Passing of Brian Cole

It’s with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Brian Cole, former EFCA executive vice president of ministries. After battling neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer for several years, he passed into everlasting life on October 25, 2024.  

Brian’s love for the Lord and service to the EFCA and the local church spanned many decades. Though Brian’s professional career began outside of the local church, his heart for the gospel would lead him and his wife Marla to help found Valley Church (EFCA) in West Des Moines, Iowa, in 1990. God used Brian’s involvement in the local church and at the district level to propel him into broader service of God’s Kingdom through the ministry of the EFCA national office.  

In 2000, he served on the EFCA Board of Directors and later as the board chair from 2004 to 2006. While serving, Brian felt called to pursue full-time vocational ministry. He sold his business and accepted a leadership position on the ReachGlobal CONNECT team––a ministry connecting local churches with international missions––before becoming executive director of ReachGlobal. Later, he served alongside former EFCA President Kevin Kompelien as executive vice president of ministries, providing leadership as a member of the ReachGlobal and ReachNational directional teams.

In that role, Brian worked with the All People, church multiplication and student ministry teams, helping shape these influential ministries that continue to serve the EFCA to this day. Brian was a beloved servant leader in the EFCA, and his ministry resulted in lifelong friendships and an eternal impact for the gospel around the world.  

Shortly after being diagnosed with the terminal cancer in July 2017, Brian endeavored into his last chapter of ministry pouring into relationships and sharing with his family and so many others his unfailing faith in Christ even during his declining health. He retired from his role at the national office to spend quality time with Marla and family, though he continued to invest in EFCA leaders and the local church until his passing. We thank God for Brian’s faithfulness to the gospel and steadfast service to the local church and the EFCA movement. 

A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. at Valley Church in West Des Moines, Iowa, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 11:00 a.m. 

Please join us in prayer for Brian’s wife, Marla, their children and the entire Cole family.