Associate Pastor - Rev. Mary Jane Cole
mcole@fumclr.org

Mary Jane Cole joined the First Church staff in January 2007 as part-time Minister of Nurture and Membership Care Ministries but in December of 2007 assumed the position of full-time associate pastor where she continues congregational care duties as well as leadership in worship.

Mary Jane has a B.S. degree in Psychology; a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Arkansas State University and a Master of Divinity degree from Memphis Theological Seminary. She is pursuing studies toward ordination as a Deacon in the United Methodist Church. Prior to ministry, Mary Jane worked in the field of behavioral healthcare marketing before completing a one year chaplain residency program at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock.

Mike Cole, Mary Jane’s husband of 8 years is a CPA and the Chief Financial Officer for Advanced Tissue in Little Rock. Mike and Mary Jane have a wonderful blended family with daughter Taylor, who is a sophomore at the U of A, and son David, who is an 8th grader.

When not at church, Mary Jane enjoys walking, reading, watching movies and spending special time with her family. Her all time favorite movie is The Sound of Music. Did you know she loves Italian food and also sushi? MJ likes being anywhere in the mountains – especially the Ozarks. Her most special memory was her wedding day. It was a beautiful candlelight service at Thorncrown chapel in Eureka Springs. Her ordination in June, 2010 will probably be another. Rev. Cole reflects, "Both of these special times represent the fulfillment of life-long dreams: to have my own family and to realize the dream and call upon my heart to serve God."