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ABOUT TCM

Background Information on Tony and Lisa Cooke

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Tony and Lisa grew up in Kokomo, Indiana. They were married June 2, 1979, and are the parents of two adult children, Laura and Andrew.

Tony studied at Butler University in Indianapolis and later graduated from Rhema Bible Training Center in 1981. He also received degrees from North Central University (Bachelor’s in Church Ministries) and Liberty University (Master’s in Theological Studies/Church History).

Lisa attended Indiana University and Ball State University prior to attending and graduating from Rhema Bible Training College in 1980. She is also a graduate of the charter class of the Rhema School of Worship.

After their first year of Bible School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Cookes traveled to Australia where they preached and ministered for seven weeks in the southeastern part of the nation. Upon returning to the States in August of 1980 for Tony to attend his second year of Bible School, he was asked to be an assistant pastor at Evangelistic Temple (the Cookes had been janitors at this church the year before). Tony continued on that staff for more than three years before he transitioned to become a full-time instructor at Rhema Bible Training College.

Tony began his tenure as a staff member at Rhema in October of 1983 and continued serving there until May of 2002. In addition to teaching in the school, Tony served as an associate pastor of Rhema Bible Church (1985-2002), the USA National Director of Rhema’s Ministerial Association (1985-1998), Alumni Director (1987-1998), and the Dean of Rhema Bible Training College (1999-2002).

Tony taught the following courses at various times while an instructor at Rhema:

  • Introduction to Pastoral Care
  • Specialized Issues in Pastoral Care
  • Ministerial Excellence
  • Understanding Grace
  • Principles of Leadership
  • Church Growth Dynamics
  • The Ministry Gifts
  • The Role of the Associate Pastor
  • Helps and the Word
  • The Fruit of the Spirit
  • God’s Laws of Giving
  • Message Development and Delivery
  • Church Ordinances and Special Events
  • The Pastor and Administration
  • Christology
  • The Gospel of John
  • Bible Doctrines
  • Comparative Religions

In May of 2002, Tony and Lisa stepped into full-time traveling ministry with an assignment to strengthen churches and leaders. Ministry travels have taken them to more than thirty nations and to nearly all fifty states. He is the author of sixteen books, of which, various titles have been translated and published in more than a dozen other languages. He continues to write and travel extensively, teaching in churches, conference, and seminars. He also teaches in many online venues. The website for Tony Cooke Ministries—www.tonycooke.org—serves as a resource for church leaders and believers around the world.

Laura and Andrew, Tony and Lisa’s adult children, reside in Tulsa and Austin respectively, and both are involved in worship ministry. Laura graduated from Oral Roberts University with a bachelor’s degree (Mass Communications with minors in Worship Leadership and in Music Performance) and also with an MBA. She was on staff at ORU for three-and-a-half years as the Director of Worship Arts. Andrew graduated from the New Life School of Worship in Colorado Springs, and also attended Colorado Christian University, Oklahoma State University, and Charis Bible College.