New church’s aim – keep families together

Published 5:32 am Thursday, August 24, 2006

By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Cassopolis Vigilant
CASSOPOLIS – "We really want families to stay together," said Sallyann Cooper. With her husband the Rev. Ron Cooper, the two started the Word of Life Family Worship Center, 810 E. State St., Cassopolis, about seven months ago.
After stripping and painting, a sanctuary is ready along with classrooms – "thanks to many donations," she added.
For the youth, they offer membership in Awana, an international, nonprofit organization which reaches children with the Gospel of Christ and encourages the youth to serve Him.
They currently have four clubs., divided into cubbies for those 3 to 4 years; Sparks, kindergarten to second grade; T &Ts for third to sixth and Trek for seventh and eighth graders.
The clubs meet from September to April at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday evening.
Presently they are looking to enroll new members. Pre-registration from Awana will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 30, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The $20 fee is to cover the cost of uniforms, handouts and books, Sallyann said.
Besides the Awana clubs, Word of Life has services on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. and Bible study and children's activities on Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m.
Sallyann directs a mime and drama team for ages three to adult, which presents programs on special occasions.
Realizing their focus is on the family, they also host a family social event once a month, such as skating, bowling or dinner together.
The couple received their training at Anchorage Bay Evangelistic Association in New Baltimore and at Oakland City Bible College in Flint. They previously had a pastorate at the Dowagiac General Baptist Church.
The Rev. Cooper is currently employed full time as a bus driver for the Cassopolis Public Schools. His wife is the office and accounting manager for Berrybrook Enterprises of Dowagiac.
They have six children: James, Eric, Dawn, Brian, Shannan and Ronee; 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
For more information about the church or the Awana club, call (269) 445-2955.