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Editorial: A pastor's reach felt past the pulpit
Bill Coates’ influence in community goes beyond his church congregation
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Dr.Bill Coates, senior pastor at First Baptist Church Gainesville, who is retiring after 20 years leading the church. Coates announced his retirement from the pulpit Sunday, Aug. 5, saying his last sermon would be Aug. 19.
It may be a bit overstated, and perhaps even burdensome, to consider any individual to be the conscience of a community. So rather than saddle the Rev. Bill Coates with that onerous title, let’s just say he has been one of the band leaders in the march toward a kinder, more loving world, alongside other church and community leaders in Gainesville and Hall County and often in front.