John Bates An international speaker and teacher, John Bates is the lead pastor of Freedom Fellowship International in Waxahachie, Texas. He also serves on a variety of nonprofit boards. He has completed post-graduate studies at the University of Houston, Texas &M, and the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Shelli, and their children currently reside in Waxahachie, Texas. Read More Read Less