Blake Prater

At a young age, God drew me to his Son where I repented of my sins and responded to his invitation of salvation.  God began, even then, to prepare me for the capacity to which I serve today in Student and Recreational Ministry at Farmstead Baptist.

In thinking of where I serve, it is truly a place God has prepared for me at this point in my service for Him.  I love to compete in basketball, frisbee golf or any other sport for that matter and I love to disciple, hangout and worship with students.  The energy and enthusiasm that God has placed in students creates an environment primed for service and worship.  We have a strong core of students in the Lift Student Ministry of Farmstead Baptist.

I am married to my beautiful wife, Julie, of 12 years who God brought to me through her Father being called as my pastor in the mid-90's.  I have two awesome children, Brogan and Taryn, whom both attend and excel at Lupton Junior High School.  They are a gift that God requires of me to train and admonish until I give them back to Him.  Praise the Lord, both of my children have responded in obedience to Salvation already. 

I am a graduate of Ayers State Technical College (today known as Gadsden State Community College) with an Associate's Degree in Architectural Drafting and an Associate's Degree in General Studies.  Currently, I am pursuing a Bachelor's Degree from Leavell College, the undergraduate school of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, at the extension center at the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama.  I desire to complete my education with a Master's Degree in Theology. 

God is at work and we must join Him.  I know God can accomplish much through this student ministry and I believe through the discipling, encouraging and serving of students that this will take place.  What is that "much"?  It is young people receiving salvation, growing in their faith and walk with Jesus and then those that have been changed becoming change agents for Jesus. 

We lift Christ because He lifted us.  Romans 5:8.