Pastor Blair Corbett biography
Blair and Verna Corbett left the normal marketplace in their mid forties. They have chosen to use their own childhood experiences, and their faith, to make a difference for
some of God's hurting children. In 1999 the Corbett's began by adopting five children, to increase their total number of children in their home to ten. Due to mental and physical challenges the Corbett's knew these children would have otherwise aged out of the foster care system as unadoptable.
In 2000 they founded a ministry near Gainesville, Florida that would serve young child abuse victims. Ark of Hope For Children is impassioned to serve the needs of domestic orphans; abused and neglected children, in any way possible. The Corbett's goal has been "to break the chains of past abuse and lead orphans into lives filled with faith, hope and love." Their plans stretch from awareness and advocacy campaigns to actual homes that would house and care for victimized children and youth from birth to 23 years old.
Their plan for hands on care for abused children has been transformed by the economic downturn and Verna’s severe complications from gastric bypass surgery in September 2009. Verna has spent 7 months in the hospital, ICU’s and nursing home rehab facilities as of February 2011. Blair has spent every moment at Verna’s side. He knows half of himself lies in that bed fighting to get back out. Another surgery is possible in March 2011 once they know if an intestinal hole has healed itself or not. In addition they care for Verna's disabled (1/2 paralized and blind) ex-husband Ray.
Blair was ordained in 2008 and has received honors for his counseling efforts. For over 25 years he has been ministering to "fatherless" and orphaned young men. From that grew internet based counseling / mentoring with a growing number of extremely abused youth that found him online. He made this part of Ark of Hope’s overall mission through the “CounterAttack” counsel and mentoring program. Blair continues CounterAttack’s work on a daily basis, often for 60+ hours per week, while continuing to take the lead in Verna’s care.
Blair is taking their passion to reach out for abused children by igniting communities, churches and groups to link arms with Ark of Hope For Children's efforts. They use their “H2O – Hope to Orphans” program as the awareness and advocacy creation arm of their ministry. Through their active internet presence they plan to equip and mobilize care groups nationally and around the world. Over 800,000 individuals worldwide have joined their causes on their website, Facebook, Twitter and more.
Abused children and youth in need are in foster homes, adoptive homes, and even homeless all around us. “I cannot touch the children within your own community as easily as you can,” says Blair. By sharing my family’s passion we intend to transform lives through the hands and feet of our “Brothers and Sisters” throughout the U.S. and around the world.
Blair and Verna are also founding Board members of Forerunners Generation International; a powerful, life changing ministry led by Pastor Forson Swanzy from Ghana, West Africa.
Ark of Hope for Children and Pastor Blair Corbett - High Springs, FL (386) 454-1280 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Our take away message to all, victims or not... the following video sums up ours and especially God's message to you.
So, hello Beautiful!
Mercy Me; song thelindazoo; video
