Given O. Blakely (1935–2022)

A minister of God's Word since 1954, having held ministries in Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, and Missouri. Prior to living in Joplin Missouri, my ministry was for The Church at 78th and Independence [originally "The Church at 26th and Colfax], which he founded, in Merrillville, Indiana. He ministered there for 32 ½ years.

Blakely held two crusades in Vijayawada, India, where he ministered to gatherings of 12,000-19,000 people, five times daily (1980 and 1985). This is a low-cast, and thus poverty stricken, area in India. At the conclusion of those crusades, several hundred people were baptized into Christ, all coming from a Hindu background. THE WORD OF TRUTH, published quarterly by brother Blakely, was translated and printed in the Hindi language of India for several years during the 1970's and 1980's. It was also translated into Korean, and distributed in South Korea during the 1970's and 1980's.

Brother Blakely was author and editor of The Word of Truth publication from 1960-1992. Prior to 1960, he published this periodical weekly under the name "Salt Shaker," while ministering in Marshall and Dallas City, Illinois. From 1960 through the mid-1980's, The Word of Truth was a Monthly publication. Since then, it has been published quarterly.

Given was the founder and speaker for The Word of Truth Radio Broadcast for ten years. This radio broadcast was 15 minutes in length, and was aired over numerous stations throughout the United States. He also moderated and spoke on The Word of Truth Radio Forum, a one hour call-in broadcast centered in the Chicago area. During the program, questions and comments were received from listeners. During the latter 1980's, this broadcast had a confirmed listening audience of approximately 10,000. After moving to Joplin, Missouri in 1992, brother had a daily (Monday thru Friday) broadcast at a local radio station (KNEO in Neosho, Missouri). Following his stroke, he was unable to keep up the fast-paced speaking thje program required.