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Blake Cromwell will always be a spiritual hero for me. His life and charisma inspired me since I first met him, nearly four decades ago, when I was studying at the University of the Americas in Puebla, Mexico, and I gave my life to the Lord. At the beginning of Amistad de Puebla church, Blake came with his precious family on several occasions. I remember one summer day in which he was teaching about the Holy Spirit, when suddenly he stopped speaking, looked at me and asked me to stand up because he had a word for me. He said the Lord saw me as Andrew, a man, a fisherman and that the first thing that Andrew did, after having heard and followed Jesus, was bring his brother Peter to Jesus. Blake told me that Lord had called me to be a fisherman of men, to reach key people for His Kingdom. By His grace this has been a reality in my life. I shared about Jesus to two American friends that summer, and then I brought them to Blake so they could receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit, and they did.

Years later, I studied in ESPANA Bible school, and had the privilege of being was one of Blake´s disciples. We would go to the Cromwell´s place once a week, and while we were being trained and ministered, Rena used to make a delicious cake or dessert for us… Wonderful moments with the family….At the graduation ceremony, as some pastors and leaders laid hand on us, Blake declared that ‘the nations were waiting for me, waiting to hear the gospel, to receive a message of healing, hope and good news’, and that the Lord was going to send me to the nations.

I became a youth pastor in Amistad de Puebla, and after several years I was invited to become an assistant pastor in Vino Nuevo church in northern México. Four years later, Victor Richards, he leading pastor took us to Toronto to experience the Toronto Blessing, where we also met Blake and Rena. Once more, Blake had a word for me… he prophesied that maybe I had forgotten about going to the nations, but the Lord had not…those words deeply touched my heart and started a revolution in me. Within a year my wife and I became missionaries to Spain. Blake and Rena came to Spain as guest speakers in a Prophetic conference in Madrid as wells a retreat for pastors and leaders in Ciudad Real. People continue talking about how blessed they were… In addition, an outreach team visited us one summer and it was such a blessing. Blake was always there to help us. We are deeply thankful for all the support we received from him and Koinonia for so many years,

I would like to conclude as I have started: Blake is a hero for me. I treasure numerous accounts with him… his life, teachings and testimony were life changing. Thank you very much Lord for the life of this precious servant and I’m looking forward to seeing him again.

We met Blake when he was a young teenager who had just come to Christ. He was zealous to share Jesus with everyone and soon had formed what came to be known as “The God Squad” around campus. The Administration was impressed with the positive influence this group had on other students, changing character and even their academic work. Blake also immediately became a leader in the Coffee House ministry some of us had begun in order to reach the kids who were getting into drugs and criminal activity. He also became a regular part of our own family. Our house was half-way between the school and his house, so he often stopped in to do his homework, pray and study the Bible and enjoy Janet’s cooking. Over the next 20 years our lives and ministries often reconnected both in Koinonia and in outreach to Mexico and Jamaica. But perhaps the happiest memories are those of watching the relationship develop between him and Rena, see them joined in marriage , and then to see their son follow in ministry. Blake fulfilled Jesus/ word to his disciples: “”I chose you and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain.” (John 15:16)

We were one of the couples who were involved in the church plant in Corcoran. None of the four couples had ever started a church before, so we were definitely newbies! Blake and Rena led us with patience, wisdom, love, and laughter. It was a foundational time in our lives, and Blake guided us through it well. We will always remember his ready smile and how he loved life. His family was always a priority to him, and he set a good example in that important area of Christian living. We want to express our deep sorrow over his disappearance and presumed loss. What a difficult time this has been for the family, and our hearts go out to them! Praying for the deep comfort of the Holy Spirit and the arms of Jesus to surround you all. The Cromwell family impacted our lives, and we will never forget them! Love you all!!!

Blake Cromwell will always be a spiritual hero for me. His life and charisma inspired me since I first met him, nearly four decades ago, when I was studying at the University of the Americas in Puebla, Mexico, and I gave my life to the Lord. At the beginning of Amistad de Puebla church, Blake came with his precious family on several occasions. I remember one summer day in which he was teaching about the Holy Spirit, when suddenly he stopped speaking, looked at me and asked me to stand up because he had a word for me. He said the Lord saw me as Andrew, a man, a fisherman and that the first thing that Andrew did, after having heard and followed Jesus, was bring his brother Peter to Jesus. Blake told me that Lord had called me to be a fisherman of men, to reach key people for His Kingdom. By His grace this has been a reality in my life. I shared about Jesus to two American friends that summer, and then I brought them to Blake so they could receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit, and they did.

Years later, I studied in ESPANA Bible school, and had the privilege of being was one of Blake´s disciples. We would go to the Cromwell´s place once a week, and while we were being trained and ministered, Rena used to make a delicious cake or dessert for us… Wonderful moments with the family….At the graduation ceremony, as some pastors and leaders laid hand on us, Blake declared that ‘the nations were waiting for me, waiting to hear the gospel, to receive a message of healing, hope and good news’, and that the Lord was going to send me to the nations.

I became a youth pastor in Amistad de Puebla, and after several years I was invited to become an assistant pastor in Vino Nuevo church in northern México. Four years later, Victor Richards, he leading pastor took us to Toronto to experience the Toronto Blessing. We also met Blake and Rena there. Once more, Blake had a word for me… he prophesied that maybe I had forgotten about going to the nations, but the Lord had not…those words deeply touched my heart and started a revolution in me. Within a year my wife, two-year old son, and I became missionaries to Spain. Blake was always there to help us. We are deeply thankful for all the support we received from him and Koinonia for so many years, even an outreach team visited us one summer and it was such a blessing.

I would like to conclude, as I have started: Blake is a hero for me. I treasure numerous accounts with him… his life, teachings and testimony were life changing for me. Thank you very much Lord for the life of this precious servant. I’m really looking forward to seeing him again.

Blake Cromwell was always a reference for my family, but I had the opportunity to know him in a different way, I was able to share time with him during the time I lived with Andrew and Kerry and I could see how he loved his family, how he always made me feel like one more, including me in the plans asking me questions about my life, my family.., at the same time, I saw how he transmitted the love of God and how he was present in every moment of his family’s life, Blake was not only a man of faith, but also someone who lived it fully, showing with his actions what words sometimes cannot express. I thank God for allowing me to know him and learn from him

Estimada familia Cromwell. Lamento profundamente su pérdida. Blake fue un maestro excepcional y un verdadero ejemplo de la cercanía que puede alcanzar un hombre con Dios.
Recuerdo con claridad la última vez que lo escuché, En esa ocasión, compartió con mis padres una palabra de sabiduría que venía directamente del corazón de Dios. Lo que les dijo se cumplió exactamente como lo expresó hasta la última letra, y eso para mí fue una confirmación poderosa de la relación tan íntima y genuina que Blake tenía con Dios.
Hoy, aunque duele su partida, me emociona imaginar que Blake está experimentando lo que muchos anhelamos, escuchar la voz de Dios, pero ahora cara a cara. Su vida dejó una huella imborrable, y su fe sigue inspirándonos a todos quienes tuvimos la bendición de conocerle.
Los acompaño en este tiempo. Están en nuestras oraciones por fortaleza y paz.

We love Pastor Blake! We had the honor of serving with Blake and Rena as missionaries in Ensenada and although it was trying and difficult at times, I love that he trusted us enough to let us carry out our international calling under his leadership!

Blake was lead pastor at Koinonia when I (Chris) came back to the Lord and it was amazing to sit under his leadership and teaching style. He was real and yet it felt as though his words were from the throne of heaven.

To this day, I think our favorite memory was when Blake officiated our wedding, March 23, 2002. Laura and I took communion together as part of our ceremony and when we finished, before Blake resumed the ceremony, he pounded the rest of the “Blood of Christ” that we had left in our cup! It was all we could do to keep from laughing!

Blake was a huge part of our youth, helped us start our marriage, and helped walk us through our first experiences as foreign missionaries. He will not be forgotten and we thank God for the privilege of not only knowing him, but working with him for Kingdom purposes!

Love you, Blake! Enjoy your reward!
Chris & Laura Goldsmith

My husband, Patrick, and I had the privilege of Blake co-officiating our wedding along with my father, nearly 25 years ago. We also had the pleasure of being neighbors in our early years of our marriage. It was during that time that my father passed, and I recall Blake driving his green Packard down the road and stopping in the middle of the road to get out and offer us comfort at the loss of my father. He was always looking out for his flock!
Such a great man who touched so very many lives. He will be greatly missed!