By Loretta Fulton

On Aug. 2, one ministerial career will end for C.V. Blake and another will begin. That will be the last day for C.V. to serve as pastor for adults at First Baptist Church and the beginning of his ministry to churches without a pastor.

But before that, he and his wife of 43 years, Shelly, most likely will spend a little time with their two children and four grandchildren who call them Papa and Elly. 

A search committee to find C.V.’s replacement was named following a vote of the congregation on May 17. C.V. arrived at First Baptist in 1999 to be the pastor for youth. He brought a lot of experience with him, serving in a similar capacity at churches in five different communities. He has been working with adults of various ages since 2004.

C.V. didn’t immediately respond to a sense of calling to the ministry when he was in high school. His father was a pastor for 54 years, and C.V. didn’t want any part of that.

“As I got a little older,” he said, “I came to realize the depth of the calling on my life.”

In addition to answering that calling, he and Shelley will continue to be involved in fostering children, as they have for almost 18 years. 

C.V. Blake

BIO
Place of birth: Fisher County Texas. My dad was the pastor at First Baptist Church of Roby. The hospital was in Rotan.
Where you grew up: My family moved to Levelland, Texas, when I was almost six. I went all the way through school in Levelland.
Family: Shelly and I married 43 years ago. We have two married children, Bryan and Lauren.  We have four grandchildren. They call us Papa and Elly.
Education: BS Texas Tech University 
Years at First Baptist: 27
Positions held: Youth Pastor, Young and Median Adult Pastor, Median and Senior Adult Pastor, Pastor to all the Adults.
Previous positions: 1979-1981 Minister of Youth and Music FBC O’Donnell; 1981-1983 Minister of Youth and Music FBC Slaton; 1983-1988 Minister of Youth and Music FBC Shallowater; 1988-1990 Minister of Youth Highland Baptist Lubbock; 1990-1999 Minister of Youth First Baptist Bryan.

Q At what age did you first feel the pull toward ordained ministry?
A  I first became aware of a possible calling to ministry when I was in high school.

Q Did you respond immediately or did it take awhile?
A My father pastored churches for 54 years. When I was in high school and college, I didn’t want any part of church ministry. As I got a little older, I came to realize the depth of the calling on my life. I finally said yes.   

C.V. and Shelly Blake with grandchildren

Q How long have you and your wife been involved with fostering children?
A  Shelly and I have been involved for almost 18 years. Our first foster child will be 18 in June and he still comes to see us. We think we have had 35 foster children.

Q Did either of you have a personal or family experience that led you to that ministry?
A Shelly has always loved babies and has always loved being a mother.

Left to right C.V. and Shelly with foster baby, C.V. Christmas caroling with his trombone, mission trip to Rio Grande Valley

Q What’s next for you and your wife now that you are retired? 
A My plan is to get involved in ministry with pastorless churches.  We plan to stay in Abilene.  

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene