Hi my name is Gary Bates and it seems I've always been in Gospel music. I first sang with my Dad, Mom and Sister and then junior choir and adult choir. I sang with my first Quartet at the age of 14, The Chapel Keys.

At 19 I was drafted into the Army and spent the next 15 months of my tour in Vietnam. After returning home, I met my wife, Carol, and married in 1969. I sang solo for a while but eventually  started a new group called New Happiness Singers, we were together until 1979. 

For awhile I again did some solo work until starting a Group in 1996 called The Waymakers, we were together until 2005. Through much prayer and patience and some old friends we started Higher Ground in 2007 and we are loving it.                                                      Gary Bates

Throughout my life God has put me in places and around people that influenced my love for singing. My dad was a music director for years before surrendering to preach, the guys I hang around with in school picked and sang and my best friend in the Navy was a gospel singer/guitar picker. I'd sing anywhere I could, school choir, church choir and youth groups where I met my wife for the last 35 years,  Pat.

I've been fortunate enough to sing with a number of groups over the years but by far Higher Ground is where I've truly enjoyed every minute, even the grueling practice. I count it a privilege to be able to sing with old friends who have the same goals I do, (to make pretty music while presenting the love of Jesus our Lord and Savior and "have fun doing it.)

I fully hope to be singing with Higher Ground when the Lord calls me home to the "Highest Ground" of all, where I'll sing in the grandest choir of all. It's my prayer you'll be there to listen to the pretty music while thanking the Lord for making it all possible.

Mike Miller

Sometimes I think I was born singing! From pre-school through

college, I have been in numerous choirs, show choirs and musicals where I sang and played piano.  I hold a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering but I'd rather be singing.  My solo ministry launched in 1984 with my first church solo.  Since then I have been a part of numerous weddings, revivals and concerts.  Most of my ministry has been as a soloist, but I have traveled with other groups prior to joining Higher Ground.  In 1990 I joined the Bells from Muncie, IN and traveled throughout OH-IN-KY.  A few years later I was part of two local groups - Redemption's Song and Majestic Praise.  Throughout my career, I've appeared in concert with many artists, including The Isaacs, Mid-South, The Bishops, Squire Parsons, The Booth Brothers, Mercy's Mark, and the Dixie Melody Boys.  In addition to my job and singing with Higher Ground, I'm enrolled in American Sign Language classes.  Come to a concert and you might see me combining my two loves - singing and signing!

                                                                                                     Diane Wood

Diane Wood-Alto

Graduate of Steve Hurst School of Music

Nashville, TN.

Graduate of Steve Hurst School of Music

Nashville, TN.

Graduate of Steve Hurst School of Music

Nashville, TN.

Mike Miller - Baritone

Gary Bates - Lead

  Hi my name is Warren Gebhart, the newest memeber of Higher Ground. The world desperately needs to hear the Gospel and my desire is to make a real difference in peoples lives as we sing, praise and lift up the Lord Jesus Christ.

Through much encouragement, I began as the music director for Huber Heights Baptist Temple and soon felt called to preach. I went to Life Christian University for four years, and the week after I graduated I was asked to fill in as interim pastor of Honey Creek Christian Church and have been pastor ever since.

It is my jou and a privilege to preach and sing God's wonderful Word with Higher Ground. We all share the same desire to spread all the Gospel to all the world. May the Lord bless you and those you love.   Warren Gebhart   Psalms 66: 1 & 2

Graduate of Life Christian University

Warren Gebhart - Bass