top of page

PASTORAL MINISTRY EXPERIENCE

 

 

The Hope Church

            Willoughby, OH 44094

 February 2012 - June - 2016

            Lead Pastor

During my time as pastor I worked with the remaining members of The Hope Church, a 73 year old congregation in northeast Ohio, after a very difficult season. My ministry has been to help revitalize this congregation by refocusing their vision and mission to put them in a place of continued success, growth and ministry.

 

  • Restored financial stability

  • Restored monthly missions support

  • Development of ministry teams including worship, children’s and hospitality

  • Completed many facility repairs and improvements 

Oasis Christian Center       

Twinsburg, OH

August 2002 – January 2005

Lead Pastor / Church Planter

  • Recruited and developed leadership team to plant a new church in a fast growing suburb of Cleveland, Ohio.

  • Responsible for creating and implementing financial and marketing strategies to reach out to community utilizing radio spots, press releases, direct mail campaign and door to door canvassing.

  • Developed and implemented strategic plan for impacting community.

  • Provided training and development of all areas of ministry focusing on the entire family.

  • Empowered ministry team to oversee specific areas of ministry.

  • Conducted Sunday morning services, leadership meetings, small group studies and advisory committee meetings.

 

First Assembly of God (350-400)

Cleveland, Ohio

1993 – 2002

Student Ministries Pastor / Media Director

North Coast Master’s Commission Director

  • Developed mission and vision strategy for student ministries and implemented a strategic growth plan that took the youth ministry from 15 to over 300 in less than two years.

  • Provided leadership and oversight of student / children's ministries of two church plants.

  • Recruiting, training and releasing adult leaders to effectively minister to teens.

  • Restructured youth and children’s ministry enabling us to hire a full time children’s pastor.  This growth and expansion of ministries caused the church to take on multiple services due to growth.

  • Organized and developed North Coast School of Ministry which provided degree level training for lay leadership and future ministers.

  • Directed a nationally recognized  Discipleship/Internship program.

  • Produced pre-crusade youth events for the Billy Graham organization.

  • Coordinated major community outreach programs with local churches for city wide youth events, concerts of prayer, and outreach.

  • Networked with local high schools and served in the areas of football team chaplain, technical director for drama departments, substitute teacher and crisis counseling.

  • Organized and lead ministry teams on foreign and domestic mission’s trips to England, Russia, Belarus, Austria, Italy as well as stateside trips.

  • Created a worship environment that effectively reached young people using state of the art multi media technology.

  • Served the Ohio District Council of the Assemblies of God by producing events such as Youth Convention, Fine Arts Festival, PK Retreat, Camps, and Men’s events.

  • Served as technical director for Ohio District Royal Rangers Pow-Wows and National Camp-O-Rama  

  • Preached, conducted weddings and funerals and other ministry needs as requested by pastor. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

Bethel Temple  (250-300)

            Canton, OH

            October 2006 – November 2011

 Director of Student Ministries/Media Director

Responsible for training and development of all leadership and ministry to ages nursery through college. Assist the pastor in transitioning the congregation from a traditional program driven ministry mindset to an outreach and missional approach to ministry and growth. Direct supervision of part time associates and interns.

 

  • Created a multi-year ministry plan to develop a self supporting student ministry in the Canton area that is mission and outreach focused.

  • Remodeled existing facility to fulfill vision of student ministry including a game room, café / snack bar, and a $500K stage system with lighting, video, sound and special effects.

  • Remodeled and restructured children’s ministry area that mirrors youth ministry facilities with video games, snack bar, lighting, sound and media.

  • Created monthly outreach to local teens and college students utilizing national, regional and local bands. Attendance has reached above 700 regularly.

  • Restructured existing mid-week children’s ministry for immediate growth. Ministry grew from 20 to over 200 in one year. Consistently ministers to 150+ children a week.

  • Created security procedures for well being of children’s ministry. Recruited, trained, released team to facilitate this ministry.

  • Developed media ministry team including audio, video and computer generated graphics for main auditorium, youth and kids ministry.

  • Designed and installed media system in main sanctuary enhancing video and sound.

  • Direct supervision of over 75 interns, volunteers and departmental leaders.

  • Directed major children’s and youth ministry outreaches through out the calendar year. Attendances have ranged from 300 – 1,000 at these events.

  • Developed student ministry leadership team effectively ministering to over 250 students weekly.

  • Pulpit preaching, weddings, funerals and other ministry needs when asked by lead pastor.

  • Technical advisor for several local schools for media and other production needs for large events. 

Evangel Assembly of God

Wooster, OH

1991-1993

Youth Pastor

Faith Memorial Church

Storm Lake, Iowa

1990-1991

Youth Pastor / Kids Pastor

© 2023 Don Blanton. Proudly created with Wix.com

    bottom of page