Name: John L. Cooper
Position in band: Bassist, Lead Vocalist
Birthday: April 7
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Family: Korey (wife), Alexandria (daughter)
Previous jobs before Skillet: janitor at my church
Education: 3 years at University of Memphis
Sports / Activities in High School: Basketball, student gov't, marching band
Hobbies: Sewing, Shopping, Collecting Toys & Arcade Games
Favorite Things to do on days off:
Movies, Shopping
Guilty Pleasure: Prince
Favorite Food: Fajitas, lasagna
Why did you give your life to Jesus:
My parents are Christians, so I grew up believing
in God. I became a Christian when I was 5. I did not understand everything about God obviously, but I knew that it meant that
my life was given to God. Even as a kid there was nothing else to live for. I always wanted to live for God but I did not
always know how. My mom died from cancer during my freshmen year of high school. She was always the person that I looked up
to because she was so in love with God. I didn't always live for God, and I had major compromise in my life. My life changed
when I was 18 at a worship service. I had grown up in a very traditional church and setting. I went to this spirit-filled
church (or whatever you call it!) and God changed my life. It was the first time that I had ever worshipped God. I was filled
with the power and presence of God that day. That is also when the fire of God came in my life and started burning things
away that weren't about Him. I met a man that started teaching me about God. I knew that I wanted to live for God, but I had
so many areas to grow in. After about 2 years I finally had my life turned around and was living consistently for God. I have
a passion to show people that there is more to a relationship with God than going to church on Sundays.
Something God has taught you recently:
Most of the Christians that I know that are
really living "in the world" are also compromised. I believe that God wants to give us power and release power in His people.
This year I prayed that God would give me power in my life to see people healed and demons cast out and people to get saved
from it. Jesus saw this every day, and we barely ever see it. I felt that God was saying to me, "to really see Me move in
power in people's lives, you have to be in the world! But if you've not been trained in the Word and prepared to know Him
radically, then you are not going to make it." This year I want to be in the world and be a radical voice for Jesus in my
generation.
Who's had the biggest influence on
your life: one of my pastors named Rick Miller
What is your favorite thing about doing
what you do: Seeing people cry when they give their
life to God at a show
Gear:
Trace Elliot head & speakers
GMP Bass Guitars
GHS Strings
Mesa V-twin Pre-Amp
Crybaby Wah
Electro-Harmonix Bass Micro Synth
DOD Grunge Pedal
