It was a cool December day back in 1956 when my
father stood up to preach. You may remember a building very similar
to the one in Middlebourne, WV. It was the typical design of the
era: white wooden slats, black roof, and tall steeple with its
bell tower ringing out before each service. A lot was occurring
in his life: married in June of that year, his wife just recently
expecting their first child, and working in the accounting department
along the banks of the Ohio in St. Mary's, WV. Denver Haught spoke
that day on what would be the first of many such Sundays.
The next year, 1957, Dad was preaching in Ohio
and various locations in Tyler and Wetzel counties: places with
names like Dale, Alvy, St. Mary's, Friendly, Middlefork, and Bens
Run. It wasn't long before every Sunday was filled and my father
and mother and little family were traveling to a different location
each Lord's Day. I can remember my mother's talking about these
travels. She said that by the end of the month she could quote
the sermon.
Jobs changed, and the family moved to Paden City
and then to Middlebourne, WV. Dad continued to preach in the area
and work as an accountant. By 1968 the family had grown to four
children. Dad was working for the Olin Corporation in accounts
payable, a job he would hold for twenty years. Four years later,
his preaching was no longer to be done circuiting between locations,
but he began located work at the Burt church of Christ, about
six miles from Middlebourne. In six short years, with a "part-time"
preacher, the congregation doubled to almost seventy members.
There were many times when chairs had to be brought into the auditorium
to hold the crowds.
In the fall of 1978, my father left accounting
for the challenge of full time preaching. His first work was Sistersville,
WV. After almost five years, the family moved to Sandyville, WV,
where they were to work for the next nineteen years. The church
in Sandyville also grew during his time there. Dad was instrumental
in beginning the West Ripley church of Christ in Ripley, WV, as
well as encouraging young men to become gospel preachers.
In the spring of 2002, Mom and Dad semi-retired
to Romney, WV, to be closer to some family members and work with
the church there. After 4 years, Dad received a call and, at the
age of 71, moved to begin full-time work with the West Ripley
church of Christ.
Fifty years of service are encapsulated into these
few words. The gospel was preached and many were baptized into
Christ. Praise God!
The children have grown, and there are now grandchildren
and great-grandchildren. Another Sunday will soon be here and
both sons will probably be in the pulpit themselves, and perhaps
a grandson or two. His daughters and grandchildren will be with
their congregations, teaching Bible classes and worshipping God.
Many things have changed, but one thing remains, this Sunday Denver
Haught will again arise to share the good news of Jesus the Christ.
As long as his mind is clear and his body able, that is where
you will find my father, until God calls him home. 5450 Mulberry
St., Stephens City, VA 22655.
(Editor's note: Brother Denver Haught will have
preached for 50 years next month. He and his wife, Dorotha, now
reside at 112 Winters Dr., Ripley, WV 25271. This article was
written by their son, Doug, with help from their other son, David.
Their daughter, Deirdra Miller, helped finish it.)