Our staff is here to serve you

Our leadership team recognizes the authority of God, and realizes that we are shepherds who serve under the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. We desire to devote ourselves to prayer, to the ministry of the Word and the care of our congregation. 

Apostle Leonard Cook, Co-Founder

Senior Pastors Leonard and Dr. Janet Cook planted River of Life Christian Center in the heart of Elkhart, Indiana, in 1996. Married 53 years, the Cooks raised three daughters and have 9 grandchildren and one great grandchild..
 
In 1980 Leonard accepted an ordination to the position of Elder and was licensed with the Indiana Ministerial Association. He later attended Indiana Christian University in South Bend and continues to expand his Christian education. As a third generation minister, Leonard possesses a strong mentoring and fathering anointing to position people in their call through guiding, teaching, and training.
 
Leonard remains involved in outreach to the inner city through prayer walking and prayer gatherings. His civic involvements have included Commissioner of the Elkhart Housing Authority, and he has served on several boards and committees in Elkhart and St. Joseph County. Like the apostles in the New Testament, he has helped oversee events in the church and city, serving as a dedicated Elder and Gatekeeper. Apostle Leonard is currently on sabbatical.

Dr. Janet Cook, Senior Pastor

Dr. Janet Cook is one of the leading Christian Counselors in our area. She graduated from Trinity Theological Seminary with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biblical Counseling. She completed her undergrad work and earned a MA in Christian Ministry at Indiana Christian University (ICU). Janet serves as the Dean of the River of Life School of Ministry as well as director of Healing Streams Counseling Ministry.
 
She is endorsed by The Institute of Motivational Living as a Certified Behavioral Consultant and is a Board Certified Pastoral Counselor with the American Association of Christian Counselors.

Pastor Venessa Cook

Executive Pastor Venessa is a member of the original team who planted River of Life in 1996.  She has served alongside Senior Pastor, Dr. Janet Cook and Apostle Leonard for over 28 years. Venessa is the mother of three beautiful children.  
 
As Executive Pastor Venessa is responsible for the daily operations in the church.   

Care Pastor Cheryl McIntosh

BIO

Worship Leader Jeffrey BumGardner

Jeffrey has been joyfully serving in music ministry for over 31 years and has been playing guitar for more than 55 years. He is passionate about using music to create an atmosphere where people can genuinely encounter God’s presence and grow in their faith. Jeffrey believes worship is not just about music, but about leading hearts toward a deeper relationship with Christ. 

He has been married to his wife, Patricia, for 39 wonderful years, and together they have three children—AJ, Alan, and Angela who are a continual source of joy and inspiration.

In addition to his ministry role, Jeffrey is a Senior Solutions Architect for a major Value-Added Reseller in the Dallas, Texas area. There, he designs complex Unified Collaboration and video conferencing systems for a wide range of enterprise clients.

Elders

Ron and Carole Denlinger
Sylvia Garza
Cheryl McIntosh

Deacons

Jerome McIntosh
Angela Moisenko
Cindy Granteer

Board Of Directors

Dr. Janet Cook
Venessa Cook
Jerome McIntosh
Angela Moisenko
Carol Piekunka
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