Reverend Donald Ray Cook, Sr.
Reverend Donald Ray Cook, Sr. is the current Pastor of Great Hope Missionary Baptist Church. He served faithfully as the assistant to our dearly beloved former pastor, the Honorable Reverend Dr. Walter L. Cook.
Reverend Cook is the third of six children and the eldest son of Deacon Arthur Cook and Sister Mastic Cook. He has been a member of Great Hope Missionary Baptist Church since he was five years old. He is married to the former Tanya Winfred Odell, and is the father of four sons, Gregory, Joseph, Donald II and Ian.
He has been active in the church in various capacities such as the Junior Usher Board, the Youth Choir (as president thereof as well) and the Senior Choir. As a participant in the learning process of God’s word, Reverend Cook has served in the Sunday school as assistant secretary, helper and later teacher of Intermediate Boys and Adult Men’s classes. In addition, he served as a member of Board of Deacons and as its secretary.
Reverend Cook is a 1977 graduate of St. Augustine’s College (now St. Augustine’s University) In Raleigh, North Carolina, having received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Upon entering the ministry of Jesus Christ he studied at Chicago Baptist Institute in Chicago IL. And at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lombard, IL.
In 1986 he answered the Lord’s call to preach the Holy Gospel, and was later licensed in November of that year. In February of 1991, he became an ordained minister. Reverend Cook served in the pastorate before returning home to his Great Hope family. He later rejoined the Sunday school and has been instrumental in helping to prepare teachers in developing and delivering lessons.
In 2009 he was appointed by Pastor W.L. Cook as the church’s Assistant Pastor.
Reverend Donald Ray Cook strongly believes in preaching and teaching that is biblically accurate, doctrinally sound and that which glorifies God and edifies the saints. His ministry is based on his love of God and compassion for others. His motto is rooted in the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:16 that says:
“For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”
