My name is Dennis Gates, and I am honored to serve as the pastor of West Bethany Free Methodist Church in Leoti, Kansas. I am gratefull for the opportunity God has given me to serve Him and to become part of this church family and the surrounding commuinity.

I have been involved in ministry for several years, and my desire is to faithfully share the Word of God, encourage people in the their walk with Jesus Christ, and help others experience the hope and love that only He can provide. I believe the church should be a place where people feel welcome, where God's Word is taught faithfully, and where we can grow together in our faith while reaching out to those around us.

Family is an important part of my life. My wife and I have been married for 31 years, and we are blessed with two daughters and four grandchildren. I also come from a large family, with five brothers and four sisters, which has given me a deep appreciation for the importance of family and relationships.

As I begin this new chapter of ministry at West Bethany, my prayer is that we weill grow together in our relationship with the Lord, support one another through life's challenges, and share the love of Jesus Christ with our commuinity. I believe ministry is about more than preaching on Sunday morning. It is about building relationships, listening to people, serving where there is a need, and pointing others toward Christ in our everyday lives.

I look forward to getting to know the people of West Bethany and the Leoti community. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve alongside this congregation, and I look forward to seeing what God has in store for us as we follow him together.