We met in August 1976 at the Ambassador for CHRIST camp. I was sixteen, and James and Grace Blue were my youth counselors. James could teach the rightly divided Word of GOD with power and dramatize it so well that I was captivated! I readily received it due to James’s easygoing manner, transparency, and, most of all, his humor. 

Being a young Christian was actually cool! I was a babe in CHRIST, but my spirit bore witness to the power of the Holy Spirit that lived and worked in James. His love for THE LORD, GOD’s Word, GOD’s people, his wife, Grace, his family, his Bishop, Dr. Patricia T. Whitelocke, his church family, and everyone he met was truly evident and remarkable. 

He is a mighty man of GOD whose life and ministry were an example and inspiration to me and so many for decades; Bishop James E. Blue, Jr. will always be remembered with honor and love. 

Sending love to you, Bishop Grace Marie Blue.

Pastor Carol Jacobs Allen, Assistant Pastor St. Louis Bible Way Church, Inc.

Dr. Marilyn Maxwell

Bishop James E Blue was a mighty man of God. He was trained from a child in the way of the Lord, and he never departed from it. (Proverbs 22:6) He walked in the five-fold ministry, being an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. (Ephesians 4:11) He blessed so many people, including my family and me. 

God is saying to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Pastor Blue was a very special man with an extraordinary gift. Not only could he hear from God, but he also could see inside of those he ministered to. I had the pleasure of meeting Pastor Blue when I was asked by Marilyn Parker, the owner of Sparkman Magazine, to interview this extraordinary man about the upcoming event he was having in his hometown, Cincinnati, Ohio.

 He had the voice of a teacher, the eloquence of a preacher, and the heart of a friend. Pastor Blue's enthusiasm for talking about the goodness of the Lord was evident, and I could have listened to him all day. 

However, halfway into the interview, his attention shifted. He abruptly asked if he could give me a word from the Lord. Although I was shocked, I didn’t hesitate to say, “Of course.” This moment was not supposed to be about me. I’m the interviewer. I never imagined the words this man of God was about to speak over my life would manifest almost immediately. He shared that the doors that were opening in my life were going to be Global opportunities! He mentioned that I would have opportunities that others could not, and it would lead to more opportunities for me to build and move ahead He encouraged me to be ready to expect the unexpected! As this was my SEASON!!! 

 Immediately, the flow of blessings came! I have had a chance to grow my company Nationally and Internationally. I have had paid speaking engagements in Spain and Japan. I have become an anti-gun violence community advocate for the White House. In addition to being named as one of the top 2024 Global Evolutionary Leaders. (EL) The Evolutionary Partners Network includes over 60 organizations, conscious businesses, and movements. Who knew that in less than two years, all these would come to pass? Pastor Blue knew. He saw it in my life; he prayed for me and checked in regularly to let me know he was covering me every step of the way. His dedication to people, along with his prophetic gifts, made him extraordinary and inspiring to anyone who was blessed to experience him. I’m grateful that I had a chance. I know his legacy will always remain with us and that he will always be remembered for his extraordinary gifts!!! Thank you, Pastor Blue. The job is well done. Now rest, man of God, rest. 

Dr. Marty K. Casey, 

Evolutionary Leader

The Joys of Befriending Bishop Blue

 By William & Yolanda Powell 

We embraced Bishop James Blue at our Heads of State Congressional event in Washington, DC in the fall of 2022. This convening was uniquely slated to bring female leaders to the frontlines of global issues like Human Trafficking and to learn how we could be educated and aligned to address this great ill and evil both at him and across the continents. Too often the church is clueless about issues that are most critical for the times in which we live, move and have our being. We convened to assess and defeat this great threat among women and girls across the globe.

   Although apostolic women lead the charge, there were a few ‘mighty men of valor’ who had accompanied their wives; and Bishop Blue was among them. These male champions also addressed the issue of women being “female leaders” in the government of God and not second-class citizens. The discussions became lively exchanges as the elder men intersected with the younger in these age-old conversations. 

   Bishop shared his concerns tenderly and was reserved on a lot of pieces, but he remained open and honest about his positions. We respected his ability to meet new challenges with sound wisdom and to realize that things were rapidly changing in both church culture and society. He listened intently and we respected his years of leadership, strength and wisdom. We truly gained a friend in ministry at Heads of State and Bishop became a great ally.

  The following fall of 2023, we spent my birthday with The Blues along with Apostle Linda Ubeku, while on travel in Ohio. It was a sweet joy to dine together that evening in both celebration and conversation. Once again, we witnessed the pensive thoughts and strong positions of this Kingdom Giant. Bishop was clearly a man of deep convictions and doctrinal truth; and was both tough and tender at the same time. We admired these traits and the strong character he displayed. In retrospect, we bless the Lord for that special evening of good food, much laughter and sweet fellowship among the saints. Such times are precious and measured with extravagant love from above.

   Indeed, our hearts are heavy at this hour. From those brief times in Bishop Blue’s presence, our hearts grew very fond of him. What a great man of stature and honor. Clearly, we don’t often have enough opportunities to fellowship with men of tremendous stature, who carry “deep wells’ of longevity with timeless grace. Yet, Bishop Blue was, indeed, one of those “national treasures filled with “eternal power.” He will be greatly missed. Our times together were few and far in between—but they were memorial and life-giving.

   So, we extend our deepest and heart-felt condolences to his lovely wife, Bishop Grace Blue, his immediate family and entire congregation. Surely, the God of All Comfort will blanket each of you in His own warm and tangible ways. Here at the end of 2024, we salute a Mighty General and bid a loving husband, father, and friend to his eternal rest. Surely, it is filled with splendid rewards and many crowns. 

_______________________________________

William & Yolanda Powell are Apostolic Leaders and Marketplace Ministers who lead Kingdom Legacy Investors and have a global call to build nations for Christ. They have been married for 40 years and reside in Southern Maryland.

Minister Nannette Mason Gattis

The Legacy of Bishop James E. Blue

       “Those who know their God shall be strong and do great exploits” Daniel 11:32

How do I begin to talk about someone who has made such a significant impact on your life in 650 words? Well, I don’t quite know, but I’m going to try. Bishop Blue (and his beautiful wife, Grace) entered my life in December 1975. I had just started attending Saint Louis Bible Way Church, and the first event I attended was “Snow Camp.” I won’t go into details, but let’s say that the trip was a spiritual awakening that I’ll never forget. The next time I remember this “larger-than-life” man was at Summer Camp the following year. Bishop Blue was always drawn to the youth at church. He was the boys’ camp counselor, and Grace was the girls’ counselor. They were “courting” at that time, with plans to marry. We would tease them every time we got a chance, but we also discovered that we were witnesses to the beginning of a great love that would span almost fifty years. Bishop Blue played the guitar in those days, so he understood the power of praise and worship. Second only to one of our guest speakers at camp that year, Colonel David Kithcart, Bishop Blue had a commanding voice that shook heaven and hell when he spoke. Bishop Blue came from a generation dedicated to the advancement of God’s Kingdom. When he married Grace, he also said “yes” to the plan of God and began as the founding pastor of Cincinnati Bible Way Church.

Bishop Blue was a very popular speaker wherever he went. He always had a “now” word that was “on point” for the people present. God used him in extraordinary ways to get the gospel to the people. He had a unique ministry of using music and humor. We would laugh so hard that we didn’t recognize how much we were bleeding from the truth being spoken to us. God used his sense of humor to bring us to true deliverance and healing. He was dedicated to the youth and presided over every youth camp. He always supported me in spirit and Word, and he always encouraged me to do the “hard things” and take territory for God.

   Bishop Blue, along with Bishop Grace, always walked with great compassion. I remember receiving their call a day after my mother passed. Shortly after that tragic event, they traveled to North Carolina to visit family. He contacted my husband and me and invited us to share a meal and fellowship before returning to Ohio. He was never too busy. I remember being on a Hawaiian cruise, and I was in Oahu for one day. I got off the ship and met my bestie, Vanessa Gattis, at the dock, and we proceeded to walk to a restaurant for lunch. As we stopped at a light, we look over and saw Bishop James and Grace walking down the street. We later discover that they are celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary (at that time). Again, not knowing their plans. They join us for lunch and sweet fellowship. Only God could have arranged that! 

   Bishop James and Grace Blue were always transparent concerning their marriage. Every year, they would celebrate by streaming a Facebook Live. They would discuss topics that helped strengthen Godly marriages and share the challenges and lessons learned through the years. They would play romantic songs and end the session with a toast to one another and a prayer. They were always smiling, joking, singing, and rejoicing in their love for one another. 

   Like my mother, I thought Bishop James would live forever . . . or at least until Jesus returned. Bishop Blue, we will never forget you or the lessons learned under your tutelage. To God be the Glory for the GREAT THINGS He has done in and through your life.

Elder Marilyn Parker

Bishop James E Blue

'Truly he Understood his Assignment"

Many years ago, I recall meeting Bishop Blue when I was fifteen years old. I was at a summer camp program with St. Louis Bibleway Church. Pastor Blue was an older teen than I and a "CHOSEN AND called man of God." I can truly say that for over fifty-five years of His ministry, certain things about Pastor Blue never changed until he left to be with the Lord. 

⦁ He was always serious about worshipping God and seriously in love with his wife, Grace.

⦁ He walked in the authority of a child of God

⦁ He was always prepared to teach/preach and cast out a demon(!)

⦁ He was very stern yet gentle

⦁ If he gave you a word from the Lord, it would come to pass

There are certain things I will always remember that he either taught in a workshop, preached in a message, or shared with me. 

⦁ Bishop Blue was a facilitator at one of Sparkman Institute of Marriage and taught us something very valuable by sharing that he and his wife's bedroom was always a sacred place; no disagreements were allowed or anything that could lead to a disagreement in their bedroom. 

⦁ I shared with him some struggles in business and ministry I was having, and he strongly helped me by encouraging me emphatically, "Whatever you do, don't you drown." His advice was that powerful; he understood my commitment and my love for my business and ministry, but he reminded me to take care of myself.

⦁ When my son transitioned, he shared with me the need for counseling, not just Christian counseling but therapeutic counseling. There is a difference.

God truly blessed my family with the relationship of Bishop James and his wise and graceful wife, Grace. We are forever thankful for the life of Bishop James E. Blue.

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.

Psalm 1:1-2 KJV states, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

Apostle James E. Blue Jr. was a man after God’s heart! He desired to know the Word of God and be in His presence particularly when he taught and preached locally, nationally and internationally. I admired Apostle Blue’s comical manner when he delivered a sermon. He could easily be a contestant on “The Voice” when he shared his singing talents. He could break into a song quicker than a “magician could pull a rabbit out of a hat.” This mighty prophet of God would speak a Word of prophecy over you and you better believe it would come to pass!!! I am so blessed and honored to have known Apostle James E. Blue as a friend, teacher, visionary co- laborer in Christ, man of integrity, loving husband and father and a strong courageous leader. You are highly appreciated and missed. 

Pastor Donna Patton St. Louis Bibleway Church

Bishop Patricia T. Whiteocke has been the Pastor of Bishop James E, Blue from the beginning of his ministry. We honor God for this example in the body of Christ of the love, respect and honor between A Spiritual mother and son.