Rev. Micah Blanks, pastor at Highland Avenue UMC in Fairmont, WV (MonValley District), was received the “Sharing of Self” Award at the 2019 Martin Luther King, Jr. Living the Dream Awards at Asbury UMC in Charleston on Monday, Jan. 21.

“Rev. Blanks exemplifies Sharing of Self in countless ways,” said organizers of the award ceremony. “He willingly shares his gifts and graces by serving his congregation and community. On any given day, Rev. Blanks can be found actively engaging in the lives of children, guiding youth, serving food in the local soup kitchen, transporting people to hospitals, comforting the bereaved, singing with the Praise Band, writing, teaching, preaching, and basically loving and serving God’s people. His life of service inspires people of all ages and races.”

Micah has previously served on the Southern District Lead Team and has been active in youth and young adult initiatives, including the Radical Discipleship Academy and DiscoverU. He also serves on the Conference Discover Team. His church, Highland Avenue, received the conference One Matters Award in 2017.

“It is a great honor to receive The  Sharing of Self Award award from the West Virginia Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission,” Micah said. “It was a cool day temperature-wise but it warmed my heart to see others in ministry/service across the state receive recognition for their endeavors. A glorious day to celebrate someone I view with such high regard; furthermore, to stoke my passion for ministry in my context of Fairmont, WV.”