Blake's full-time concert ministry started right after Blake finished college. The Lord had been tugging on his heart for a long time to start this ministry and although it has always been Blake's dream and goal to sing Christian music, he did not expect to start so soon. Blake says, "I was doing the very best I could to wait on the Lord so I would not jump into something too quickly. But this time I watched as each door I thought the Lord was opening ended up closing, leaving only one door for me: I walked through and went straight into full-time music ministry." Blake attributes the first major push in the right direction to Pastor Brent Taylor of First Baptist Church, Carrollton, TX, "Pastor Taylor gave me the encouragement I needed when I sang for his church and it really cemented my heart and drive for this concert ministry."
Even though Blake spent the majority of his childhood in Perryton, Texas (which he calls 'home'), Blake lived in 13 different houses and four different states while growing up. "I would not change anything," Blake says, "I have great memories." Each place has its own special meaning for Blake: Shepherd, Michigan is where Blake received the Lord as his personal Savior at four years old; Mount Pleasant, Michigan was the time of bike rides to Big Boy (a favorite restaurant of the family's) with his father and "great family picnics." Colorado Springs, Colorado is where Blake met one of the most influential people in his life, David Wollen. It is also the place, Blake says, where the Lord "worked on me hardcore and where my life was changed forever-where I finally started to understand God's love for me and experience victory over the most powerful stronghold on my life: depression." And finally, Blake attributes Perryton, Texas as the place where he became more grounded in his faith and found a church that really took him in. It also was where he met another influential person, Michael Littau. Blake says God used Mikey and David "so much in my life, they are my best friends, and their great influence and loving spirits have helped mold who I am today."
The first group Blake toured with was The Continental Singers in the summer of 1998 and sang backup for Greg Long.Blake has also toured with several other groups including the Master's Hand Quartet who were invited to sing on stage at a Robbie Hiner Old Gospel Hour Quartet concert. Blake is a studio singer for “Christian World” tracks and has shared the stage with The Booth Brothers, The Greenes, Hope's Call, gospel artist Luke Garrett, and gospel group Inheritance(Jackson and Scroggs). In 2007 and 2008 Blake was featured in the Regional Artist Showcase at the National Quartet Convention and performed live multiple times for televised episodes of "Praise the Lord" on TBN . In 2008 Blake gained national recognition for the presence of his single "Somebody Cares" on top radio charts including "Singing News" magazine. Blake also had the honor to record the original “Prayer Force One” theme song and perform it at the Oklahoma State Capitol in April 2007. The song has since been played at every State Capitol in the US. Blake attributes most of his musical training to West Texas AMU and Liberty University, and his communication and performance skills to the education he gained from the theatre department at Oklahoma Baptist University.
Blake graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with a Bachelors degree in Theatre Arts and went directly into full time concert ministry. About his first years of ministry Blake recaps, "This has definitely been an adventure. God is constantly faithful, putting together connections and working miracles in and outside of this ministry. And through it all I am privileged to be able to share it step by step with my best friend--my wife."
One of Blake's greatest ministry opportunities comes during Blake's concerts when he shares his testimony. Struggling with deep depression and anxiety throughout his childhood and late adolescence, Blake tells of the redemptive powers of Jesus Christ in his life. Blake says, "It was through Christ and His power alone that produced the greatest 180 degree turn my life has ever taken. God reached His hand down and took me out of my "pit of despair" and has continued to heal me every day since."
Blake's past experiences fuel his ministry and his passion for telling people about the love of Jesus. Blake feels his testimony is a huge part of his ministry and concerts, "Concerts aren't just about singing and if you can sing well...you have to relate it to the people so they remember the message and it penetrates their life."
Blake feels his signature song is "Farther Than Your Grace Can Reach" by Connie Harrington and Steve Siler. Blake says his testimony about wondering how God could still love someone who "keeps messing up" is completely encompassed in this wonderful song. The story that nothing is too far or too deep to escape God's salvation and redemption is what Blake says his ministry is all about.
Blake also acknowledges another song he performs in his concerts as the "audience favorite": "Moses" by Ken Medema. In this song Blake calls on his theatre training to embellish and better communicate the story of Moses and the burning bush. With humor and passion Blake acts out the timid Moses and Moses' struggle with embracing God's call on his life. Blake explains, "I try to make it fun and entertaining, but also want to communicate deeply to the audience. Hearing good music doesn't always carry enough weight...there has to be meat behind it, a message. And that is what I try to focus my ministry around." Blake considers communication the most important part of singing. "I am told that when I sing people understand the words more clearly than they are used to with other singers. They follow the story of the song and absorb the message and that is what I am most passionate about; I don't sing songs whose message I do not agree with."
Blake married his wife Jenna in January 2006 whom he met while finishing his degree at Oklahoma Baptist University. They currently make their home in Oklahoma City.
Music has always been a part of Blake's life. Blake says, "Music-especially Southern Gospel-runs in my blood." Blake recalls stories while growing up about his grandfather who had a quartet called the Harmoniers. His grandfather would close his White's Auto Shop in Perryton, TX to broadcast his quartet on the radio for about 30 minutes and then reopen when they were through. However, Blake passionately names his father as the one who has influenced him the most musically; "Because of his taste in music, I grew up on Southern Gospel and it is one of the best things that ever happened to me." Other groups that have influenced Blake and his music are Gospel-greats like the Stamps , the Blackwood Brothers , the Imperials , and" Blake laughs, "just about anybody who has ever sung for Bill Gaither , especially the Gaither Vocal Band."
Blake remembers two moments in his life that shaped him and his passion for music: "When Jonathan Pierce wrote me a letter encouraging me to follow my passion, and when Guy Penrod gave me incredibly Godly advice during our brief meeting at a concert, telling me to give it all to the Lord and keep him first. I guess it is easy for me to say that it was all the people in this field and their loving character behind the music that really touched my life. I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of that."
"We had the blessing of sharing the platform with Blake Bolerjack recently and I cannot say enough about the talent and heart of this young man! He not only possesses a powerful voice and incredible ability in the area of dramatic interpretation (which he incorporates in his program in a really cool way), but most importantly he exudes the LOVE of GOD. His spirit is contagious! Catch it...Catch Blake Bolerjack as soon as you can! You will instantly love him, too!"
—Donna Beauvais, Producer, Daywind Records, formerly of notable Southern Gospel Group, Hope's Call
"Blake has a passion for ministry and his music communicates. He is fun to be with and his sound is fresh! Blake wants God to use him. Let's support him!"
—Roger Breland, TRUTH Ministries, University of Mobile, AL
"Blake is a great musician with a heart to communicate the message of Christ through song. He has blessed our church and I encourage you to have him at yours." —Dr. Brent Taylor, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carrollton, TX
"Blake is an amazing tenor with an incredible gift for projecting spiritual feeling with his voice." —Dr. Ed Moore, Pastor and Former OK State Senator, Pecan Valley Baptist Church, Newalla, OK
"Blake ministered to us and shared the gospel story through his tremendous talents! He fit in great with all of our services--traditional, blended, and contemporary. Our congregation was blessed and I was impressed with his sincerity and sensitivity to the moving of the Holy Spirit." —Wesley Hilliard, Lead Pastor, Heritage United Methodist Church, Van Buren, AR
"What a blessing Blake was to our church! He not only has a great voice, his acting talent gives him a unique ability to communicate songs effectively. At our men's breakfast the following morning after Blake was with us, our "over 65" men gave high praise for Blake, yet our teenagers loved him as well. He can touch audiences of all ages with his music and his love for the Lord!" —Dave Watson, Music and Worship Pastor, First Baptist Church, Newcastle, OK
"Blake has a powerful voice that clearly conveyed spiritual truth! The response from the congregation was unanimous, "bring him back"." —Dusty Cowell, Pastor, Countryside Baptist Church, Hutchinson, KS
"Our congregation really enjoyed Blake's performance. He is very genuine in his presentation and his love for Jesus shines through. Top that with a great voice, excellent vocal expression, and experience in musical drama. We would love to have him back." — Tom Van Duzer, Pastor, Light of Life Lutheran Church, Indio, CA
"I found Blake to be a fresh and alive witness for Christ, both in his testimony and his music. Our entire congregation was moved to worship with this dynamic vocalist's presentation of the Gospel in song." —John Lile, Pastor, West Warner Church of God, Guthrie, OK
About his new album, Blake states, "I have wanted to record a hymns album for quite sometime. There are many meaningful songs in Christian music, but there is just something about these old hymns we have grown up singing. If you stop and really listen to the lyrics, you'll notice how beautifully and masterfully they are written. Thers is so much said in so few words. Not only do these old songs have great doctrine, they tell stories of Heaven, changed lives, and redemption.
Album Art:
Somebody Cares (2007)
Blake's sophomore CD, "Somebody Cares", emphasizes
the unlimited love God has for each of us and how such a big God who can handle
big things also cares about the little things in our lives. Blake says, "I
am passionate about sharing how there is someone who cares about you and what
you're going through...and His name is Jesus."
Album Art:
Blake Bolerjack (2006)
Blake’s first album contains crowd favorites such
as “Midnight Cry”, “When I Get Carried Away”,
and “Moses” – a dramatic interpretation through
song about Moses’ struggle to say yesto
the Lord because of his handicap.
