Pastor teaches church to forgive and love everyone

Church survives despite break-ins and robberies

When walking into Jordan Grove Missionary Baptist Church,  the alarm immediately signals your presence.
It has not always been that way. Three years ago, the church was robbed and burglarized in the same week, which is the reason for the alarm system.
During the robbery, eight church members were robbed at gun point, while attending an usher board meeting.  The robber stole the pastor’s car and the church’s money. There haven’t been any robberies since the security system has been set up. Although, just a year ago, a criminal vandalized the church bus after unsuccessfully trying to break in the church.
Through it all, Rev. Douglas Cook, Sr. has continued to boldly lead his congregation of more than 200 members for nearly 45 years. The Bible says things like that would come, according to Cook.
“[We] can’t leave [the violence] but [we] have to cope with it,” Cook said. “[We] have to keep praying, talking to God and fighting.”

The violence has quieted down a bit, Cook said. He and all members pray that God “keeps” him, the church, the neighbors and all of the community safe.
He said they must remember to “pray and not faint.” Through the years, no obstacle has stopped Rev. Cook from wisely leading his church.
“It’s like life; there’s ups and downs, but you keep on holding it and keeping it together,” he said. “It all works out good if you have people praying and asking God to keep [the church] together and keep us close knitted.”
Pastor lives by
the Word
Cook has led by example and taught many church members to forgive those who have wronged them and has also taught them to love their enemies, according to several Jordan Grove church members.
The church members know that their pastor is a God-sent man and they believe that the church is covered because of their faith and their prayers.
Cook said it is the devil’s job to try to stop us from doing what we are supposed to do.  The devil can’t get into heaven so he doesn’t want us to get in either, according to Cook.
“Rev. Cook won’t let the devil win,” a church member said.

By Malika A. Wright
mwright@miamitimesonline.com