JWC Ministries
Ministering the Gospel in song and word, reaching out to the lost, and encouraging the church.
JW & Retha Cooper P.O. Box 897 Richton, MS 39476
Bio
I wrestled with this page for while. I couldn't figure out if it would be better to write something and make it sound like someone else wrote it; or just have someone else write it. Then it dawned me...who better to tell you about me, than me.
I was born July 7, 1967 in Richton, MS to Mary Helen and JW Cooper, two of the hardest-nosed and loving parents anyone could have. In my childhood we attended East Side Baptist and Good Hope Baptist, in Richton. I was a Boy Scout, member of the High School band, and sometimes troublemaker. I like to say that in those days I had a "drug" problem as my Mom DRUG me to church. I didn't understand it then, but I am thankful now. Proverbs 22:6 in action.
Sometime around 1987 I bought my first guitar, and paid the notes by cooking fries at the local Ward's. I had an interest in guitar from an early age, but never had owned a "real" one. I had a banjo and a harmonica that I could make a melody on...but I really wanted a guitar. I will never forget Mr. "Boots" Jeffcoats showing me a few chords in the service station across the street. I thanked him for the chords and told him I wanted to learn the rest of them on my own. And thus, a new passion was born. After toying with college and a few different occupations, I settled into the oilfield where I am still working...currently rotating to and from the North Slope of Alaska.
In 1991 I joined Loop Road Baptist where I attended and served faithfully, singing and writing songs as the Lord gave them to me. After a few years (here comes the brutally honest part) I backslid. It wasn't God's fault...it wasn't the fault of the church...it was all my fault. For the next 7 or so years, I continued down a path of my own choosing, often seeing areas where God was blessing me regardless...but never acknowledging Him.
When the situations in my life changed to the point of no return in 2001, I prayed and found Jesus waiting right where I had left Him. He graciously and mercifully accepted me back into the fold and reassured me that my calling was still valid. After searching for the church He would have me to serve, I was led to First Assembly of God. I had visited on a couple of occasions and had a lot of admiration and respect for Sr. Pastor Scott Morris. I was asked to attend a Ministers Restoration Conference in 2004 and when we went around the room introducing ourselves and naming our home church, my response went something like this: "My name is JW Cooper and my home church is....well, it's First Assembly". I officially joined one year later and have been blessed to be a part ever since.
I am married to Retha (Newsome) of the Strengthford Community in Wayne County and we have two awesome daughters, Morgan and Mallorie. JWC Ministries is becoming a family ministry and in the future this will become more and more apparent. Presently Morgan takes care of product and takes piano lessons, and Mallorie wants to play drums or guitar. Retha keeps my clothes wrinkle-free, helps me set up equipment, and is the best prayer warrior I have. She will soon be tending the soundboard or singing with me...or both...we'll see where that goes.
This calling has enabled us to travel around the South and meet many interesting people. We have been able to share praise reports, prayer requests, and lots of stories about how good God is. We have shared the stage with some of our favorite groups, including The Perrys, The Maharreys, The Kingsmen, Brian Free and Assurance, Ricky Atkinson and Compassion, The Dove Brothers, Kevin Spencer and Friends, The Blackwoods, The Speers, The Whisnants, Heritage Road, The New Hinsons, The Florida Boys, and my good friends Keri Len Spivey, Paul's Journey, The Stanleys, and Randy Miller.
I have been a part of the MSQCA (MS Quartet Convention Association) for several years and I am honored that my friends, the Oxenriders trust me to help with the house band when I am able to attend. I have been nominated for songwriter, soloist, and musician of the year on a number of occasions and have brought home a trophy a few times, ha ha. (Private Joke between Jason Oxendrider, Tommy Moseley and Me)
We don't do this for trophies and accolades...we do it for the love of the calling and love of our Savior. Being recognized by one's peers is simply icing on the proverbial cake.
We travel when and wherever necessary to minister when and wherever possible. Our mission is two-fold. The first being the obvious "reaching the lost world for Jesus Christ". However I find that when singing in a church to a house full of "church folk" they often need something different. The secondary focus of our ministry is encouraging the church. Yes church, WE win! It's all in the back of the Book!! Be encouraged!!!
The Lord continues to give me songs and spoken "nuggets" as they are called. I believe in passing them along as He directs, allows, and anoints. We do not travel on any "set fee" and depend solely on our faith in God and in Christian people. In other words, we will travel on nothing more than the promise of a love-offering. True enough, on long distance journeys, travel arrangements and lodging are greatly appreciated...but we will never let material things stand in the way if God has directed. Retha and I have found that the more we give, the more we are blessed...and we have met many congregations in our travels who believe the same way.
I hope you have learned a bit about me if you didn't already know. I am a sinner saved by Grace. Nothing more than animated dirt. I have a calling and a mission and I genuinely love working in it. My family is blessed beyond measure and so much more than we deserve. If you would like to know more, give us a call or email and we'll fill in the blanks.
God bless you always!
JW
I was born July 7, 1967 in Richton, MS to Mary Helen and JW Cooper, two of the hardest-nosed and loving parents anyone could have. In my childhood we attended East Side Baptist and Good Hope Baptist, in Richton. I was a Boy Scout, member of the High School band, and sometimes troublemaker. I like to say that in those days I had a "drug" problem as my Mom DRUG me to church. I didn't understand it then, but I am thankful now. Proverbs 22:6 in action.
Sometime around 1987 I bought my first guitar, and paid the notes by cooking fries at the local Ward's. I had an interest in guitar from an early age, but never had owned a "real" one. I had a banjo and a harmonica that I could make a melody on...but I really wanted a guitar. I will never forget Mr. "Boots" Jeffcoats showing me a few chords in the service station across the street. I thanked him for the chords and told him I wanted to learn the rest of them on my own. And thus, a new passion was born. After toying with college and a few different occupations, I settled into the oilfield where I am still working...currently rotating to and from the North Slope of Alaska.
In 1991 I joined Loop Road Baptist where I attended and served faithfully, singing and writing songs as the Lord gave them to me. After a few years (here comes the brutally honest part) I backslid. It wasn't God's fault...it wasn't the fault of the church...it was all my fault. For the next 7 or so years, I continued down a path of my own choosing, often seeing areas where God was blessing me regardless...but never acknowledging Him.
When the situations in my life changed to the point of no return in 2001, I prayed and found Jesus waiting right where I had left Him. He graciously and mercifully accepted me back into the fold and reassured me that my calling was still valid. After searching for the church He would have me to serve, I was led to First Assembly of God. I had visited on a couple of occasions and had a lot of admiration and respect for Sr. Pastor Scott Morris. I was asked to attend a Ministers Restoration Conference in 2004 and when we went around the room introducing ourselves and naming our home church, my response went something like this: "My name is JW Cooper and my home church is....well, it's First Assembly". I officially joined one year later and have been blessed to be a part ever since.
I am married to Retha (Newsome) of the Strengthford Community in Wayne County and we have two awesome daughters, Morgan and Mallorie. JWC Ministries is becoming a family ministry and in the future this will become more and more apparent. Presently Morgan takes care of product and takes piano lessons, and Mallorie wants to play drums or guitar. Retha keeps my clothes wrinkle-free, helps me set up equipment, and is the best prayer warrior I have. She will soon be tending the soundboard or singing with me...or both...we'll see where that goes.
This calling has enabled us to travel around the South and meet many interesting people. We have been able to share praise reports, prayer requests, and lots of stories about how good God is. We have shared the stage with some of our favorite groups, including The Perrys, The Maharreys, The Kingsmen, Brian Free and Assurance, Ricky Atkinson and Compassion, The Dove Brothers, Kevin Spencer and Friends, The Blackwoods, The Speers, The Whisnants, Heritage Road, The New Hinsons, The Florida Boys, and my good friends Keri Len Spivey, Paul's Journey, The Stanleys, and Randy Miller.
I have been a part of the MSQCA (MS Quartet Convention Association) for several years and I am honored that my friends, the Oxenriders trust me to help with the house band when I am able to attend. I have been nominated for songwriter, soloist, and musician of the year on a number of occasions and have brought home a trophy a few times, ha ha. (Private Joke between Jason Oxendrider, Tommy Moseley and Me)
We don't do this for trophies and accolades...we do it for the love of the calling and love of our Savior. Being recognized by one's peers is simply icing on the proverbial cake.
We travel when and wherever necessary to minister when and wherever possible. Our mission is two-fold. The first being the obvious "reaching the lost world for Jesus Christ". However I find that when singing in a church to a house full of "church folk" they often need something different. The secondary focus of our ministry is encouraging the church. Yes church, WE win! It's all in the back of the Book!! Be encouraged!!!
The Lord continues to give me songs and spoken "nuggets" as they are called. I believe in passing them along as He directs, allows, and anoints. We do not travel on any "set fee" and depend solely on our faith in God and in Christian people. In other words, we will travel on nothing more than the promise of a love-offering. True enough, on long distance journeys, travel arrangements and lodging are greatly appreciated...but we will never let material things stand in the way if God has directed. Retha and I have found that the more we give, the more we are blessed...and we have met many congregations in our travels who believe the same way.
I hope you have learned a bit about me if you didn't already know. I am a sinner saved by Grace. Nothing more than animated dirt. I have a calling and a mission and I genuinely love working in it. My family is blessed beyond measure and so much more than we deserve. If you would like to know more, give us a call or email and we'll fill in the blanks.
God bless you always!
JW
Photo by Hollie Nicholson Photography