Sean Cordell, Pastor of Preaching and Mercy Ministries

Email: scordell@treasuringchristchurch.com
Born: March 10, 1976
Wife: Dana
Children: Elijah Christopher, Jadon Silas
Verse: Habakkuk 3:17-19
Free Time: I enjoy going on dates with my wife, playing with my boys, reading theology books, playing basketball, tennis, and back yard football. I enjoy singing and playing guitar. Food is also fun.
Life Story: Although born in Lexington , KY, I grew up in Knoxville , TN. At age five I inquired of my parents about salvation. They both thought I was too young and my pastor counseled them to instruct me to wait. I continued pursuing the idea of salvation for almost a year, but my parents never thought I was ready. Even at such a young age, I told them I knew I was a sinner in need of God. However my greatest fear was being baptized. My parents told me they knew I was ready to "accept Christ" when I said, “Mom and Dad, I am a sinner and I need Jesus, and even if it means I must be baptized, I want to be saved. God's grace has clearly been evident in my life. I was always a fairly moral kid and teenager but while growing up, I had a weak desire for God and His Word. It was not until my sophomore year of college when God lit a flame in my soul for His word. I remember memorizing John 15:5 for the first time and feeling the weight of “…apart from me you can do nothing.” 
Reflection on these experiences and many others have given me joy in Christ. I received a BA in music and religion from Carson-Newman College , a Masters level degree from The Bethlehem Institute in Minneapolis , Minnesota, and a Masters of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. My precious wife of 7 years, Dana, and my two children, Elijah and Jadon, have been great means of joy and of making me more like Jesus.
I served at Open Door Baptist Church in Raleigh , NC as youth pastor 2 ½ years before moving to Minneapolis , MN to do an urban ministry apprenticeship. After 2 transformational years, I returned to Open Door to lead in worship through music. My purpose in coming back to the church were two fold: 1) to help foster an atmosphere of authenticity and corporate encouragement through music on Sunday mornings at Open Door and 2) to work on church planting in inner-city Knoxville, TN. However, after several months, the Lord began redirecting our desires and strategies to downtown Raleigh , NC. It has been a glorious ride on the wings of God's sovereign placement. Here in downtown Raleigh , we desire to move people towards greater satisfaction in Jesus and a greater desire to spread a passion for Him to the world.