Curtis A. Cates was born in Phoenix City, Alabama, to Curtis C. and Margaret A. Cates. His father is a gospel preacher of more than fifty years, in South Alabama and Northwest Florida.

Curtis A. Cates was graduated from Alabama Christian High School; Alabama Christian College (now Faulkner University) A.A., B.S.; Livingston University, B.S.; Samford University, M.S.; and Southern Christian University, M.R.E., M. Th.; and earned the doctorate of education from the University of Alabama. He did further graduate study in Abilene Christian University.

Brother Cates married Annette Bingham on October 29, 1960. They have two children, Curtis A. (Andy), Jr. (a student of the Memphis School of Preaching), who is married to the former Michelle Cichetto, and Daniel F. (a 1992 graduate of Memphis School of Preaching) who is married to the former Michelle Lea Jones. They also have two grandchildren, Maggie Louise Cates and Curtis A. Cates III (Trey). Annette is a college librarian and has written various articles, taught library orientation to incoming Memphis School of Preaching students, and authored the "Spiritual Sword Fifteen Year Index."

Brother Cates delivered his first sermon at the Founder's Day Oratorical Contest of Southern Christian University, May, 1958, and began regular preaching in January, 1960, in Saville, Alabama. During forty years of preaching he has preached full-time in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia as well as gospel meetings in numerous states, Klang, Malaysia, and Murmansk, Russia, where he taught Bible and Christian evidences. He frequently appears on major lectureships and spoke on the Second Annual Asian Lectureships, Singapore, October, 1986. He also conducts lectureships on Christian evidences, leadership, religious education, Job, etc.

For thirty years, Curtis A. Cates has been training gospel preachers. He was a professor for three years at Faulkner University; Dean of the College, Columbia Christian College, Portland, Oregon, and served as professor and Academic Vice President of Southern Christian University for twelve years. He has served as Director of Memphis School of Preaching since 1982 and continues to be an adjunct professor at Southern Christian University.

His years of training gospel preachers and church leaders through the extensions of Southern Christian University carried him to teach in thirty cities in ten states. His undergraduate and graduate classes were attended by more than 1,000 preachers, Bible class teachers, and elders.

Brother Cates is President of the board of The Gospel Journal, and is co-editor of the Yokefellow. He directs the Memphis School of Preaching lectureship and edits the book. He is author of The Noahic Flood: Science and the World That Was (printed in Russian and English); Worship: Heaven's Imperative or Man's Innovation?, The "Core/Bull's Eye Gospel" Concept Refuted; The A.D. 70 Theology, A Religion that Overthrows the Faith and Undermines the Hope of Men; A Comprehensive Study of Unity; and Does the Holy Spirit Operate Directly Upon the Heart of a Saint? A Review of Calvinism among the Lord's People. He has also been a contributor to countless lectureship books and brotherhood periodicals. He has taught virtually all Old and New Testament books, Christian Evidences, Hermeneutics, Biblical Archaeology, Denominational Dogmas, in addition to other college disciplines such as Science, English, and Education.