Meet Our People

Rev. Harold E. Bates Sr. MS, MAC, LADAC II

Founder

Bio: Minister Bates has been a part of the church all of his life. He has been the minister of music at Welsey C.M.E. church for 35 years. He has a BA degree in psycholgy a Master's Degree in counseling, has a national certification as a addictions counselor and is licensed by the State of Tennessee as an addiction counselor. He has a Master's Degree in counseling in Addictions studies from Capella University. He is currently enrolled in the Doctoral program at Grand Canyon University. He accepted his calling  6 years ago and is ordained to preach and teach the Word of  God. He is a lifelong Memphian and has witnessed the negligence and despair within our own communities, founded Get Recovered Ministries to make Memphis a better place. He currently works as a treatment manager  He has over 30 years experience of working with individuals who suffer from the disease of addiction and co-ocurring disorders. While at Whitehaven Southwest Mental Health Center he helped develop "Positive Connections Recovery Services." He assisted the State of Tennessee in training ministers on how they should help members of their communities in accessing treatment services. He and Evangelist Bates have been married for  37 years. They have four children, Aubra ,Harold Jr. Crystal (by marriage)& Oran  (nephew) all of Memphis, Tennessee. They have 5 grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Evangelist Phyllis E. Bates

Co-founder

Bio: She is a life long Memphian who has been involved with the church all of her life. She is the daughter of the late Lunsford and Mary Johnson who were the pillars of Mt. Pisgah CME church's gospel choir. She regularly attended the Gospel Music Worshop of America conference on a regular basis. She works in the field of HIV/AIDs at Friend For Life and has helped countless individuals find temporary and permanent housing for those suffering from this dreadful disease. She is and avid bible scholar being active in her church's prayer groups and church choir. She has an active role in the planning of Get Recovered Ministries and its impact and vision in the community.

Elder W.L. Bates

Senior Advisors to the Ministers

Bio: Rev. W.L. Bates has been a minister for 55 years. He accepted his calling into the ministry in 1958 in the Baptist church. About a year after preaching his first sermon he moved to the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church when he joined Pillow Street C.M.E. church. His first appointment was Johnson Chapel C.M.E. church. He retired from Pillow Street C.M.E. church following a succesful career in the denomination. He married the late Evelyn Juanita Pye and had five sons. Rev. Thomas Bates, Rev. Harold Bates Sr., Clifton Bates, Vernon Bates, and Brian Bates. His most famous sermon "Do Your Work" has been how he approached his ministry. He is proud of the fact that he got along well with all of the churches he has had the privilege to pastor. In 1999, he ran unsuccessfully for a position in the Shelby county government so the incumbent would not run unapposed. He is a veteran of World War II. He has been instrumental in helping many young ministers get their careers started in the church and is still advising many of them even today when they call. He now sets his sites on helping Get Recovered Ministries started as he will be the chief advisor to the ministers. He will also head the ministers training classes at the church for those seeking to be ordained. He is truly a blessing to the community.