Raised as the only child of a minister in Northern Alabama, Lindell Cooley was surrounded by ministry and music throughout his formative years. His first practical musical experience came when he was taught to play the tambourine at the age of five. From there, he went on to play the drums, bass guitar, organ and piano. Nearly three decades later, he is drawing on all those musical skills and more as president of Music Missions International (MMI) and music minister at the Brownsville Assembly of God Church in Pensacola, FL.

“I always had a desire to lead people in praise,” Lindell says, “I love it when people get caught up in worship. There are times when we are worshipping that I sense His approval-and that’s what it’s about-doing what is pleasing to the Lord. It’s during these intimate times with the Lord that people’s lives are being transformed.”

Looking back on his early days as a budding musician and worship leader, Cooley is still surprised by the orchestrating hand that carefully prepared him for his current position. “My family and I often did concerts in addition to regular church services,” he recalls. “It was when they needed to produce a custom recording for radio stations that I learned to make records.”

At 21, Cooley was spending part of his time playing the piano with Christian musicians Lenny LeBlanc and Rusty Goodman and the other part serving as associate pastor in his father’s church. But he knew he had a destiny to fulfill and at the age of 28, he set off to find it.

Cooley moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and began working at Christ Church as an assistant music minister. Two years later, he left Christ Church to become a studio musician and an independent producer. In the fall of 1994, Lindell Cooley visited Brownsville Assembly and met with Pastor John Kilpatrick. In February of 1995, Kilpatrick needed a music minister and believed Lindell was God’s choice for the position. After initially turning down the job, Cooley accepted and arrived in April of 1995. Two months later while Lindell was away on a mission’s trip to the Ukraine, a historic revival began.

It’s been a long road from playing the tambourine to leading the music of a revival that has played host to some 4,000,000 visitors! In the midst of this awakening, Cooley has taken the opportunity to create a ministry that is an extension of himself. It’s called Music Missions International.

Founded in 1995, Music Missions International is a non-profit organization devoted to enhancing the worship experience and educating the church regarding worship. MMI creates resources for individuals as well as churches such as CD’s, Tapes, Videos, Tracks, Songbooks, Books, Curriculum, Seminars and Church services that assist in achieving the Mission of MMI. MMI funds have also been used to support a variety of missions and ministry efforts throughout the world.

In February of 2004, Lindell founded and is Senior Pastor of Grace Church meeting in Franklin, TN. His congregation is growing every week. His desire is to be a part of rebuilding the Tabernacle of David. Grace Church is to be a base to raise up worshippers and train workers to send into the harvest. Starting meetings in offices and now meeting in the “Y” at Cool Springs in Franklin, Lindell’s congregation has grown to more than 200 at this time. He still travels extensively but is home for his church on Sundays. He has recorded the CD Freedom and a new CD will be out in 2007.

 

http://www.mmi-inc.com/_wb/