Pastor Robert E. Drake
Robert Elton Drake (Pastor Bob) born May 7, 1950, was raised in the Fifth Ward section of Houston, Texas and graduated from E.O. Smith Jr. and San Jacinto Sr. High schools. Pastor Bob with his wife of 48 years, Rosie "Chambers" Drake are parents to 3 sons; all who are licensed preachers and 1 daughter whom serve in the church. He served in the U.S. Army from June 1970 through June 1973, where he received training as a Data Telecommunications Specialist thus attaining the rank of Sergeant E-5. After completing his military service he attended University of Maryland and University of Houston before taking a job with Allied Bank of Texas and later with Coastal Corporation, from which he departed to serve his higher calling.
After accepting the call to salvation on April 26, 1978, he became a member of Greater St. Matthew B.C. in Houston where he was licensed and ordained to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 1979.
In 1996 the Lord Jesus called "Bro Bob" to serve in the pastoral ministry of the N.B.S.M., Rivers of Water Church.
Pastor Bob has since been fulfilling his call as a missionary and pursuing the vision to make missionaries (disciples) for the Lord Jesus Christ. He has previously served on missions at home and abroad, including such fields as Louisiana, Texas, New York, San Nicolas, Aruba (WI), Nevis (WI), St. Croix, USVI, San Leon, Nicaragua, Port-au-Prince, Haiti and Uganda, East Africa.
Pastor Bob's love for the Lord Jesus Christ and focus on world missions translates into the infectious vitality and heartbeat of the Rivers of Water Church with Christian education being a priority second only to the preaching of the Gospel. This commitment is seen in Sunday school attendance in which 98% of the 150 members attend weekly. To meet Pastor Bob is to know a man who is driven by purpose and hope in the soon return of Jesus Christ our Lord. All are welcome to visit but must expect that he will hug you as he does the entire congregation after every service, prayer meeting, bible study, fellowship feast, and general assemblies. It can be affectionately said that Pastor Bob is a no-nonsense shepherd living a life patterned after the heart of God.