Remembering Pastor Samuel A. Blow

It is my somber duty to inform you of the passing of Rev. Dr. Samuel A. Blow. Pastor Blow passed from this life and entered into the rest of the Lord on Friday, October 9, 2020.

For the past 8 years, Dr. Blow has served as pastor of the New Zion Hill Baptist Church in East Baltimore. However, prior to his assignment there, Dr. Blow served as pastor of Pleasant Hope Baptist Church from 1996 to 2007. During his tenure at Pleasant Hope, Rev. Blow was a pastor beloved. His humble spirit and personable ways, endeared him to many. He brought remarkable growth to our church and many of the members of Pleasant Hope today developed a deeper relationship with God and a stronger commitment to Christian discipleship under his leadership. He was very attentive and compassionate concerning the varied needs of the members of the church; often present by their side in both moments of celebration and hardship. Pastor Blow has been a fixture and elder statesman in leadership within the United Baptist Missionary Convention of Maryland & Auxiliaries, Inc. In this role, he has helped to train, and teach thousands of Believers in Maryland and throughout the country. He has also served as clergy on staff at Vaughn Greene Funeral Home for a number of years, extending care and comfort to countless bereaved families in their hour of need. He was a great support to me personally as well. He was the one that encouraged me to apply to become pastor of Pleasant Hope - speaking glowingly about the congregation and the opportunity for me as a young man in ministry. I took his advice and applied for the position. I was elected and installed in 2008. I soon learned that Rev. Blow as my immediate predecessor left very big shoes for me to try and fill. I often struggled greatly with feelings of inadequacy and the expectations laid on my shoulders. Rev. Blow, perhaps sensing my angst and bewilderment, reached out to me very early on to encourage me. He let me know that he would be there to support me and he made good on his word. When issues came up especially in the early years of the pastoral transition, he would call me directly to lend a listening ear, offering advice when asked, and shielding me from the harshest critiques from others that I, in many cases, had earned. As a young man and new pastor, I needed that kind of genuine support from someone who truly wanted me to be successful. I could not have asked for a better predecessor and mentor. Given his deep love for Jesus and his many years of faithful service to the Lord's Church, I have no doubt that Pastor Blow is now celebrating in the unfiltered presence of God. As we mourn, let us remember Philippians 4:9 which says, "Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." Let us do in our lives what Pastor Blow has taught us through his life and as we do, I believe that we too will hear what I believe his heavenly ears heard at his instant arrival in glory: "Well done, My good and faithful servant!"

Please keep his wife, Lady Shelley Buynum-Blow, their children, grandchildren and entire family in prayer. Also, pray for the members of Pleasant Hope who knew Rev. Blow as their pastor, leader, and friend. May the God of all comfort be with us all in Christ Jesus during this time of great sorrow and eternal gratitude for a life well lived.

Sincerely, Rev. Dr. Heber M. Brown, III Pastor Pleasant Hope Baptist Church Baltimore, MD