With the affirmation of the Congregation on Sunday, November 14, we are excited to introduce our new Associate Pastor of Missions and Community Ministry: Rev. Buck Cochran.

Buck’s ministry with First Baptist Greensboro will begin January 10. Read more about Buck below.

About Buck

For the past 14 years, Buck has been Founder and Executive Director of Peacehaven Community Farm — a partner of First Baptist and a leading nonprofit in the area, noted for its mission of connecting people with disabilities to the larger community through shared living and the work of a sustainable farm. 

A graduate of Duke Divinity School (MDiv, 2000) and Wake Forest University (BS, 1982), Buck’s career has included work as a congregational minister, experience as a business professional, and service as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Buck has discerned a call to return to congregational ministry, and we are excited to welcome his unique range of experiences and skills and his clear pastoral gifts into the role of Associate Pastor: Missions and Community Ministry.

 

Professional Experience

Peacehaven Community Farm | Founder & Executive Director (2007 to present)

Westminster Presbyterian Church (Greensboro) | Associate Pastor for Youth & Families (2000 to 2007)

FMC Corporation | Account Manager (1991 to 1997)

United States Navy | Naval Officer (1983 to 1991)

 

Recognitions

Wake Forest University | Distinguished Alumni Award (2019)
You can view a video profile from Buck’s recognition here.

Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro | Game Changer (2017)

Guilford Nonprofit Consortium | Nonprofit of the Year for Peacehaven (2014)

Buck is…

I can’t say Buck walks on water, but he’s close. To all of his projects he brings the compassion of a pastor with the efficiency and productivity of a naval aviator. He remains at the top of my list for advice, organizational and personal. He’s also at the top of my list to share joys with, again, organizational and personal. He has been a first class work mate for 15 years and will be a first class friend for the rest of my years.

Tim Elliott
Co-Founder, Peacehaven Community Farm

 

Lots of people can build a nonprofit organization. The hard part is building a community around it to nurture and sustain its mission. Buck Cochran is a builder of community. He understands the need for people to connect, and that connecting people around important work for others feeds the soul. In his work across Guilford County, and at Peacehaven particularly, Buck Cochran has created spaces where we can do important work, love our neighbor, and hope for a kinder and more equitable community.

Steve Hayes
Director, Guilford Nonprofit Consortium

 

Buck Cochran is a sincere and dedicated follower of Jesus. His path of discipleship has been one of caring for the least, last and left out by establishing deep relationships and creatively responding to needs throughout the Greensboro community.

Rev. Frank Dew
Peace & Justice Advocate, Salem Presbytery

 

Buck is a compassionate pastor, innovative collaborator, and risk-taking encourager. I know this because of you, First Baptist Greensboro. As part of my Pastoral Residency from 2016-2018, I shared time at First Baptist and Peacehaven. Buck will care for you, challenge you, and call you to catch a glimpse of the Kingdom of God here on earth. I am so excited for this next chapter for First Baptist and for Buck. May God bless you in this journey.

Rev. Courtney Stamey
Senior Pastor, Northside Baptist Church (Clinton, MS)

 

Buck left the search committee with this thought: We should make the best choice we can for the good of the church because, whether we realize it or not, we already enjoy a significant presence in the community. And we have only just begun! Buck exemplifies work done out of what scripture calls hesed, what we describe as “loving kindness.” With Buck by our side, we look forward to new beginnings in the spirit of words from Henri-Frédéric Amiel: “So, be swift to love and make haste to be kind.” Through his family, his ministry, and his entrepreneurial leadership, Buck has already demonstrated what it means to be swift to love.

Dr. Scott Culclasure
Chair, Search Committe

 

Buck is a proven innovator, a strategic thinker, and a highly respected leader in multiple fields, who also possesses pastoral wisdom and presence that are evident from your first meeting. His ability to discern a new and hopeful future for himself and for Peacehaven at the height of the organization’s notoriety and health is itself an example of the rare wisdom and grace that characterize his work and his life. We are thrilled for the First Baptist congregation and our wider community to experience the merging of Buck’s gifts and this role as we continue the work of loving one another and all our neighbors.

Rev. Alan Sherouse
Senior Pastor

 

Buck and his family… 

Buck is married to Cathy Cochran, who works with Cone Health as Chief Nursing Informatics Officer. They are parents of two adult children: Cameron Cochran, who works in community development, and Trey Cochran, who is an organic farmer.

A word from Buck

“It is a great joy and privilege to receive the church’s call to serve as your Associate Pastor for Missions and Community Ministry. My hope and prayer is that I can bring my experiences, gifts, and talents to this important leadership role at First Baptist Church. I am grateful for the thoughtful process of the Search Committee that helped me as I discerned my call to become one of your ministers. It is important to note that my call is not just to be one of your pastors but to be part of this remarkable community of faith which I have long admired. I look forward to joining in your journey to bear witness to God’s grace, love, and healing to our community and the world.”