Rev. Dr. Joseph Cordero, Pastor & Head of Staff

Joseph Cordero immigrated to the United States with his family when he was eight years old.  He attended primary and secondary schools in Chula Vista, a suburb of San Diego, CA.  

Then, in 1970, he enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam War.  After completing Airborne Parachute Jump School, he trained to become one of the elite “Green Berets” and was assigned to the 5^th Special Forces Group.  He was honorably discharged in 1973.

Sensing God’s call to become a Minister of the Word and Sacrament, he attended the University of Alabama where he graduated with a B.A. in English Literature in 1975.  That same year, he started studies at the Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA, and graduated in 1979 with a Master of Divinity.  After completing seminary, Joseph postponed his ordination feeling that he was not spiritually prepared to assume the responsibility of becoming a Pastor.  During the interim, he worked in retail sales management.  Afterward, he formed his own company and worked for several years a General Contractor, specializing in residential construction and remodeling. 

Then, there came a time when he could no longer postpone that calling that God had placed in his heart to become an ordained pastor.  In March 1996, he was ordained and installed to serve as an Associate Pastor at the Shallowford Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA.  Soon thereafter, he returned to Columbia Theological Seminary to complete a Doctor of Ministry degree, specializing in Cross-cultural Psychology.

Dr. Cordero came to the Presbytery of New Covenant in 1998 to serve as Associate General Presbyter for Evangelism and Mission.  He also served as Interim Pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Bay City and then as Interim Pastor at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in Port Arthur.  Dr. Cordero has been serving as Pastor and Head of Staff of the John Knox Presbyterian Church since January 15, 2005.  

Pastor Joseph is married to Zhi Ni and they have a  sixteen-year-old son, Nathanael.  Nathanael is in the eleventh grade.  He enjoys computers, sports, and plays the trumpet in his High School Symphony. 

Director Of Music / Organist

Suzanne comes from a music-minded family, having been involved in music from her very early years. After childhood music lessons, Suzanne became an organist at 17 years of age. She has a BMus, Phi Beta Kappa, and a MMus from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. In addition to performing, Suzanne serves on the executive boards of the Houston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and the Presbyterian Women of First Presbyterian Church of Houston. She is also a trained Hospice of Houston volunteer and a Life Member of The Hymn Society of America.

Suzanne has been married to Mark since 1974. They have lived in New Mexico, Wyoming, and Dubai, U.A.E. prior to moving to Houston in 1989. In her spare time, she enjoys water walking, bicycling, reading and travelling.

Colette Edwards, Office Manager 

Colette is originally from Union Lake, Michigan she moved to Texas, May of 1981.  She has been married to Kevin since 1982 and they have two sons Matthew and Steven. Colette attended North Harris Montgomery Community College studying business and computers. She has been a member of Kinsmen Lutheran Church since 1988 and she attends the  Thursday night Ladies Bible Study, and serving as the Acolyte coordinator.  In her spare time, she enjoys attending reading, and having quality time with her family.