George Cope was born into an Assemblies of God pastor's home where he learned to know
God through dedicated parents who 'practiced what they preached!' A rich Pentecostal heritage
has become his most valued possession as a husband, father, and ministry leader.
Growing up, Rev. Cope struggled with Dyslexia, a learning disability that caused family
and emotional frustration. With no known professional help at that time, only God could
make a difference. At the age of thirteen, during a time of prayer at church youth camp,
God called Rev. Cope into full-time ministry. It was then his life turned around because
God's call and supernatural healing of mind and emotions.
Upon completion of high school, Reverend Cope attended Central Bible College, Springfield,
MO where he received a B.A. degree in Biblical Studies.
His ministry began in Waukegan, Illinois where he served as Youth Pastor for two and
one half years while furthering his studies at Trinity Seminary. Divinely directed, Rev.
Cope and his family assumed the pastorate of Belmont Evangelical Church in the inner city
of Chicago. For nine years God grew a multi-ethnic church reaching twenty-one different
ethnic groups, as well as mothering a Spanish congregation that today exceeds the size
of the original congregation. Abundant Life Christian Center in Alton, Illinois then invited
the Copes to lead their Body. Believing it to be God’s direction, the Copes spent
the next six years in downstate Illinois.
When in Illinois, George Cope served in many areas of district life, including Sectional
Youth Representative, Alternate Presbyter of the Chicago Section and Presbyter of the
Metro-North Section. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors for Chicago
Teen Challenge, of which he was chairman for five years.
Most recently, Rev. Cope served as Senior Pastor of Bethany Assembly of God in Agawam,
MA for 9 ½ years. Bethany is a strong Pentecostal church in a starving spiritual environment.
Weekly, spiritual things happened at the altars of Bethany. With ministries of all kinds
reaching and caring for humanity, Bethany is a bright light in a dark valley. Sunday mornings,
he was heard on the Bethany Hour, a thirty-minute program aired on secular radio touching
the Pioneer Valley. “When God called me to be a pastor, He gave me a heart for people!
My LOVE in life is for God and His people!”
Along with normal pastoral duties, Reverend Cope has traveled extensively outside the
Continental United States in ministry. Recently, two trips to the Former USSR have resulted
in establishing two churches and one orphanage. Several past missions trips include Jamaica,
Haiti, Europe, India, Sri Lanka, and the Middle East.
On March 28, 2000 he was elected President of Zion Bible Institute in Barrington, Rhode
Island. Zion is the newest official AG school and it’s sole purpose is to train
pastors, evangelists and missionaries. He assumed his new responsibilities in June 2000.
For the past thirty years, Rev. Cope has been married to his wife Cheryl and they have
one daughter, Jessyca, who also graduated from Central Bible College and is now on staff
at ZBI.
For the Spiritual Emphasis Week Schedule, see the January
2002 Communiqué.
