Christian family with 19 kids, the Bates, have similar values, courting rules like the Duggars

The Bates Family Facebook

The Bates, an evangelical Christian family with 19 children, were the focus of a "Nightline Prime" documentary on Saturday.

ABC cameras followed the Tennessee family as they orchestrated the wedding of one of their ten daughters, Alyssa.

The family starred in the TLC reality show "United Bates of America" in 2012, and in a TLC special "The Bates Family: Baby Makes 19" the same year.

The Bates hold strict religious beliefs, and do not believe in family planning. Kelly and Gil's oldest child, Zach, is 25 years old, and their youngest, Jeb, is two and a half. In between are Michael, Erin, Lawson, Nathan, Alyssa, Tori, Trace, Carlin, Josie, Katie, Jackson, Warden, Isaiah, Addaliee, Ellie, Callie, and Judson.

Kelly has spent 23 of the last 25 years pregnant, and has had 14 home births without anesthesia. She has also had three miscarriages, and takes progesterone to decrease the risk of future complications.

"Although we just want to trust God, but at the same time, if there's already a life living, we don't want to deny medical help for a baby that's in trouble," she told ABC News.

The Bates also require their children's mates to be Christian, do not allow them to go on dates alone, and limit physical contact during the courtship period. The values are similar to their friends, the Duggar family of "19 Kids and Counting."

The Duggars also attended Alyssa's May wedding to John Webster, son of Florida Rep. Daniel Webster. Alyssa and John began dating over a year ago, and became engaged in January. About 600 people were invited to the wedding.

Two other Bates children – Zach and Erin – have gotten married, and Zach and his wife, Whitney, are expecting their first child. Michael is in a courtship with her boyfriend, Brandon Keilen, and looks forward to having a lot of children when she is married.

"Thankfully, praise the Lord, we agree, we both want a lot of kids, so, but if the Lord just gives us two, that's wonderful too," she said.

The Bates family has a large social media following, and their Facebook fan page has over 10,000 followers. The patriarch, Gil, is the pastor of Bible Baptist Church in Clinton, Tennessee.

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
What should Christians make of Tommy Robinson?
What should Christians make of Tommy Robinson?

In demanding that the likes of Robinson be banned from the Oxford Union, the clergy are in effect setting their own limit on freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

Christian woman persecuted by Iranian regime sentenced to 9 years in prison
Christian woman persecuted by Iranian regime sentenced to 9 years in prison

A Christian convert in Iran has been sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison on trumped-up charges linked to state security and anti-government activity.

John Lennox fears AI is making us lazy
John Lennox fears AI is making us lazy

Christian media leaders heard calls for courage, authenticity and discernment at the recent Revive 2026 conference.

Does the Church of England need to re-think its messaging?
Does the Church of England need to re-think its messaging?

If you look at the Church of England’s communications all that it ever seems to highlight is the good works that Christians do to improve the temporal well-being of their neighbours. It is right to highlight these things, but they are not the primary reason for the Church’s existence.