I had the privilege of growing up right here in Shelby, NC. I attended Buffalo Baptist Church starting at 10 years of age and attended there until I was thirty when God called me into full time ministry. At age 12, I accepted Christ as my personal Savior. I had an accident a few years before that almost took my life. I realized that God was not done with me yet and He had a plan for my life. From that point, I stayed very involved with our youth group, and was later baptized by my pastor at Buffalo, Mackie Turner. After graduating from Burns High School, I attended Appalachian State University where I planned to teach and coach at the high school level. I took my first job back at my alma mater, Burns High School, where I was the strength coach, head wrestling coach, assistant football coach and leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. After serving in that role for 8 years, the Lord called me into full time ministry. For the next thirteen years, I served as the youth and children’s minister at Buffalo Baptist Church in Shelby, NC. The Lord then called me to Eastside Baptist Church in Shelby to serve as their Associate Pastor and Youth Minister for five years. The Lord has now called me to serve as Hope Community Church's Family Pastor. I’m excited to see how God is going to move and how He is going to continue my growth in ministry service. I’ve also been blessed to serve as Cleveland County’s Area Representative for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for the past sixteen years. I love being able to engage, equip, and encourage coaches, athletes, and all they influence. I married Shannon Mullens Blanton on June 14th of 1997 and we have 2 amazing kids, Jeremy Dylan and Morgan Grace. God has truly blessed me!