SUGAR LAND, TX, September 24, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Bishop Johnny A. Tates has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Bishop Tates has established a distinguished career marked by leadership, service and a commitment to community advancement. As a jurisdictional bishop for the Church of God in Christ Inc., he currently oversees more than 65 churches throughout Texas. His responsibilities include supporting pastors facing challenges, conducting hospital visits, providing counsel on matters ranging from faith to finance, and training congregants in financial stewardship and purposeful living. Bishop Tates is also dedicated to mentoring individuals, emphasizing the importance of having a purpose as a foundation for longevity and fulfillment.

Before his current role, Bishop Tates served as the bishop for the Texas Greater Southeast First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, where he continued his legacy of spiritual leadership and organizational oversight. From 2007 to 2017, he was the district superintendent for the Northeast Houston District, following over five years as an assistant district superintendent beginning in 2000. During these years, Bishop Tates played a pivotal role in guiding church operations and supporting clergy development.

Bishop Tates' pastoral journey began with Texas Southeast First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Church of God in Christ, where he provided spiritual guidance and fostered congregational growth. He also serves as the second pastor at Powerhouse COGIC in Houston, expanding his influence within the faith community, and as an assistant at Faith Temple COGIC at Englewood, Houston, dating back to 1986.

In parallel with his ecclesiastical duties, Bishop Tates built an accomplished career in public education administration. From 2000 to 2007, he was the deputy superintendent for administrative services at Alief Independent School District. However, his most impactful tenure was with the Houston Independent School District, which spanned nearly two decades between 1982 and 2000, where he rose to assistant and then deputy superintendent. Notably, from 1990 to 2000, Bishop Tates led the division of construction and auxiliary operations, managing a staff of 5,500 and overseeing a budget of $1.245 billion. He also supervised more than 7,000 employees between 1992 and 2000 and directed construction, maintenance and operations across the district's extensive transportation network of 1,200 bus routes. Bishop Tates worked closely with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education under President George Bush. He also served as vice-chair of the Houston City Council committee responsible for approving a $500 million water plant expansion on Houston's north side, a testament to his expertise in large-scale project management.

Bishop Tates' earlier career was in engineering. From 1970 to 1982, he served as a structural engineering designer for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation. He designed highway bridges for the Texas Highway Department and worked on major projects, such as the Dos Rios Wastewater Treatment Plant, San Antonio, Texas, the Veterans Administration Hospital, and several high-rise buildings, including the Five Star General Building in Tysons Corner, West Virginia and the Potomac. Between 1967 and 1970, Bishop Tates was engaged in petroleum research engineering for the Shell Oil Corporation off the coasts of Australia. His professional journey began as a trainee at Brown & Root Corp, where he gained foundational experience in municipal planning and public policy.

Bishop Tates' educational achievements have been instrumental in shaping his multifaceted career. After graduating from Kashmere High School, he received a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering technology from Texas Southern University in 1969. He also holds a Master of Arts in Secondary Education from TSU and Master of Science in municipal planning and public policy through the Bethlehem Steel Educational Extension Program, awarded in 1973, followed by a bachelor's degree in religious studies at C.H. Mason Bible College in 1978 and continuous studies from Moody Bible Institute School of Theology until 1979. Bishop Tates' credentials also include being ordained an elder in 1985 and appointed bishop in 2016, milestones that reflect both his theological acumen and dedication to ministry.

Civic engagement remains central in Bishop Tates' life. He has contributed to organizations such as the Houston Area Boy Scouts and has presided over The Wills Group Foundation since 2001. He has also served as the vice chair for the City of Houston Water Board, participated with Third Ward & Kashmere Gardens' Redevelopment Councils, supported the International "Be-an-Angel" Foundation and advised on the NAACP Advisory Council.

Bishop Tates's accomplishments have been recognized through numerous honors, including induction into the Hall of Fame at Texas Southern University in 1999 and Kashmere High School in 2013, and was recognized as the Most Attributable Scholar by the Hispanic Educational Association in Houston. He has also been named Designer of the Year and Operating Designer of the Year.

Bishop Tates credits his father as his greatest influence, a man whose resilience amid adversity helped shape his worldview. His father's experiences with racial discrimination during employment and military service instilled lessons about courage, perseverance and the value of education. These formative teachings inspired Bishop Tates's pursuit of higher learning and commitment to lifelong growth, principles that continue to guide his leadership today.

Looking ahead, Bishop Tates is focused on maintaining financial independence while instilling values of investment and contribution within his family. He hopes that those whose lives he has touched will remember him not only for professional achievements but also for fostering lasting change, encouraging others to give back generously and pursue their dreams with purpose.

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