Emeritus at 90

Percy (John) Cooper was born in 1915.

He was not expected to live, but God had other plans!

His dear brother Leonard was the first in the family to confess his sin and be born into God’s family. Leonard’s changed life had an impact on Percy and three months later on 17th April 1932, he responded to Christ’s call, through the visiting ministry of Rev W.W.Martin, at St Saviours, Forest Gate. Amazingly, the girl who was to become His beloved sweetheart, Joan, actually came to faith that same night along with her mother. But it wasn’t till 1939 that they married.

As a young man he worked as a commercial artist and from the first began witnessing to colleagues and others where opportunity arose, as it often did.

In 1940, on his first wedding anniversary, Pastor was called up, and joined the Royal Army Service Corps as Lance Corporal. He applied for a commission and was selected to be a second Lieutenant in the RASC but was soon transferred to the Somerset Light Infantry and shipped off to Italy followed by a tour of Greece.

After he was demobilized, the family moved to Rayleigh where Joan’s health improved and Pastor first joined the ranks of the local lay preachers. Eastwood Baptist were sufficiently impressed with this young preacher that they approached him to become their Minister, a calling that he resisted till the Lord spoke, “This is of me, fight not against it.”

After 6 years at Eastwood, Pastor had to move jobs and became a Regional Sales Manager. This meant a move to the midlands, and through the area superintendent, Pastor came in contact with QBC. This turned out, as we know, to be God’s place for him to serve as minister for the next 34 years. After 18 years he retired from his firm in order to serve the church full time.

In 1988, with their three children all grown up, Joan went to be with Christ. “I haven’t lost my wife, I know where she is!” says Pastor.

In looking back over his life Pastor said, “I was an unprofitable servant, whatever has been done, the Lord has done it, not me.”

We thank God for such unprofitable servants!

Back to This Magazine's Index