Wisdom From A Statesman
Dr. James Cook and Dr. Stan Ponz
Every once in a while you have the opportunity to meet someone you’ve heard about, admired, and respected from a distance. As time goes on you accept that it may never happen this side of heaven. Then one day, you get a phone call that leads to the long awaited introduction. For me this is one of those days and what makes it even more special is that you and I can share it with you.
Dr. James Cook’s connection to Hawaii goes back to the founding of International Baptist Church in Nuuanu and subsequently International College and Graduate School. After 16 years in Hawaii he and his wife were called to pastor the historic First Baptist Church in San Jose, California. He and his wife have been missionaries in the Philippines and Sri Lanka pioneering ministries. He has traveled the world as a missionary statesman and pastor to pastors. All this from a boy who was born to missionary parents while serving in India where he learned to speak a number of Indian languages. He played semi-professional basketball in the US. He graduated from Northwestern College and Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Oregon.
Dr. Stan Ponz is the Senior Pastor of International Baptist Church, he is also heard each day on 99.5 KGU FM, “Make It Clear.” He’s pastored in Texas, New York and California and has taught at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois and Word of Life Bible Institute in Scroon Lake, New York. He graduated from Florida Bible Institute and Luther Rice Seminary.
“The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8