OUR PASTOR  

REV. SAMUEL CORY BLANKS

Rev.Samuel Corey Blanks is a native of Bladenboro, NC. He is the second of two children born to the late Mr. James Albert Blanks and Mrs. Janice Cynthia Blue Blanks. He completed his primary education in the Bladenboro public school system and further studied at Livingstone College and Fayetteville State University. He is currently enrolled at Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, NC. In  2026, Rev. Blanks was inducted into the Alfred G. Dunston College of Preachers, Lecturers, & Scholars. 

Rev. Blanks has always been a bright and intuitive child, especially interested in hearing the pastor of his hometown church preach every Sunday. It was no surprise to his parents when he accepted the call to ministry at the tender age of 15 and received his first appointment to pastor New Zion A.M.E. Zion Church in Lisbon, NC, at 17. He is often referred to as an “old soul” for his love of old hymns, his favorite being “It Is Well with My Soul.”  One of Rev. Blank's favorite sayings is:

“Good, better, best. I will never let it rest until my good becomes my better and my better becomes my best.”

Since his appointment at New Park, Rev. Blanks has held pastorates at Shady Grove A.M.E. Zion Church and Rehobeth A.M.E. Zion Church, all in the Cape Fear Annual Conference. Rev.  Blanks took a leap of faith that brought him to the West Central North Carolina Conference, where he was assigned to pastor the Rock Hill AME Zion Church in Concord, NC. He also pastored St. Stephen Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church in High Point, NC,  and then transferred to the New England Annual Conference in June 2019, where he and the First Family served at Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church in New Britain, CT. In February 2023, he assumed his current assignment as Pastor of The Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church in Hartford, CT.

Rev.Blanks promotes the doctrines and disciplines of the A.M.E. Zion Church. Currently, he serves as a District and Conference instructor for the Hartford District and New England Annual Conference. He also serves as chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee for the Hartford District, chairman of the Board of Christian Education, and a member of the Board of Trustees for the New England Annual Conference. He is also a member of the Harriet Tubman Board of Directors for the Northeastern Episcopal District.

Rev. Blanks' commitment to service extends beyond the church doors, as he has held several civic and political positions between his appointments. He believes the church is not just a place of worship but that its leaders and congregation have a duty to promote healing, love, and kindness for all, regardless of race, religion, or color. He believes in partnering with various religious and community organizations to foster peace and love even beyond the walls of the church. He is a proud member of the Hartford Chapter of Delta Pi Sigma, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Many blessings have been bestowed upon him for his commitment to spreading the word of God and remaining a humble servant.  

Rev. and Mrs. Blanks currently reside in Hartford with their two children: daughter Korie Makenzie Blanks, born in April 2018, and son Theodore Andrew Blanks, born in December 2019.