Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Gates.
Hi Andrea, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a native of Birmingham, Alabama. I grew up on the outskirts in a city called Adamsville in a neighborhood called Glasgow Hollow. I was raised by my grandparents (Andy & Ethel Speight) after the sudden death of my mother when I was just six months old and she was 24 years old. My grandparents were instrumental in instilling a love for God in me as a young child. It was required in my home to go to church and to actively participate. After graduating from high school, I pursued my cosmetology career and was a managing cosmetologist and salon owner for over 25 years. After retiring at the age of 40, I went back to school and earned my BA in Mass Communications from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and a MA in Communications with a concentration in Organizational Leadership from The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa (UA). I have an undying passion to teach leaders and women who are called to greatness.
I founded Andrea Gates Ministries (AGM) and Gods Daughters Inc., a 501c3 non-profit that serves women and girls in every area (physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially). Along with my late husband, Elder Anthony Gates Sr., we founded The Purpose Church (TPC), located in Pleasant Grove, Alabama in 2018. I am a five-time author, conference speaker, businesswoman, pastor, and destiny pusher. My ultimate goal is to see others walk in the purpose that they were created for.
I have experienced great loss in my life, with the death of both of my siblings, my grandparents, my mentor, my mother and father-in-law, and my amazing husband. Despite that, I persevered, and I am determined to live out my destiny. I am the mother of two sons, Chris an honors graduate from Howard University in D.C., who is presently pursuing his master’s at Georgetown University and my bonus son AJ, who is a talented student-athlete in his senior year at The University of Alabama at Birmingham,
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. Often, we push others to pursue purpose, but we don’t include the pain of it. Truly walking in your purpose will cost you EVERYTHING. As I said before, I have suffered major loss. Most of the people I love and my immediate family has transitioned, not being able to share in some of my greatest successes. I always dreamed of doing great things with the intent of taking care of my family. However, most of them are gone. Now I no longer pursue purpose for them, but I do so because of them. I understand the fragility of life and the importance of moments and memories. Pain has birthed a new life perspective in me. I now know more than ever what’s important and relevant as it relates to living each day as if it was my last. I am more determined than ever to LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL. In this, I have also experienced a painful divorce in my first marriage, great rejection, and very little support from those whom I have walked with through the darkest periods of their lives. However, I hold no grudges or resentment. I will not ever allow what someone else does or has done to change who I am. I am a giver at heart, a lover of people, and a true servant. That won’t change. It’s my life mission.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Professionally, I am a private consultant, who teaches leaders in every aspect, corporately and in ministry. I am a full-time pastor and real estate agent. My mission is to be instrumental in changing lives. Real Estate is not just a job for me, but a passion to see families become homeowners. There is literally no place like home. Our objective is creating owners, which gives you the greater chance of creating generational wealth.
What matters most to you? Why?
Purpose. Everything in life revolves around purpose. When someone discovers the reason why they exist, life becomes a real journey. Purpose gives you a motive to live. In purpose, you understand that what you do individually affects generations to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.andreagatesministries.com
- Instagram: @andrealynngates
- Facebook: @Andrea Gates Ministries
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreagates76/
Image Credits
Photos by: Danny Austin Photography of Birmingham, Alabama
