Preachers’ kids often get a bad rap!  I was not one of those PK’s. My dad was a United Methodist Minister.  I was born in Alexandria, but spent my mid-high and high school years in Springhill, La. After college, I taught school for 20 years and then one day felt God’s calling to go into Children’s Ministry.  I was not certain what that exactly looked like, but I answered the call. I was hired as Children’s Director at First UMC Bossier and gave up the chalk dust and grading papers by retiring in 2000.  Before I retired I was hired by Dr. Day at First Methodist Church, Shreveport in 1999 as the Children’s Director and have been here ever since.  

A few years ago I wrote a proposal asking to begin a ministry for children with special needs.  It was accepted and at that time I became Director of Nursery, Preschool, and Special Needs Ministries.  Having a passion for Special Education, I wanted our church to reach children with disabilities and their families in our area.  A team was formed and soon the GEMs (God’s Exceptional Miracles) Ministry was begun.  My real joy comes from serving the Lord and sharing in the lives of small children.  My desire is that children allow Jesus to walk beside them all their precious lives.   

email: btate@firstshreveport.com

phone: 318.424.7771 ext. 117