Having both been raised in Christian families with fathers who were preachers, the significance of evangelism was learned by both at an early age. Most certainly, their zeal for evangelism has flourished, and as a couple they are a dynamic team.

For the past eight years, Dan has spent considerable time and energy developing his Friendship Evangelism Seminar. With Katherine's help this series of lessons were written, refined and have now been presented in person to 50 churches. Just last year the complete series was professionally video taped and is now being marketed throughout our brotherhood as a 13 week curriculum. The video series has been well received by the brotherhood with 200 sets sold, so Dan's message of Friendship Evangelism can now be more widespread than what he is personally able to do. In spite of the video series, he's still booked a year in advance as a speaker. He has already appeared throughout the United States and as far away as South Africa. Besides "Friendship Evangelism" Dan has participated in two mission trips to Grenada and in February, 1990, traveled to Panama on a medical mission trip.

In his own right, Dan has accomplished much, but the true beauty of his service to the Lord is his day to day life. He is a true friend who's overwhelmingly generous with his time and his energy. He's equally comfortable sharing the gospel from the pulpit, in a hospital room, on the tennis court, over breakfast, or in a Panamanian Indian village. The message he'll share with Friendship Evangelism is the message he lives daily.

Katherine is all things to all people. She teaches Bible classes for pre-school children and has published a book for this age group entitled God Takes Care of Me. In addition she has taught special ladies' Bible classes. She regularly leads a ladies' home Bible study which typically draws neighbors and friends outside the church. On many occasions Katherine has been the featured speaker at ladies workshops and has published a short lesson on evangelism called The Christian Tree. in spite of her many fold accomplishments, the major factor that endears her to so many people is her genuineness. She's a loving wife and mother, but she's also a true and generous friend. Just her encouragement and support to so many friends does much to foster evangelism in the church.

It's a profound pleasure to work with such genuine, loving people as Dan and Katherine and an honor to introduce them to you.

Editor's Note:

Dan and Katherine Cooper are two of my favorite people. I came to have much appreciation for them after a week-end meeting at their congregation several years ago.

Even though they had not called what they are doing Friend-ship Evangelism at that time, I saw their congregation as the best example of Friendship Evangelism that I had seen. Since that time Dan has continued to grow and has developed a film series that is receiving wide use among the brethren today.

Dan and Katherine work together as a beautiful team for the Lord's cause. Both have been well trained by their families. Both their fathers were gospel preachers. Both are graduates of Christian colleges. They are now the parents of four children.

Dan preached in Vineland, New Jersey, for 11 1/2 years. The average attendance grew from 60 to 175. He has been preaching for the church in Pitman, New Jersey, for 5 1/2 years, where the attendance has increased from 90 to 165. Seventy-two have been baptized, and 38 have placed membership. Of the 72 baptized, 60 are still faithful -- a retention rate of 85%.

In 1982 Dan served as guest editor of a special issue of our magazine. It was well received by our readers. We felt that our readers would once again enjoy a special issue guest edited by Dan relative to Friendship Evangelism. We're grateful to him and all those who have contributed to this special issue.

Dan and Katherine can be contacted at 603 N. Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071.