Father Choate became the Rector of the Church of Saint Joseph of Arimathea in April 2010. He is a native of Meridian, Mississippi and is married to the Reverend Yamily Bass-Choate, who is the Vicar of Iglesia San Andres in Yonkers, NY. They have two children: Diana and Myriam.

The University of Mississippi graduated him in 1973 with a bachelor's degree in history. General Theological Seminary, in NYC, graduated him in 1998 with a master's degree in divinity. Before attending seminary he received a Education for Ministry certificate, after completing the four year program.

Father Choate has served a variety of churches throughout the Diocese of New York and the Diocese of Mississippi. He has also been involved in special missions: Medical Mission to Panama and Honduras, Friends of Darbonne in Haiti and the Lutheran-Episcopal Disaster Relief Program.

In addition to his duties at Saint Joseph's, he is active outside the congregation as well. He serves on the Diocese of New York, Critical Needs Committee. He is a member of the Interfaith Committee that is composed of churches in the area. He is the Chaplain for Province II, Order of Daughters of the King, and Chaplain for the New York Diocese, Cursillo.