Jerry and Susan Cole
FIELD
After the earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010, Jerry felt compelled to go and help. During that first trip, Jerry could not get out of his head the thought, “There should not be a place like this in our world.” The next thought was a clarion call to Jerry. “So, what are you going to do about it?”
The single most important thing for good health is water. While Jerry was in Haiti, he remembers the medical team coming back with the same comments, “We can’t help! Almost all of the problems we see are due to dehydration. We need 5,000 gallons of water a day.”
Jerry’s vision is to do all he can to bring developing countries sustainable drinking water by raising awareness and money in the United States. Haiti is the poorest nation in the Americas, and he is starting there.
He is an advocate for the church and its pastors in Haiti. Jerry loves the church because it’s the vehicle by which God brings salvation and hope to the world. Jerry, through water projects, wants to foster church-to-church partnerships: churches in America forming long-term relationships with churches in developing countries.
FAITH
Jerry came to Christ at the age of 19. Up to that point his life was defined by sex, drugs and rock and roll. After several encounters with genuine Christians over about a year’s time, Jerry received Christ as Savior and Lord. He had a real hunger for God’s Word. He attended a Torchbearers Bible School in Texas, a Bible institute in Sacramento, California, took correspondence courses through Moody Bible Institute, attended the University of Nevada, Reno and finally finished his B.A. in Bible and Pastoral Ministry at Arizona College of the Bible. Jerry has been a youth pastor, mission staff with Young Life, a church planter and pastor with Next Generation Churches/CBA during more than 25 years of ministry.
Susan came to Christ as a result of what was called a miscarriage by her doctors, but was in fact the birth of her first child. Leta was 25 weeks premature. Through the ups and downs of that time, Susan realized she needed Christ in her life. Through the loving support of two pastors and her Aunt Jane, Susan gave her life to Christ.
Susan has a B.A. in Elementary Education from San Jose State University and an M.A. in Marriage and Family Counseling from the University of Nevada, Reno. She says her ministry has always been to her husband and children. Without her, Jerry could not do what he does.
FAMILY
Jerry and Susan have four adult children. Leta is married to Michael Medina, Jonathan is married to Jenn, Jessica is single, and Stephanie is married to Reuben Stringer. They have two grandchildren, Cadence Stringer and Miles Medina.
