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Dr. Russell Cook and his wife, Marsha, live in Shawnee, Oklahoma and have three married children. They have three grandchildren. Dr. Cook and Marsha are members of Immanuel Baptist Church, Shawnee.

Dr. Cook served as pastor for 25 years in Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma, before being called as Director of Missions for Pottawatomie-Lincoln Baptist Association (PLBA) in November of 1996. As Director of Missions, he devotes much of his time relating to pastors, assisting with ministry assessment and personal spiritual growth. For many in the association he is seen as a "pastor to the pastor." He also provides consultation and orientation for Pastor Search Committees. He has served as Interim Pastor in several PLBA churches and readily serves as pulpit supply when pastors are away from their churches.

Along with serving as Director of Missions, Dr. Cook has established a ministry for deacons. He and Marsha conduct Deacon Ministry Conferences around the nation that serve to educate, encourage and equip deacons and their wives in their ministry in the church. Some of Dr. Cook's articles on deacon ministry have been published in "The Deacon" magazine, a Southern Baptist publication.

Dr. Cook has a Bachelor of Arts from Dallas Baptist University, Dallas, Texas; a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas; and a Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary, Lithonia, Georgia.

Janice Maynard and her husband, Mickey, live in Shawnee, Oklahoma and have two daughters; Crystal and Kasey. Kasey is married to Rob "Pup" Rogers who is the Minister to Students at First, Noble. Janice has been a member of Immanuel Baptist Church, Shawnee since 1979, where she is very active in the music and youth ministries. She sings in the Adult Choir, ensembles, and sings solos. Music is one of her great loves! She also teaches 11th grade girls in Sunday School. Sponsoring mission trips and church camps for the youth are some of her favorite activities. She claims working with youth keeps you young!

Janice has been the Office Manager and Association Secretary for Pottawatomie-Lincoln Baptist Association for over 19 years. Being the daughter of a military man turned preacher, has prepared her well for this ministry. There have been a lot of changes through the years, but she feels they have been for the good. She loves her job and feels it is a great ministry opportunity and looks forward to many more years of service.