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Dr. Patrick O. Cate is Ambassador at Large and President Emeritus of Christar (formerly International Missions, Inc.) where he serves as a preacher, teacher, and missionary specializing in the Muslim Faith. He received his B.A. from Wheaton College, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Hartford Seminary Foundation. He also did graduate work at the Near East School of Archaeology in Jerusalem and Jordan.

At International Missions, Dr. Cate traveled to over 60 countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe achieving his lifelong mission of planting churches among the least-reached Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, and Asian communities worldwide. From 1980–1984, Dr. Cate was Christar’s Vice-President for Personnel before becoming the head of the ministry. As President (1989–2005), Dr. Cate oversaw one of the most influential, global Christian ministry networks, while coordinating the organization’s work in 25 countries. Today he remains active as Ambassador at Large and President Emeritus (2005–current) while teaching extensive evangelism in Brazil, Paraguay, and Spain. Following his undergraduate work, Dr. Cate worked for over 10 years at Southwestern College in Nashville, TN, where he coordinated the sale of Bibles. His heart, however, lay with the nations and he turned his focus toward missions. However, during his times on furlough and then as an administrator for Christar, he was involved with higher academia serving as a lecturer or professor at various schools across the globe including Capitol Bible Seminary, Columbia International University, Dallas Theological Seminary, Wheaton College and Graduate School, and the Yan Fook Seminary in Hong Kong.

It is as a missionary, however, that Dr. Cate has excelled. He has personally planted churches throughout the United States and abroad, while using his as a teacher and preacher to train future leaders. While visiting and working in countries all over the globe through the decades, Dr. Cate spent over four years in Iran (1974–1979) mastering the Persian language and an additional five in Egypt (1984–1989) where he mastered the Arabic language. His unique gifting in linguistics and cross-cultural communication has helped him train and disciple leaders including members of Campus Crusade and the Word of Life Bible Institute. Currently, he and his wife actively serve Muslims across the United States as well as working with communities in Spain, Brazil, and Paraguay. He is considered an expert in pre-evangelism, prayer filled strategizing, and relationally oriented outreach.

Dr. Cate has written several training manuals, tracts, and articles including “Gospel Communication from Within” and “The Other Islam: Who Are the Shia?” In addition, he has penned various works including Through God’s Eyes: A Bible Study of God’s Motivations for Missions by William Carey Publishers.