Liberty Baptist Church

Ever hear of a pastor who used to be a bartender and drug addict? That’s the story of Pastor Burton Gates of Liberty Baptist Church. He founded Liberty Baptist Church in June 2009. Before finding his faith, he lived a very different life in El Dorado, Arkansas. Two teenagers knocked on his door and invited him to Bible Baptist Church. It took a few visits, but Pastor Gates was saved in 2002. Inspired by his pastor, J.D. Weido, he went to Bible college. There he met and married his wife, Cara. During his second year, he felt a call to the Northeast. Philadelphia became the city he felt drawn to. After graduating in 2008, he and his family traveled the country, raising support to start a church in Philly. A pastor friend told him about a church for sale in a rough part of the inner city, Kensington. Initially hesitant, Pastor Gates followed what he believed was God’s will. Liberty Baptist Church held its first service on June 28, 2009, right in the heart of Kensington. The church began to see lives changed. This part of Philadelphia proved to be a place where people were searching for something more. Liberty Baptist Church and Pastor Gates work to spread the gospel in this community. Pastor Gates also aims to start more ministries at Liberty Baptist Church and more churches throughout Philadelphia. He and his wife have three children: Dale, Caelyn, and Amelia. The Assistant Pastor, Juan (J.R.) Algarin, has a compelling story too. He grew up in Camden, New Jersey with a single mother and six siblings. In 1998, bus workers from Gospel Light Baptist Church invited him to church. His mother insisted he go. At twelve years old, he accepted Christ. The pastor there, who later became Pastor Gates’ father-in-law, mentored J.R.. He met his wife, Lisa, at Gospel Light Baptist Church. J.R. graduated from Baptist College with a degree in Youth Ministry and worked with Pastor Gates at Pine Bluff Baptist Church. He then felt called to help Pastor Gates start Liberty Baptist Church. He has served as Children’s Church Pastor, Bus Captain, and Assistant Pastor. Lisa serves as the Church Financial Secretary. They have three children: Seth, Jocelyn, and Elias. Liberty Baptist Church offers a range of ministries. These include a bus ministry, Super Church for children, a nursery, a deaf ministry with ASL interpretation, and world missions support. They even started a school, Liberty Baptist Academy. Pastor Gates and Liberty Baptist Church also started another church, Bible Baptist Church, nearby.