Charles Edward Blake Sr. facts for kids

Styles of Charles Edward Blake Sr.
Reference style	His Grace The Most Reverend
Spoken style	Your Grace
Religious style	Bishop

Charles Edward Blake Sr. (born August 5, 1940) is an American minister and retired pastor. He was the main leader, called the Presiding Bishop, of the Church of God in Christ. This is a large Christian group with millions of members.

Bishop Blake led the church from 2007 to 2021. He was first chosen as Presiding Bishop in March 2007. He was re-elected several times, serving four-year terms. In October 2020, he announced he would retire. He officially stepped down in March 2021.

About Charles Blake's Early Life

Charles Blake was born on August 5, 1940, in Little Rock, Arkansas. His parents were Bishop Junious Augustus Blake Sr. and Evangelist Lula M. Blake. His older brother, J. A. Blake Jr., also became a bishop.

Charles became a Christian when he was young. His family moved to Los Angeles, California, when he was in his twenties. His father became a bishop there.

Becoming a Pastor

In 1969, Charles Blake was asked to become the pastor of the West Angeles Church of God in Christ. He officially started leading the church in 1970. Around that time, he married Mae Lawrence Blake. They had three children: Charles Jr., Lawrence, and Kimberly.

Bishop Blake was the pastor of West Angeles Church of God in Christ until 2022. It is one of the largest African-American churches in the Western United States. When he started, the church had only 50 members. It grew to have over 24,000 members.

Leadership and Influence

In 1982, Ebony magazine named Bishop Blake one of the "Greatest Preachers in America." Since 2007, Ebony has often listed him as one of the most influential African Americans. He also wrote articles for magazines like Ebony and Christianity Today. These articles talked about how important the Black Church is in American society.

In 1984, he became a bishop for the Church of God in Christ in Southern California. He held this role until 2009. He then focused fully on his duties as the Presiding Bishop. From 1988 to 2021, he was also a member of the General Board. This board includes the twelve main leaders of the Church of God in Christ.

Supporting Education

Bishop Blake strongly believes in education. He has many degrees from different schools. For example, Biola University gave him an honorary doctorate degree in 2010.

Helping Children in Africa

Between 2009 and 2011, Bishop Blake started the Pan African Children's Fund (PACF). This was to help with the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa. One of its programs, Save Africa's Children, helps over 220 charity missions and orphanages in Africa.

He has also served on the boards of several important educational and religious organizations. These include the Interdenominational Theological Center and Oral Roberts University.

Community and National Recognition

Bishop Blake has received many awards for his work. He was given the Salvation Army's William Booth Award. He also received the Greenlining Institute's Big Heart Award. In 2000, he got the L.A. Urban League's Whitney M. Young Award.

In 2009, he was part of Barack Obama's advisory council. This council helped with faith-based and neighborhood partnerships. In 2016, he became a co-chairperson for a leadership council of Pentecostal and Charismatic churches in North America.

Retirement and Legacy

Bishop Blake retired as Presiding Bishop on March 19, 2021. Bishop J. Drew Sheard Sr. took over his role the next day.

In April 2022, Bishop Blake announced that he had been dealing with Parkinson's disease for ten years. He also said he would retire as the senior pastor of West Angeles Church of God in Christ. His sons, Charles Jr. and Lawrence Blake, took over many of his duties.

He explained that he would still be involved with the church. He would worship with the members and offer counseling and prayer. He said he was "semi-retired" and would continue to serve the Lord. His sons officially became the senior pastor and assistant pastor in October 2022. In August 2024, his younger son, Lawrence Blake, became the senior pastor of the Palm Lane Church of God in Christ.