Tra Willbanks graduated with a BBA in accounting from Abilene Christian University and worked as an auditor at Arthur Andersen. He now serves as the founder and CEO of Anchor Investments, a management company that oversees a family of manufacturing companies specializing in heavy and light metal fabrication. Since 2014, Tra has also served as an elder at Gateway Church.

By God’s grace, Tra grew up in a family where his parents taught him about Jesus and His salvation plan. At the age of 12, he surrendered his life to Jesus. Then in 2004, his walk with the Lord deepened to an entirely new level when facing some very serious health challenges. The Father graciously used these circumstances to open his heart to the Holy Spirit, which subsequently led him to Gateway Church in 2006. In 2009, he received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. These events have made all the difference in his life, and he is so grateful for the Lord’s goodness as evidenced by His marvelous grace and mercy in Jesus.

He and his wife, Shelley, met in college and have been married since 2001. They live in Keller, with their seven children.