Pastor Drake received the Holy Ghost on November 29, 1998 at The First United Pentecostal Church of Anderson, SC. At that point he was a senior in high school. He had recently felt the call of God upon his life and had begun to seek for more of God and a continuing education in ministry. However, in his search for the initiator of his burden he found himself at an Apostolic Church.

It was there where Rev. Wayne Lilly and his family took him under their wings and began to teach him all of the Apostle’s doctrine concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. Through their teaching Pastor Drake sought the Holy Ghost and was filled and later baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of his sins. It was then that he began to explore his call. His first sermon lasted all of five minutes during a children’s church. He later became a door greeter and an usher.

After proving himself to be a faithful servant he than began to assist his Youth Pastor Rev. Shawn Kilpatrick and continued to share those duties with him for 5 years. Slowly his Pastor Rev. Michael Crocker began to train him in the ways of ministry and began to use him in various areas of the church. As Pastor Drake continued serving in the ministry the Lord saw fit to send him a help mete and a life partner. On February 10, 2001 he married Tessa Stowe. They continued on in Ministry together working with youth, assisting with various ministries in the local church, Outreach Director, Administrative Assistant, Home Fellowship Group Leaders and Home Bible Study Teachers. Pastor Drake also served on a District level as Section 1 Youth Director.   

On December 12, 2002 the Drake’s were Blessed with their first child, Ethyn Russell. After serving faithfully in the local church for three more years the Lord lead the Drake’s to assume the pastorate at Living Water UPC in Seneca, SC. They were voted in as Pastor on June 6, 2005. At the time the church only had 15 remaining members. Now the church is having great revival and growth under the leadership of Bro. and Sis. Drake. Sis. Drake serves as the Church’s treasurer and Music Director. Pastor Drake also serves as Youth Secretary for the SC District. However, most recently both are serving as parents once again as they have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl, Emma Rain.