Reverend Damon Blakeley, St. James AME Church Fort Worth

by Linda Powell-Jackson
(Fort Worth, Texas)

Reverend Damon Blakeley is a native of Bastrop, Texas. He was educated in the Bastrop school system where he was listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students consecutively for three years. One of his most rewarding and outstanding achievements, Rev. Blakeley was chosen as a congressional young leader and attended the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, DC. Rev. Blakeley is a graduate of Baylor University with a B.B.A. in Management Information Systems.

He was ordained an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2002. In 2003, he accepted his first charge as pastor of the Elgin Circuit, which consisted of Mt. Vernon and Pleasant Zion, respectively. A proposal for the merger of the two Churches was presented to the Southwest Texas Annual Conference, and under the capable leadership skills of Rev. Blakeley, a Station was formed, namely Greater Mt. Vernon Zion AME Church. In three years, Pastor Blakeley was blessed to develop effective leaders, bridge community fellowship among other churches and denominations, increase tithing by over 150%, as well as increase membership. His vision for building a new sanctuary was embraced by the congregation and was completed in December of 2006.

Rev. Blakeley also served as the pastor of Greater St. Luke A.M.E. Church in Midland, TX. During his first year at Greater Saint Luke, Rev. Blakeley set the bar high by creating a strategic plan that reduced debt significantly, increased membership and weekly attendance, and implemented an economic plan that brought in a steady stream of income. In 2008, he was appointed by Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram to serve as the Pastor of Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Church in Fort Worth, Texas where he has once again set the bar high by using his par excellence preaching, teaching, and interpersonal relationship skills that have moved the Church in less than a year to another level of Christian service. Pastor Blakeley is a man of God, serving with enthusiasm and a vision, the people of God.

Proverbs says, “The spirit of a man sustains him in his sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit.” Rev. Blakeley’s growing passion in the ministry is spiritual healing. It’s about “Inside Out” healing.

Reverend Blakeley is married to the lovely Regina Jefferies Blakeley, and the proud father of two lovely daughters, Amaya & Ashira Blakeley.