A native of California, Ken spent his formative years in Fresno. He first felt God calling him to the ministry at a Billy Graham Crusade when he was 14 years old. Ken earned a B.S. degree in religion from Bartlesville Wesleyan College (now Oklahoma Wesleyan University) and M.Div. and D.Min. degrees from Western Evangelical Seminary.
Marilyn was raised on a farm in Kansas. She attended Bartlesville Wesleyan College and earned a nursing diploma at Northwest Texas Hospital School of Nursing.
Before leaving for missionary service, the Blakes pastored for 16 years in the Northwest District of The Wesleyan Church.
In 1988 the Blakes pioneered the work of The Wesleyan Church in continental Europe opening the field in Germany. In 1993, when the doors to Russia opened, they once again answered the call to pioneer. In their 12 years in Russia they have served as supervisors with CoMission, founded the Wesleyan Bible College, and have served the last eight years as mission directors.
Their new challenge is to assist Germany and other European fields in church planting. They will aid in identifying strategies, training, equipping, and coaching church planters in cooperation with the leadership of the mission team and national leaders.
"As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Joshua 1:5 NIV).
