Dr. Clarence J. Cooper, Jr., Pastor

Dr. Cooper was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina. His family moved to the New Albany area where he attended high school. It was while he was in high school that he first answered the call to ministry. He was ordained at Bethel Baptist Church in Union County, Mississippi in 1970. In 1972 Dr. Cooper received his BA degree from Blue Mountain College. His Masters of Divinity in 1979 and his Doctorate of Divinity in 1981 were both from Luther Rice Seminary. He has attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

He has pastored four churches prior to coming to Brandon Baptist. Dr. Cooper was at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Grenada, Mississippi for 23 years before answering the call to come to Brandon. He has served as past President of the Mississippi Baptist Convention and is presently serving on the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention. He has also served on numerous committees of both conventions. He has been an active member of the Grenada and North Central Associations.

Dr. Cooper states that he loves people, Jesus Christ, and preaching the Lord’s Word. He also enjoys getting involved in the community in which he lives and has been active in several local civic groups in the Grenada area. He hopes to be active in local Brandon groups.

He and his wife Darlene have two children, Clarence Cooper, II and Amy Harbison, Amy is married to David Harbison and they are the parents of the Coopers’ two grandchildren, Cooper and Allie.

Darlene has been very active in missions and has been on numerous mission trips, some of which she has led.

Dr. Cooper’s love of people shows through his ministry not only to those in his church, but also to everyone in the community.