Worship in the Woods is the summer vespers series of the Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center, held Sunday evenings in the natural amphitheater on the Heritage Center campus. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 season is held online, with many of the participants filmed in the amphitheater setting.

This week we are joined by Ryan Cooper, pastor of the Beaver Creek Church of the Brethren in Bridgewater, VA. Ryan was born and raised in Syracuse, NY in the Assemblies of God. Even while a youth, Ryan developed a deep love for the Bible and had memorized 17 books of the New Testament. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Valley Forge Christian College, as well as a minor in music. At Regent University, Ryan earned a Master of Arts in Biblical Interpretation (pre-doctoral degree). His degree focused on Biblical studies, especially in Biblical languages. It was during his time at Regent that Ryan met Heather, and they married in 2008. 

Ryan and Heather together served as youth director at Staunton Church of the Brethren. Then Ryan answered the call to full-time ministry as the pastor of Emmanuel Church of the Brethren until his call to serve Beaver Creek in November 2019. Ryan has been actively involved in the Shenandoah District, regularly volunteering as dean at Camp Brethren Woods, was invited to preach for District Conference, and has served as part of the planning team for Sunday Night Live (a collaborative youth event for our area). Ryan has taught three courses for the Christian Growth Institute – New Testament, Old Testament, and Biblical Interpretation. Ryan is currently chair of the Ministerial Leadership Team, member of the District Leadership Team and serves on the CGI Advisory Committee. 

Ryan has been married to Heather for 12 years. Ryan and Heather have adopted two children through foster care, Samantha and Katie.  Ryan and Heather are therapeutic foster parents and hope to foster more children in the near future, sharing with them the hope of Jesus. 

This week's worship leader is retired Church of the Brethren minister and BMHC board member Paul Roth. Music comes from flutists Andrea Nolley and Claire Wayman.

To learn more about the Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center and schedule a tour, visit: www.brethrenmennoniteheritage.org.

To support the Heritage Center and the Worship in the Woods program, visit: www.brethrenmennoniteheritage.org/summer-vespers

To donate via PayPal, visit: paypal.me/BMHCenter