Tony and Lisa grew up in Kokomo, Indiana. 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, Tony was asked to be an assistant pastor at Evangelistic Temple (Tony and Lisa 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 begin his tenure on 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 ReligionsIn 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. In addition, Tony has published a dozen books, with certain titles having been translated into nine foreign languages. Please make the word books an active link to the bookstore. 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, both reside in Tulsa and are both involved in worship ministry. Laura graduated from Oral Roberts University with both a bachelor’s degree (Mass Communications with minors in Worship Leadership and in Music Performance). 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 and Oklahoma State University.