WS Chronicle

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Emancipation Association will hold its annual scholarship awards program on Wednesday, Jan. 1 at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church, 5000 Noble St.
Scholarship awards will be given to several outstanding local students. James Cook, pastor of St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church, will speak.

Cook, a native of Selma, Ala., received a BA in religious studies from Virginia University of Lynchburg and a Master of Divinity degree from the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond.

He has led St. Stephen since Oct. 1, 2007. During his first year as pastor, he was selected to participate in the Wake Forest University Holy Land Pastoral Renewal Program, traveling to Israel with several other religious leaders. He also took part in Project Rising Sun, an initiative of the Fund for Theological Education. This program is a two-year leadership program for gifted young pastoral leaders. Pastor Cook completed the Engle Institute of Preaching at Princeton Theological Seminary, which is designed to strengthen the craft of preaching.

Under Cook’s leadership, St. Stephens new initiatives include the establishment of the Good
Samaritan Food Pantry and Clothing Closet, the Preparing Leaders for God’s Tomorrow summer camp and the annual Family and Friends Day. He has also implemented several ministries designed to enhance preaching, soul-saving, community outreach and faithful service.

“The church has marching orders to turn the world upside down through preaching, teaching, witnessing, and praying in a spirit of love and grace until Christ returns for His Church,” Cook often says.

Pastor Cook and his wife, Erica, have two sons, Dayonta and Jamarre, and a daughter, Jaden.