Pastor Donald R. Blanks, Sr. was born in Thomasville, AL to Johnny and Ealma Blanks. He is married to the lovely Evangelist Tracey L. Blanks and has four children, Chandra, Donald Jr., Jeriah and Jeramey Blanks. Pastor Blanks received his secular education in Hagerstown, MD where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Purdue University Global.

Pastor Blanks was called by God to go out and preach the Gospel in July of 1999. He graduated from New Life Ministry Institute and became a licensed Minister in September 2001 under the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) Incorporation. Bishop C. E. Anderson of the North Carolina Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction ordained Pastor Blanks as Elder in May 2002. Pastor Blanks’ desire above all is to be a servant. Pastor Blanks faithfully served those who were over him in the local church as well as in the various COGIC Jurisdictions that he was a part of. Pastor Blanks served as Pastor of Refreshing Fountain COGIC and Frankfurt COGIC in Germany where he also served as the Jurisdictional Sunday School Superintendent under the leadership of the late Bishop Carlis L. Moody Sr. Pastor Blanks also served as the Sunday School Superintendent under Bishop Neavelle Coles of the Washington DC Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and under Bishop Edgar Scott of the Pennsylvania Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. Pastor Blanks was installed as Superintendent of the newly established Maranatha District on March 24, 2019 by Bishop Carl A. Pierce, Sr. of the Maryland Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.

In March 2006, God called Pastor Blanks to start Restoration COGIC. God gave Pastor Blanks an assignment to preach the gospel, and every day he lives to do just that. Serving as the Shepherd at Restoration Church of God in Christ, he will leave the ninety-nine sheep that are safe to go after the one that has gone astray. God strengthens his servant to cry loud, spare not, lift up his voice like a trumpet, and show God’s people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Pastor Blanks is determined to tell all “the Bible is Right and Somebody is Wrong.” Pastor Blanks is a true man of God who fears the Lord and teaches others to do likewise. His compassion for God’s people is shown as he seeks God for a Word that will deliver, heal, set free, and restore.