Dr. James L. Blizzard

On March 2nd, 2023, James L. Blizzard entered the presence of his Lord and Savior at the age of 88. Jim was born in New London, CT, on September 9th, 1934. He would spend the majority of his childhood in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Jim planned to enter the Coast Guard Academy until a life-changing day in October 1951. He was invited to a meeting of a Christian student group, which he attended but sat in the very back. Later that evening, James accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at 17. For the next 71 years, he followed wherever the Lord led him.

Against his parents’ wishes, Jim decided to pursue the ministry and attended Columbia Bible College. It was here that he met the love of his life, Gerda. They were married in 1956, and the years only added to their love. Gerda was called Home in July 2010. Together, they had five children, 23 grandchildren, and 44 great-grandchildren. Jim and Gerda loved their family deeply. Adding spouses, Jim’s family is 100 people strong. He leaves behind a younger brother Bruce and wife Barbara along with their 3 children.

After college, Jim joined the Bible Presbyterian Church and attended Faith Seminary. He earned two degrees while studying at Faith. During these years of study, he planted his first church by God’s grace in Stanton, DE. After five years at Stanton, Jim moved to Knoxville, TN, to plant another church. Finally, the Lord brought Jim to Florida. He led Gateway to the Stars, a Bible conference, for several years before planting his third church in Cape Canaveral, FL–Grace Bible Presbyterian Church.

Dr. Blizzard retired after 29 years at Grace and 60 years of ministry in the Bible Presbyterian Church. During his years of service, he was active at every level of the Bible Presbyterian Church. He served His Lord and Savior from the pulpit, local ministries, camps, Presbytery meetings, and the General Synod, which he served as moderator three times. He served on every agency of the Bible Presbyterian Church. For the last nine years, he continued to serve and minister in various ways. He was a mainstay in the Bible Presbyterian Church, providing leadership, wisdom, and a model of faithfulness.

The last week of his life he spent with his children and their spouses on a cruise. Many memories were made. Even in his struggles there was no place else he desired to be.

Dr. Blizzard loved to sign cards with Hebrews 12:1, 2: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

On March 2nd, 2023, James L. Blizzard entered the presence of his Lord and Savior at the age of 88. Jim was born in New London, CT, on September 9th, 1934. He would spend the majority of his childhood in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Jim planned to enter the Coast Guard Academy until a life-changing day in October 1951. He was invited to a meeting of a Christian student group, which he attended but sat in the very back. Later that evening, James accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at 17. For the next 71 years, he followed wherever the Lord led him.

Against his parents’ wishes, Jim decided to pursue the ministry and attended Columbia Bible College. It was here that he met the love of his life, Gerda. They were married in 1956, and the years only added to their love. Gerda was called Home in July 2010. Together, they had five children, 23 grandchildren, and 44 great-grandchildren. Jim and Gerda loved their family deeply. Adding spouses, Jim’s family is 100 people strong. He leaves behind a younger brother Bruce and wife Barbara along with their 3 children.

After college, Jim joined the Bible Presbyterian Church and attended Faith Seminary. He earned two degrees while studying at Faith. During these years of study, he planted his first church by God’s grace in Stanton, DE. After five years at Stanton, Jim moved to Knoxville, TN, to plant another church. Finally, the Lord brought Jim to Florida. He led Gateway to the Stars, a Bible conference, for several years before planting his third church in Cape Canaveral, FL–Grace Bible Presbyterian Church.

Dr. Blizzard retired after 29 years at Grace and 60 years of ministry in the Bible Presbyterian Church. During his years of service, he was active at every level of the Bible Presbyterian Church. He served His Lord and Savior from the pulpit, local ministries, camps, Presbytery meetings, and the General Synod, which he served as moderator three times. He served on every agency of the Bible Presbyterian Church. For the last nine years, he continued to serve and minister in various ways. He was a mainstay in the Bible Presbyterian Church, providing leadership, wisdom, and a model of faithfulness.

The last week of his life he spent with his children and their spouses on a cruise. Many memories were made. Even in his struggles there was no place else he desired to be.

Dr. Blizzard loved to sign cards with Hebrews 12:1, 2: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.