BIO

Melissa Bates is a Spirit Store Assistant at GCA. Melissa was born and raised in Southern California and received her bachelor's degree in communication studies and a teaching credential at Azusa Pacific University. After just a few years of teaching middle school, Melissa stepped into her highest calling of being a stay-at-home mom. They have 5 amazing children, Joshua, Caleb and Sydney (daughter-in-law), Gracie, Noah, and an adorable grandson, Carter. Melissa and her husband, Terrence, moved their family to Murfreesboro in August 2020, and I absolutely love living in Tennessee! Their youngest son, Noah, began attending GCA in his freshman year of high school. Melissa enjoys being on campus, getting to know students, and serving families in the Spirit Store.

On the weekend, you can find Melissa watching Noah play soccer or spending time with family. One of her favorite Bible verses is Ephesians 3:20, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us..."