The Defender Podcast | Multi-Ethnicity and the Kingdom of God with Jason Cook

February 27, 2019 • 25 Minutes

Multi-Ethnicity and the Kingdom of God with Jason Cook

Join us as Herbie Newell talks with Jason Cook about a range of church body issues including multi-ethnic worship, adoption, and why social justice is a church issue.

Jason was born and raised in Birmingham, AL before moving to Suwanee, GA where he would finish high school. Upon graduation, Jason signed a football scholarship at The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) where he would be a 4 year starter and 4 year letter winner at Fullback. Though raised in a home that taught him to love and fear God, it was not until his sophomore year at Ole Miss when he began to walk faithfully with Jesus. In 2009 Jason enjoyed a brief stint with the Baltimore Ravens through the pre-season before embracing the call to ministry.

Since college, Jason has been actively involved in traveling the country preaching God’s word in demographically diverse environments. He has also been involved in helping to plant churches, including his pivotal role in helping to build Iron City Church (Birmingham, AL). It was here that Jason faithfully led, taught, and shepherded a young congregation to embrace the ideal of multi-ethnic ministry in one of America’s most segregated cities.

Jason holds an M.Div from Beeson Divinity School. It was during his time there that he met his beautiful bride, Courtney. They were married in 2013 and have two delightful children: Charlie and Cager. The Cook’s live and breath discipleship, hospitality, and service and look to infuse those life pillars in Memphis.

Jason joins the Fellowship Memphis team as an Associate Pastor of Preaching. Concurrent with this post, he is also an editor with the Gospel Coalition where he contributes to the Faith and Work initiative.

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Creators and Guests

Host

Herbie Newell

Herbie Newell serves as the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services, holds an MBA in Accounting from Samford University and brings years of experience from his work as an independent auditor at WAKM Companies, LLC. Serving as Lifeline's Executive Director since 2003, Herbie has significantly expanded international outreach, obtained licensure in 17 states, and led the establishment of the foster care arm. A passionate advocate, he co-founded (un)adopted in 2009, focusing on equipping orphaned children with life skills for community transformation. Herbie, also the author of "Image Bearers: Shifting from Pro-birth to Pro-Life," emphasizes that being pro-life extends beyond opposing abortion, urging a broader ethic that includes fighting for racial equality and embracing every individual with the love of Christ. Herbie and his wife, Ashley, reside in Birmingham, Alabama, and are the parents to three children.

Host

Rick Morton

As Vice President of Engagement, Rick Morton shepherds the ministry’s outreach to individual, church, and organizational ministry partners as well as the ministry’s commitment to publishing resources that aid families and churches in discipling orphans and vulnerable children. Prior to Lifeline, Rick served for 15 years as a college and seminary professor, and he also served local churches in Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi. He is an accomplished writer and sought after speaker. Most notably, Rick is the co-author of the popular Orphanology: Awakening to Gospel-centered Adoption and Orphan Care and the author of KnowOrphans: Mobilizing the Church for Global Orphanology. Rick and his lovely wife Denise have been married for over 32 years, and they have 3 children, all of whom joined their family through international adoption. God has continued to grow their family, and he now enjoys the role of “Doc” to his precious granddaughter!