“Win the lost at any cause” Luke 15:1 This mantra guides and is reflected in the ministry of Pastor Stephen Blake, fondly referred to as the “Dancehall Pastor”. His approach to ministry wins souls by appealing to the hearts of the people using music that they relate to and resonate with- Dancehall.
The journey to Stephen becoming the “Dancehall Pastor” began with his father Paul Blake, former lead singer of “The Blood Fire Posse” converting to Christianity. He married his mother, Dorette Blake(Rev.), and started his journey in the church and gospel music in 1991. This resulted in Stephen growing up in the church. An alumna of Cornwall College, he also attended Montego Bay Community College where he joined his first band in 2005. He penned and recorded his first song “Far away” with the band and his dad before going on to do work with Danny Brownie.

Stephen committed his life to Christ and ministry after falling in love with helping the youth of his country. He began preaching in prisons, leading weekly street crusades, and conducting feeding programs for children in poverty-stricken communities across several parishes. Through this outreach work that Stephen realized dancehall music was the most powerful tool to reach the youth after his Dancehall take on gospel became popular in the prisons with the young men he mentored. The response in the prisons and inner city was so overwhelming that he realized God was leading him to focus his talent and music on this genre, thus the birth of the “Dancehall Pastor”.

Stephen began recording again in 2011 and form the group “Anavah Love Jones” with his sister Tiffany Blake, where they completed their first album, “God A Mi Boss”. Stephen understands that in order to save souls, it helps to meet the people wherever they are. His mission is to bring hope to the people by delivering God’s message through Dancehall music. Frequenting events such as “Uptown Mondays” and performing at festivals like Reggae Sumfest, the Dancehall Pastor is a welcome sight by party promoters, artistes and patrons alike. An ordained Pastor of Acts of the Holy Spirit Church, Stephen’s God given vision has taken him far and wide.

He won Red Stripe’s “Big Buss” competition which led him to the Main stage of Sumfest Dancehall Night on which he has performed a record 3 times. Additionally, in 2018 he was the recipient of the Prime Minister’s Youth Award for “Nation Building”. His unconventional method of targeting unsaved souls in unpopular evangelistic territory like night clubs and secular events and communities stricken by gang violence and use of Dancehall music to spread the gospel shows his passion and determination to win the lost by any cost. Stephen is multifaceted and poised to become a generation changer through his ministry.