MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Adrian Cook | Driven For Mission This native Texan and Moderator of the Outreach Ministry Committee is helping to make a difference not only in our city, but around the world. How did HPPC become your church home?
Tell us about your work outside of the church.
After growing up in Midland and Lubbock, I graduated in 2011 from Texas Tech and then landed in Dallas. My father encouraged me to visit HPPC based on his fond memories of this church while living in the area. I joined a year later, because of the depth of preaching and faithful exposition of the Scriptures. Jay Lee and Nelson Bell also helped me get connected in community that has created many long-lasting and fruitful relationships.
I have been with The Rees-Jones Foundation for six years. We support nonprofits that work with children and families. I am blessed to work with Christian colleagues, several of whom attend HPPC. The spirit of the Foundation is to serve Jesus Christ, so I am very fortunate to work where I do.
How do you serve at HPPC? I feel privileged to be serving my second term as an elder – especially during this time in the life of the church. My participation in the Benevolence Committee gave me a great introduction to the local organizations that HPPC serves. That led me to the Outreach Committee, which I am currently moderating. This experience also directly led to my service on the board of Interfaith Housing.
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What excites you about HPPC right now? I think that HPPC is now in a denominational home (ECO) where there is opportunity to be connectional with other congregations in a way that we have not yet experienced. As a new denomination, there is a need for leadership, and this matches up well with one of HPPC’s primary gifts.
As a missions-driven church, what ways do you see God working through our ministries? Globally and locally, justice has emerged as a leading issue of concern. I believe
that the Christian church generally, and HPPC specifically, needs to be a leader in identifying issues and populations that need to be redeemed to God’s plan and purpose. We, the church, should be the leader on issues like justice. The church should be identifying people who are suffering and should be active in bringing them hope. Church planting is also an area that I find most exciting. The larger trend is for fewer people to be engaged in church, but there are people thirsty for the Gospel, and church plants are an effective way of reaching people. The Chinese church plant is a great example, and I have seen the fruit of it. I have met several Chinese students in my economics program at SMU who attend the Chinese service and have been impacted by the ministry of Rev. Ben Wang. I look forward to seeing church planting flourish. Go to hppc.org/outreach to learn more or to serve alongside Adrian in HPPC’s Outreach Ministry.