JAY D. COLE
Founder of Save Our Nation

Jay Cole was born and raised on a farm near Paragould, Arkansas. Schools varied through the WW2 years from Oak Grove, Paragould, Blytheville, Gary, Indiana and St. Louis

During and after WW2 he worked on over 40 different jobs from a bakery, 

Jay Cole, Founder

truck driver, elevator operator, maintenance engineer and finally  received a commission with the American Society Of Mechanical Engineers as an inspector of Power Boilers and Pressure Vessels. Jay felt the call to the Gospel ministry at the age of 17 while attending a special high school course at Ouachita College, and was licensed the the ministry by Third Baptist Church in St. Louis on May 17, 1948. While attending Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, he met and married Gladys Garrett, then served in the Air Force during the Korean War. Afterward he started Missouri Electronics Co. in Springfield, Mo. in an effort to provide for family and support the ministry. That operation was sold in 1954 and he returned to school, this time at Oklahoma Baptist University. While there he was pastor of First Baptist Church, Rosedale, Oklahoma, and was ordained January 8, 1956. During those years the Lord added Donna and Susan to the family.

He then moved to Dallas and worked as mechanical engineer for several insurance companies. Later founded Dallas Western Aviation, established several mission works including United Missionary Aviation and Missionary Tape & Equipment Supply. Moving to Arkansas in 1976 he founded Mission Service Supply, Mission Fellowship Bible Church and Save Our Nation, works which continue to the present.

After the arrival of Donna in 1951 and Susan in 1953, the Lord sent Janice in 1957 and Jay Jr. in 1962. Eventually, he and Gladys enjoyed nine grandchildren (one deceased) and several great grandchildren. Jay pastored Mission Fellowship Bible Church and was director of activities for Mission Service Ministries and Save Our Nation until his death on June 7, 2011.