Dr. Perryn Rice is the Associate Minister of Plans and Programs
at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Cookeville, where
he, his wife Terri and children, Jonathan and Lauren, reside. He
has a B.A. in English-Writing from Bethel College of McKenzie,
TN and a Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity
School of Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, TX.
He received his Doctor of Ministry in Worship and
Proclamation from Austin Presbyterian Theological
Seminary in Austin, TX. He currently is the only
minister with dual membership in the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church and the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church in America.

Perryn serves as minister/resource person for the
Christian Education committee, working with other
ministries in the church as needed and beginning
new ministries and programs that enhance the church’s
internal development and promising future. Along with his
pastoral duties, his other interests and concerns include
community outreach and evangelism, ministries to youth and children, and church program development and implementation.

Perryn is the recipient of numerous awards, scholarships and tributes, but most treasures preaching. He preaches with a power and passion that could come only from God. Early in his ministerial life, the Rev. Henry Ewing, Jr. of Alabama told him, “If you don’t believe it, don’t preach it!” This is the foundational basis for what he does. “I believe in preaching the life of Jesus Christ - crucified, dead, and buried; but definitely resurrected and living.”