Colleen Cook
Columbus,USA
Summary
Dynamic pastor with a proven track record at New Hope Presbyterian Church, leading successful community initiatives and fostering inclusivity. Skilled in communication and multicultural engagement, I excel in guiding diverse congregations and facilitating meaningful worship experiences. Passionate about spiritual growth and committed to empowering others through pastoral care and education.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Pastor
New Hope Presbyterian Church
Columbus, GA
07.2019 - 05.2025
- Solo pastor in a small More Light Presbyterian church
- Presided over property sale and fusion of two small churches to create New Hope
- Moderated session, preached, taught, provided pastoral care, administered sacraments
- Served as Moderator of Committee for Preparation to Ministry for Flint River Presbytery
- Became one of the PCUSA’s 1001 New Worshipping Communities, receiving Seed, Investment, and Building Grants
- Participated in city-wide racial reconciliation curriculum “Be the Bridge” in connection with St. Mary’s Rd. UMC, a majority African American congregation
- Transitioned to Hybrid Livestreamed Worship
- Served as Small Group Leader at Montreat Music and Worship Conference 2023, 2024
- Reader for Ordination Exams in area of Worship and the Sacraments, 2023
- Member of Columbus GA Mayor’s Clergy Council
Chaplain Intern
Atlanta VA Medical Center
Decatur, GA
09.2018 - 05.2019
- Engaged in Clinical Pastoral Education curriculum
- Served as chaplain in dialysis unit, surgical ICU, psychiatric unit, and a medical floor
- Processed educational and clinical experience with colleagues in interpersonal setting
Intern
Office of Worship Life, Columbia Theological Seminary
Decatur, GA
09.2018 - 12.2018
- Planned worship, wrote liturgy, and led worship with Office of Worship Life team
- Advised senior chapel teams
- Facilitated Lectionary Study Group
Intern
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
Tucker, GA
06.2017 - 08.2017
- Preached and led worship
- Developed vespers services
- Chaperoned Middle School youth at Montreat conference
- Participated in session and committee meetings
Speech-Language Pathologist
Athens Regional Medical Center
Athens, GA
12.2011 - 05.2015
- Diagnosed and treated swallowing disorders and acquired speech/language disorders in adult population
- Served population with high poverty, high incidence of substance abuse disorders
Member/Volunteer
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Athens, GA
01.2011 - 01.2015
- Coordinated Covenant Connection, midweek children’s program
- Grew program from 6 to 22 children
- Enlisted/equipped 25 adult volunteers
- Developed curriculum, instituted service learning program
- Served as member of Christian Education ministry team, member of Elder Nominating Committee
Speech-Language Pathologist
Clarke County School District
Athens, GA
08.2011 - 12.2011
- Worked with middle school and elementary school students with a range of speech-language disorders
Speech-Language Pathologist
Gainesville City School District
Gainesville, GA
08.2007 - 06.2011
- Managed a large caseload of students in a diverse elementary school, having a wide range of severity of speech-language and swallowing disorders
- Worked extensively with Spanish Language Interpreters in school with high population of English Language Learners
- Integrated speech-language goals into International Baccalaureate School curriculum
- Led interdisciplinary meetings with teachers, administrators, parents
Speech-Language Pathologist
Northeast GA Medical Center
Gainesville, GA
08.2004 - 09.2007
- Worked in Outpatient Pediatric, Acute Care, and Subacute Rehab units
- Diagnosed and treated children, taught parents to do therapeutic work with their own children
- Led State Level Speech Pathology conference about therapy with Spanish language clients
- Taught Lighthouse Strategy Workshop to Subacute Rehab therapists and nurses
- Worked with interdisciplinary team of therapists, physicians, and nurses
Speech-Language Pathologist
Hall County School District
Gainesville, GA
12.2006 - 05.2007
- Identified, diagnosed, and developed IEPs for preschoolers
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Clarke County School District
Athens, GA
08.1994 - 06.2001
- Used High/Scope Curriculum for student-guided play-based learning in inner-city classroom
- Led PACT (parent and child together) meetings for collaborative learning, taught workshop on strategies for other teachers in system
- Consulted with classroom startup for classroom materials and library purchasing
- Served as consultant on GA Dept of Energy Project: Flicker the Energy Private Eye
5th Grade Teacher
Duval County School District
Jacksonville, FL
08.1993 - 06.1994
- Developed new curriculum at a challenging inner-city school
Education
Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Practical Theology - concentration in Worship
Columbia Theological Seminary
Decatur, GA05.2019
Master of Education - Speech-Language Pathology
University of GA
Athens, GA06.2004
Bachelor of Science in Education - Early Childhood Education
University of GA
Athens, GA06.1993
Skills
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Pastoral, clinical, and educational experience with people across the age range and intergenerationally
- Multicultural competence, experience with and love for LGBTQ community
- Facility for discussing end of life and performing meaningful funerals
- Flourish in ecumenical settings
- Commitment to full inclusion of persons with disabilities
- Spiritual maturity, ability to guide others in exploration of God’s gifts
Certification
- Minister of the Word and Sacrament in the PC(USA), ordained 2019
- American Speech Language and Hearing Association Certificate of Clinical Competence 2005-2020
- Affiliate of ASHA SIG 1: Child Language Learning and Education 2009-2011, 2016-2020
- Affiliate of ASHA SIG 13: Swallowing Disorders 2014-2015
Publications
- Price, L.H., Hendricks, S., &Cook, C. (2010); “Incorporating computer-aided language sample analysis into clinical practice;” Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in the Schools, 41:206-222. (Data collection included human subjects. Received training from IRB and permission)
- Cook, Colleen (2018); “Longest Night Service of Wholeness;” Call to Worship, 52.2: 54-56.
- Cook, Colleen (2022); Preaching Columns for Volume 56 of Call to Worship, volumes 56:2, 56:3, 56:4 on subjects of Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry
Proclamation
- Preaching Engagements at the following churches in no particular order:
- Covenant Presbyterian Church, Athens, GA
- Circle of Grace Community Church, Tucker, GA
- Friendship Presbyterian Church, Athens, GA
- St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Tucker, GA
- CTS Chapel, three times while student, and twice as graduate, Decatur, GA
- Central Presbyterian Church, Athens, GA
- St. Mary’s Road UMC, Columbus, GA
- All Saint’s Presbyterian Church, Columbus, GA
- Morningside Presbyterian Church, Columbus, GA
- New Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, GA
- Flint River Presbytery, Albany, GA
- Hartwell First Presbyterian Church, Hartwell, GA
Radio and Media
Day One Radio, November 21, 2021: Sermon: "What Is Truth?" and interview
Voices of Americans, May 3, 2025: "Preaching Hope and Healing in Urgent Times with Melissa Sexton and Mental Wealth Story Team
Timeline
Pastor
New Hope Presbyterian Church
07.2019 - 05.2025
Chaplain Intern
Atlanta VA Medical Center
09.2018 - 05.2019
Intern
Office of Worship Life, Columbia Theological Seminary
09.2018 - 12.2018
Intern
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
06.2017 - 08.2017
Speech-Language Pathologist
Athens Regional Medical Center
12.2011 - 05.2015
Speech-Language Pathologist
Clarke County School District
08.2011 - 12.2011
Member/Volunteer
Covenant Presbyterian Church
01.2011 - 01.2015
Speech-Language Pathologist
Gainesville City School District
08.2007 - 06.2011
Speech-Language Pathologist
Hall County School District
12.2006 - 05.2007
Speech-Language Pathologist
Northeast GA Medical Center
08.2004 - 09.2007
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Clarke County School District
08.1994 - 06.2001
5th Grade Teacher
Duval County School District
08.1993 - 06.1994
Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Practical Theology - concentration in Worship
Columbia Theological Seminary
Master of Education - Speech-Language Pathology
University of GA
Bachelor of Science in Education - Early Childhood Education
University of GA
Similar Profiles
Fiona NorthFiona North
Church Nursery Coordinator at Hope Presbyterian ChurchChurch Nursery Coordinator at Hope Presbyterian Church
Mckenna JohansenMckenna Johansen
Childcare Provider at Hope Presbyterian ChurchChildcare Provider at Hope Presbyterian Church
Dana M. ShankleDana M. Shankle
CFO at Hope Presbyterian ChurchCFO at Hope Presbyterian Church
Jonathan PriceJonathan Price
Part Time Paramedic at Polk County EMSPart Time Paramedic at Polk County EMS
Shakirra StinsonShakirra Stinson
Team Member at Hyundai transysTeam Member at Hyundai transys