants to Hear You Sing," to remind us to turn to Him in both the good times and the bad.
Credit:Gil&Kelly Jo Bates
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Facebook Group
I Have Started a Fan Group for the Bates Family,Anybody is free to Join The Group! ~Emme
https://www.facebook.com/groups/300496016724666/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/300496016724666/
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