Charles Edward Blake Sr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Grace the Most Reverend Charles Edward Blake, Sr. |
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| Presiding Bishop Emeritus | |
| Archdiocese | Los Angeles |
| Diocese | Church of God in Christ, Global |
| Elected | April, 2007, November 2008, November 2012, November 2016 |
| Enthroned | January 21, 2008 |
| Reign ended | March 20, 2021 |
| Predecessor | Gilbert E. Patterson |
| Successor | John Drew Sheard, Sr. |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | August 1962 |
| Consecration | November 1985 by James Oglethorpe Patterson Sr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 5, 1940 Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Denomination | Church of God in Christ |
| Residence | Los Angeles, California |
| Parents | Bishop J.A. Blake Sr., Mother Lula Blake |
| Spouse | Mae Lawrence Blake |
| Previous post | First Assistant Presiding Bishop (2001–2007) |
| Alma mater | Interdenominational Theological Center |
| Styles of Charles Edward Blake, Sr. |
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| Reference style |
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| 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 leader of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) from 2007 to 2021. COGIC is a large Holiness Pentecostal church group with millions of members. Bishop Blake was first elected as the Presiding Bishop of COGIC in March 2007.
He was re-elected for four-year terms in November 2008, November 2012, and November 2016. In October 2020, Bishop Blake announced he would retire from his leadership role in March 2021. He officially stepped down on March 19, 2021.
Contents
About Charles Blake
Early Life and Family
Charles Blake was born on August 5, 1940, in Little Rock, Arkansas. His parents were Bishop Junious Augustus (J. A.) Blake Sr. and Evangelist Lula M. Blake. He has an older brother, J. A. Blake Jr., who is also 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 for the COGIC church.
Leading West Angeles Church
In 1969, Charles Blake was asked to become the pastor of the West Angeles Church of God in Christ. He officially started this role in 1970. Around this time, he married Mae Lawrence Blake. They had three children: Charles Jr., Lawrence "Larry," and Kimberly.
Bishop Blake led the West Angeles Church of God in Christ until 2022. It became 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.
Recognitions and Influence
In 1982, Ebony magazine named him one of the "Greatest Preachers in America." Since 2007, Ebony has often listed him as one of the most influential African Americans. Bishop Blake also wrote articles for Ebony and Christianity Today. He wrote about how important the Black Church is in American society and politics.
In 1984, after his father passed away, Charles Blake became a bishop for the First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Southern California. He held this position until 2009. He then focused fully on his duties as the Presiding Bishop. He was also a member of the General Board of COGIC from 1988 to 2021. This board consists of the twelve main religious leaders of the denomination.
Education and Community Work
Bishop Blake strongly believes in education. He has many degrees from different schools. Biola University gave him an honorary doctorate degree in 2010.
From 2009 to 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 charities and orphanages in Africa.
He has also served on the boards of several important organizations. These include the Interdenominational Theological Center and Oral Roberts University. He was also involved with the Pentecostal World Conference. He helped start the Los Angeles Ecumenical Congress (LAEC). This group brings together religious leaders in Los Angeles.
Bishop Blake has received many awards for his work. These include the Salvation Army's William Booth Award and the L.A. Urban League's Whitney M. Young Award. In 2009, he was part of Barack Obama's advisory council for faith-based partnerships.
Retirement and Legacy
In 2016, Bishop Blake was chosen as a co-chairperson for the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America. He was re-elected as the Presiding Bishop of COGIC for a third term on November 15, 2016.
On October 23, 2020, Bishop Blake announced he would not seek re-election. He officially retired on March 19, 2021. Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Sr. took over as Presiding Bishop on March 20, 2021.
In April 2022, Bishop Blake announced his retirement as the senior pastor of West Angeles COGIC. His sons, Reverends Charles Jr. and Lawrence Blake, took over many of his duties. They were officially appointed as senior pastor and assistant pastor in October 2022. In August 2024, Reverend Lawrence Blake became the senior pastor of the Palm Lane Church of God in Christ.
