Ken Tate, Minister

 

Ken Tate was born in 1952 in Branson, Mo. Raised in the Ozark Mountains of rural southwest Missouri where Ken enjoyed a stable young life, living in the same home until his marriage in 1974.

 

Ken began listening to The World Tomorrow broadcast produced by the Worldwide Church of God in 1970, when he was 17 years old. He was touched by the plain, straightforward “don’t believe me, believe your Bible” approach of the program. He was called into the Truth of God in 1973 through contact with Harold and Inez Barnes (who would later become his father- and mother-in-law) and their beautiful daughter, Janice, who became Ken’s wife in 1974.

 

Ken began ministering to congregations of the Worldwide Church of God in 1978, first as song leader and youth leader and as an assistant in two congregations in north Arkansas.

 

After receiving a bachelor’s degree in journalism from College of the Ozarks in 1975, Ken knew his education was not complete. He attended Ambassador College, earning a second bachelor’s degree in theology in 1986. At the same time, he earned a master’s degree in mass communications at the University of Texas at Tyler, He also taught and assisted in the journalism, speech and theology departments at Ambassador College until 1988.

 

From 1986 to 1988, Ken and Janice watched as new leaders of the WCG abandoned the clear teachings of scripture. Ken and Janice decided they must continue to follow scripture: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” Returning to their home in Arkansas in 1988, they have ministered to independent Churches of God from 1989 to today. Presently, Ken pastors the Harrison, Ark., Church of God Fellowship congregation, while assisting in congregations in Mountain View and Russellville, Ark.

 

Ken and Janice enjoy three children and a wonderful daughter-in-law.

 

Besides helping to accomplish the Great Commission given by Jesus Christ to His Church, Ken’s passion is music. He brings uplifting special music to congregations regionally as often as possible while fulfilling his calling as a minister of Jesus Christ.

 

“I just want to serve God and His people as long as He gives me breath, strength and inspiration,” Ken says. “To Him be the glory, not any man, church or organization.”