Biography of Pastor Paul A. Blackmon, Sr.
Rev. Blackmon is a life-long resident of Pensacola and the proud Pastor of First Baptist Church of Ferry Pass. He is a certified instructor for the First West Florida District Association, the Florida General Baptist Convention, Inc., and the Florida General Baptist Congress of Christian Education. He currently serves as the 2nd Vice President of the First West Florida Congress of Christian Education.
In the local community, he was a successful President of the First West Florida Laymen Institute from 1998-2002. He has also served as President of the West Pensacola Youth Association where as Commissioner he facilitated sports activities for many underprivileged girls and boys. He was also a patient Tee-ball coach of 4–7 year olds. Paul is often asked to give motivational presentations to youth, something he enjoys immensely. Paul received a B.S. Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of West Florida and is currently pursuing a degree in Theology at West Florida Baptist Institute. He began his career in law enforcement as a Corrections Officer in Escambia County and recently retired as an Investigator with the Florida State Attorney’s Office 1st Judicial Circuit. He was formerly employed as a Special Agent specializing in covert investigations with Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms. The church has been a major part of Paul’s life for all of his life. He is saved, anointed and Holy Ghost filled. This coupled with his life experiences and thirst for Christian education, provides him the foundation for the awesome task of spreading the gospel through a teaching ministry. Paul’s service to the community echoes his favorite quote of George Bernard Shaw: "I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no "brief candle" to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations." Paul is happily married to Jean Blackmon. They are the proud parents of three children, Tiffany, Paul Jr. and Sean.
History of First Baptist Church of Ferry Pass
The First Baptist Church of Ferry Pass was organized in the home of Dea. W. M. & Sis. Fannie Scott on October 3, 1960. Rev. J. S. Hunter was called as Pastor. The church joined the First West Florida District Association under the tenure of Moderator Rev. I. S. Powell.
As the church grew, a larger place of worship was needed. A tent was set up on the northeast corner of Caminitti Lane and Parazine St. The tent was later moved to the location upon which the church now stands.
In 1965 Rev. H. B. King was called as Pastor. During his decade of leadership the current church building was completed. In the following years the church fell under the leadership of Rev. Victor Archie, Rev. LaVaugh Jones and then Elder Marcus McCreary.
In November of 2005, our current Pastor, Rev. Paul A. Blackmon, Sr. was called and accepted the challenge.
A visionary, Pastor Blackmon has re-energized First Baptist Church of Ferry Pass. Ministries have been reorganized, new ministries implemented, a commitment to evangelism established and timeliness emphasized. Our membership has grown and we praise God for we understand that it is God that gives the increase.
