David Blair, International Director of Youth and Discipleship Passes Away
Dr. David Blair, International Director of Youth and Discipleship for the Church of God, passed away on Sunday, March 21, 2021 in a Chattanooga, Tenn. hospital. He was 56.
The following announcement was released by Church of God General Overseer Tim Hill on Sunday afternoon, March 21:
It is with great sadness I announce the passing of Dr. David Blair, International Director of Youth and Discipleship. Dr. Blair passed today, Sunday, March 21, after battling severe complications related to Covid.
This devastating loss will be felt by none greater than his precious wife, Janet; their children, Bruce and Brittani; daughter-in-law, KaLea; grandson, Charlie; father, Charles; and sister, Mollie; but will reverberate within the Department of Youth and Discipleship and globally throughout the Church of God. The International Executive Committee and I are calling Church of God leaders and members to fervent prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to cover Janet and the entire family with comfort and peace, then offer thanksgiving for the impact and legacy of David’s ministry on each of us, and millions of others around the world.
Blair was elected to his current position at the Church of God General Assembly in 2016. He served as assistant director the previous four years from 2012 to 2016.
David C. Blair
David Blair’s leadership of youth and discipleship has made an indelible impact even prior to his graduation from Lee University in 1986. Formally beginning his ministry in March 1985, he accepted the post as youth pastor for the North Cleveland Church of God and served there for nine years. He was part of the early planning days of Winterfest and has been heavily involved in its growth and success as one of the Church of God’s most impactful annual events.
Recognizing his leadership early in his ministry, the Church of God appointed David Blair to serve as director of youth and discipleship for the state of Arkansas in 1994. After four years, he served in Kentucky from 1998-2000 before moving to the Delmarva-DC region. In 2004 he began a four-year appointment in the Youth and Discipleship Department of the Church of God serving as International Youth Ministries Coordinator. His final appointment as a state director came when he served in South Georgia for four years prior to his election to the assistant director post in 2012. Tenure limitations would have completed Blair’s service as International Director in 2020, however, postponement of the Church of God General Assembly last summer due to the Covid-19 pandemic extended his leadership until 2022.
Dr. Blair received his formal education at Lee University where he earned the Bachelor of Science, Master of Divinity from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, and Doctor of Ministry from Columbia International University.
Information concerning arrangements will be communicated as it becomes available.
