Interview with Pastor Devon Blanton

The Assignment is a fantastic Bible study for the individual or small groups. It addresses the big questions such as why are we born and why do bad things happen to good people? It is eye opening, full of inspiration and challenges. It can change your world!

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/ASSIGNMENT-here-purpose-doesnt-mystery/dp/1974430774/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1513205147&sr=1-1

Dr. Devon Blanton is a pastor conducting a full time ministry along with a very busy Christian Counseling practice. He holds an earned Doctorate in Religious Education, specializing in Counseling. He is certified in Family and Marriage, Grief and Drug Abuse and Health and Nutrition. He is also a Certified Health Coach. His post-doctoral pursuits include an earned diploma in Psychiatric Studies. He also completed brief studies in Cardiology and Resuscitation from Perelman School of Medicine, Penn State University. He further expanded His studies in nutrition from Texas A&M, Vanderbilt University and Stanford University. This all coincides with his four pillar philosophy on Counseling. These focus on the Physical, Spiritual, Emotional and Financial parts of who we are. He is also the Founder of Cross Anchors Solutions, a high level training program out of Durham, NC providing training in Leadership Development, Biblical Counseling I, II, Advanced Biblical Counseling and Health and Nutrition.

Welcome Pastor Devon

What sparked your decision to journey down the path of writing The Assignment?
After many years of pastoring and counseling, I realized that most believers didn’t really know why they are here. The number one question over all others is why am I here. I began preaching on the subject and just wrote a book out of that experience.

What is the most important thing you hope readers will take away from reading The Assignment? I would like for each reader to have that “ah ha” moment for which every writer hopes. The amazing discovery of how our purpose is simple is a powerful and shocking revelation. Understanding the big picture view that God offers us is key to that understanding. We look at the view very carefully.

What did you find to be the most difficult part of writing this book?
Most of the time when I write, it just flows like a waterfall. The writing is easy. On the other hand, the editing is hard because it must be written in a way that everyone can easily understand. My brain tends to think in awkward sentences that don’t make a lot of sense to my readers. That part is grueling. Content means everything to a theological writer, so I must do sentence structures myself so that the exact meaning remains intact.

Did you at any time get writer's block? If so what did you do to overcome that obstacle?

I never get writers block. It just flows. I have a system that I use as a guide to writing. I simply write a list of carefully crafted questions about the subject that I am about to write about and then answer all the questions. Usually I write one chapter (the answer) for each question. It got me through college and post grad school and served me well. It is a sure-fire way of covering the subject clearly. At least, that is my main goal and I think it works for the reader.

 

You are known for your great sense of humor. How much humor will readers see in your writing? It is a difficult thing to write humor in a sentence particularly when theology is the subject. However, my candor and mid-western plain talk is usually seen as character and most people are grateful for an honest strait talker. My sense of humor is off the chain, so the more people learn about my personality, the more they can see it in my writing.

What is your favorite scripture? And why?

It is hard to lock down a particular scripture but in a nutshell, I really like Galatians 2:20. Understanding that it’s not at all about us is key to negotiating this life in the best interest of the Kingdom. My goal is to be sure that my body submits to the true leadership of the Holy Spirit. It’s a tall order but it will never be accomplished with a lesser desire; that’s for certain.

Tell us a little about your family, and your church....

My wife and I have been married 43 years. We have two sons, one of whom is married with a beautiful 1-year-old daughter and a son on the way. We are so blessed! Our wonderful church is amazing. We focus on “equipping the saints for ministry”. We try to avoid the modern pitfalls of “business as usual” and the clubhouse mentality of many modern churches today. Our emphasis dictates that we get serious about our faith while we live, love and laugh together. It’s a great community of believers with open arms for anyone wanting to know more about our Lord.

If you could go anywhere in the where would it be and why?

Like most believers, I would love to go to Israel at some point. However, I am quite content to spend time with my wife at the beach or somewhere in the mountains. We like to go off season when it is quiet. We would enjoy mingling with different cultures such as in Mexico, Scotland or maybe even South Africa.

What is one accomplishment that you are most proud of?
I have done a lot of things in my life, but I most enjoy being a father and a husband. I also enjoy having great friends whom I love as family.

 

Tell my readers where they can keep up with you.
I can be found on Facebook under my name “Devon Blanton.”  A new website is underway now. The Cross Anchor Solutions page is also a good way to connect on Facebook. That is the core company through which I book speaking engagements. I founded it as well.