DR. SUZAN JOHNSON COOK ENCOURAGES WOMEN IN MINISTRY WITH NEW BOOK

DR. SUZAN JOHNSON COOK ENCOURAGES WOMEN IN MINISTRY WITH NEW BOOK: “Live
Like You’re Blessed” promotes positive thinking, balanced living
      
      New York, NY - Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook remembers what it was like
to be a woman in ministry more than 25 years ago. She was the first
African-American woman called to serve as pastor in the American Baptist
Church movement; the first woman appointed chaplain of the New York City
Police Department; the first woman Baptist minister to receive a White
House Fellowship and in 2002, she became the first woman to be elected
president of the 10,000 member Hampton (Virginia) University Ministries'
Conference, which represents all the historically African-American
denominations.

      But she learned quickly that without some self-care and
"sisterhood," she'd burn out.

      "We need mini-vacations and many vacations," Cook says. "That few
days a year won't cut it anymore, especially if you're in a profession
where you pour yourself out constantly."

      Known as "Dr. SuJay" by her congregation and friends, Dr. Cook
should know. In the past quarter century she's been a wife, mother of
two, presidential advisor, television producer, White House Fellow,
Harvard lecturer and author of seven books. And oh yeah, she managed to
squeeze in being Senior Pastor of the Believers Christian Fellowship in
New York City. A powerful preacher, Dr. Johnson Cook was described in
The New York Times as "Billy Graham and Oprah rolled into one."

      "It's time for sister leaders to come together," says Cook, who
was featured in Ebony Magazine in an article, "Sisters in Ministry -
Friends for Life" (June 2006). Her friends all say that there is no way
a woman in ministry can survive in this profession and think about
thriving without the connection, network and support of sister-friends.

      In her latest book, Live Like You're Blessed, she shares with
readers how to do live the blessed life - starting with balance. The
book offers insights from her trailblazing life experiences and the
circumstances of people she has counseled on how to live with more joy,
power and faith.

      "Out of difficulties, new opportunities arise," Cook said
recently. "For the (Christian) believer, it's learning not to look at
the problem, but to turn your eyes toward the problem solver and really
trust God to take you to your new place."

       Cook was the goddaughter of Coretta Scott King and officiated at
King's funeral. She has toured with Bishop T.D. Jakes, attended and
taught at Harvard University, and traveled the world to encourage and
equip others to live more meaningful lives.

      In Live Like You're Blessed (Doubleday Books), Cook uses the seven
letters in the word B-L-E-S-S-E-D to create an acrostic that is also a
call to action:

B = Balance (creating it in work, leisure and worship);
L = Love (of God and yourself so that you can extend it to others );
E = Energy (for your divine assignment on earth);
S = Spirit (the Holy Spirit is the wind beneath your wings);
S = Success (learning how to measure and define what it means for you,
without comparing yourself to others);
E = Encouragement (how to go where you're celebrated, not tolerated to
live and share the courage and hope that Jesus displayed); and
D = Devotion (finding and guarding your time to connect with God;
joining a faith community where you can grow and flourish).

      Cook also urges readers to include practices and people in their
lives who will help them achieve their goals. "I have this saying:
'Dreams have no expiration date.' You didn't do it in your mid-20s, do
it in your 30s, 40s, 50s or 60s. When that dream is done, dream some
more."

      She says it's no accident that she's a leader. Her parents groomed
her for success by providing her with an excellent education and by
serving as examples of faith in action. "My mother was a school teacher
for 22 years in Harlem," Cook says. "We moved to the North Bronx and
bought a home early. She taught children from the inner city and every
weekend brought some of them home. She was helping families that didn't
have the means to help themselves by exposing them to another quality of
life. She was teaching (me and my siblings) about giving back, because
we were blessed."

      "That's what my book does - it delivers a hot meal to someone;
it's done in love. As many people as will buy the book and use it, I
believe their lives will be blessed."

      Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook is also hosting a conference for Women in
Ministry next month. "We have more women in ministry leadership than any
other time in history - we all learn by mentors or mistakes - mentors
are better. This conference will do that by connecting the older with
the younger from all across the world."

      Conference Speakers include: Pastor Beverly "BAM" Crawford, Bishop
Violet Fisher, Bishop Fisher, Bishop Ernestine Reems-Dickerson, Pastor
Elizabeth "Liz" Rios,  Pastor Jasmine Sculark , Apostle Merilee Watson, 
Attorney Willie Gary, Dr. Dennis V. Proctor, Sr. and Bishop Kenneth
Ulmer.
See details on Website: www.wimin2.com