About Cohen's Purpose:
Cohen’s Purpose, Inc. was started in 2023 by Jessica and Matthew Pearce, who reside in DuBois, PA. Jessica is an LPN, and Matthew works in construction. They have three sons, a dog, and a cat. As a family, they enjoy taking beach vacations and camping. They attend the Vision of Hope Egypt Free Methodist Church in Brockway, PA, who support our 501c3 non-profit organization.
Cohens Birth Story
Cohen’s 38-week ultrasound revealed genetic abnormalities. Cohen was born at 40 weeks via C-section. He spent three days in the NICU. After discharge, Cohen’s care continued at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh neurology department. This was the start of many other doctor appointments, hospitalizations, and testing that included EEGs, bloodwork, X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, and eventually over 25 surgeries to date.
Cohens Diagnosis
Cohen, at the age of four, was diagnosed by the National Institute of Health with a rare syndrome called Proteus syndrome. Proteus syndrome is a genetic mutation in the AKT1 gene that causes the overgrowth of bone and tissue. Only a few hundred people in the world have been diagnosed with Proteus Syndrome, and of them, only a small percent are affected neurologically, like Cohen. Cohen suffers from Lennox-Gastaut syndrome as well, which is a severe form of hard-to-treat epilepsy. He also has cerebral palsy, is non-verbal, visually blind, and has a feeding tube.
The Start of Cohens Purpose by Jessica Pearce
Cohen's Purpose began in July 2023, when God gave me the vision of starting a nonprofit organization. At this point, I was not obedient to God's calling. I couldn't imagine how to start or create an organization this big. It wasn't until September that God diverted our vacation to confirm what He had appointed me to do: start Cohen's Purpose.
It all started a week before leaving on a cruise when circumstances beyond our control left us with no choice but to cancel. I was devastated that our family vacation was ruined. I asked God why and asked Him to reveal his plans for me. Little did I know this would be the start of something bigger than I ever imagined.
This redirection led us to Virginia Beach, which became a blessing in disguise. Upon our arrival on Saturday night, I felt led to find a church. That following day, we walked into the church God led us to. I instantly felt moved by the music, which prepared my heart for the message I was about to receive. The sermon was about the calling of a prophet. The pastor preached from Jeremiah 1:5. "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart, I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." He then stated, "God has put a calling on your life, and some of you have a vision, a God-given vision." I looked at my husband and said, "I have a vision I haven't told you about."
The pastor continued, "Make sacrifices when called because God called us to be faithful. We are His chosen people. Do what's right, and He will bless you. If you'r feeling overwhelmed by a sense of calling, that's one way of knowing God's calling on your life." At this very moment, I realized God was calling me to step out in faith and trust Him.
As I pondered the next few days, I finally told my husband about my vision and the idea to start a nonprofit organization. To my surprise, my husband was accepting and supportive of God's vision that was placed on my heart. We spent that afternoon on the beach researching how to start a nonprofit. During our conversation, a man walking on the beach approached our boys and asked if they were looking for shark teeth. We talked to him for several minutes. Once the man left, we focused on looking for shark teeth. While doing so, I had a conversation with God, asking Him to let this be a sign to pursue this nonprofit if it's meant to be.
Several minutes later, while still searching for shark teeth, that same man circled back around to us, saying, "I found a shark tooth! I'm torn on which boy to give it to since I only found one. Therefore, I'm going to give it to you, Mom! It was as if it was thrown upon the shore." I said, "Okay, God, I hear You!" I told my husband about my conversation with God, and he said, "Well, you better get busy!"
On October 10, 2023, Cohen's Purpose, Inc. was filed. We're blessed to say that this very organization was approved by the state of Pennsylvania on October 24, 2023. I leave you with the verse that has inspired me for this organization.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” - Ephesians 2:10.