Reverend Sandra Clay – Pastor
Sandra is a life-long United Methodist with roots in both the Parkway Village (Memphis) home church where she was raised and in the small country congregation that raised her parents in rural West Tennessee. That rich and varied spiritual heritage helped prepare her for sharing her love for God in diverse settings throughout her 30 years of pastoral ministry.
Sandra has served rural, suburban and county seat congregations; she has also served on the legacy Memphis Annual Conference Cabinet with watch-care responsibilities for nearly 100 congregations, ministries, and mission churches in the Memphis area and for their pastors.
Sandra is married to her high school sweetheart, Terry; Butch the Beagle rounds out their family with much joy. Together Sandra and Terry enjoy relaxing at the beach or in the mountains. Sandra loves a good story whether she’s hearing it or telling it; she loves the process of creating – everything from new recipes and canning, to art, especially card-making, and more. And, she loves a good, wise word! One of her favorite quotes? “A bulldog can whip a skunk, but what’s the point?”
Monica Cox – Office Manager
Monica and her husband, Randy, have been members of Cook’s since 2001. They live in Lebanon and have two grown children, Savannah, and Todd, and two grandchildren, Michael, and Willa.
They love spending time with their family, especially the grandchildren.
Monica has a heart for listening, loving, and serving the Cook’s congregation, as well as our community.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
Monica worked many years in the insurance industry specializing in Commercial Insurance. Due to an ailing mom and a need for a more flexible work schedule she joined the staff at Cook’s in 2005. She now wears many hats including Office Manager, Financial Secretary, Nursery Coordinator and Membership Secretary. She is the “go to person” at Cook’s. She also serves as Vice-President for the local chapter of PAUMCS (Professional Administrators of the United Methodist Connectional Structure) and is a member of The Church Network.
Rick DeJonge –
Director of Music Ministries
Rick is a graduate of the prestigious Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television Program from the University of Southern California and holds a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Music from Western Michigan University.
Prior to Rick’s music career taking off he spent thirteen years as a public-school music teacher and administrator.
Rick has worked in churches as both an accompanist and music director since 1987 in Michigan, Indiana, California, Texas, and Tennessee. Rick writes and arranges much of the music for the vocal choirs and hand bell choirs, including a song with orchestra for Christian singer Sandi Patti. Rick is a self-taught piano player and loves playing whenever he can. He studied percussion with famous Chicago jazz drummer, Bobby Christian.
Rick’s full-time job keeps him busy in the music world working as an Artist Relations Manager for over 25 years. He works with over 200 artists representing several different brands. Rick is also an accomplished film and classical composer and continues to compose and score several works a year including full orchestra pieces and cues for both Disney and Netflix. Many of his pieces can be heard online and through his website.
Rick has been happily married for over 25 years to his wife Krista and has a son Ian who also works in the studio/recording industry and a daughter, Aria who is a Registered Nurse. Rick hopes to continue serving the Lord through music as long as possible.
Eric Coomer –
Director of Modern Worship
Eric Coomer is the director of modern worship and media arts at Cook’s. With his wife Daphne, he has two children, Jackson and Evan. In addition to his work at Cook’s, Eric is a singer/songwriter with several projects available on Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming platforms.
Growing up in Kentucky, Eric was the child of a United Methodist pastor and a lauded elementary music teacher. Music was always in the Coomer household and Eric has been writing and performing since he was just twelve years old.
Learn more about Eric at www.ericcoomer.com.
