LEXINGTON – Members of a Lexington church will show their appreciation this month to a pastor who has given them 25 years of service.

As part of the annual Pastor Appreciation Month in October, Heath Church has set aside Oct. 18 to honor the Rev. Daniel M. Downing. Showing their appreciation to the pastor, the church will have a service at 10:30 a.m. and a cookout at 6 p.m. The public is invited.

“It’s a tremendous honor and blessing,” Downing said of the recognition. “There are great benefits to longevity in one pastor. There may be some benefits to short-term and having new people come in, but I think the benefits of longevity in one location certainly outweigh the negatives.”

A pastor for 30 years, Downing, 51, said he has been told by members that he will not be required to preach at the service. However, his wife, three children and their spouses plan to sing at the event.

“We have a family music ministry,” Downing said. “We do some concerts, revivals, camp meetings and conventions.”

Looking back at his 25 years at Heath Church, Downing said he is proud in seeing the long-term spiritual development with his congregation.

“With 25 years, now I’m marrying young people who I dedicated as babies,” he said.

Downing also is proud that his children are all serving God. Downing’s three oldest children are heavily involved in the Heath Church, with his son Daniel serving as the youth director. His youngest daughter, Delinda, is very active in the Brookland Tabernacle, a Brooklyn, N.Y. church, that has a well-known choir

“I am just so thankful and proud that all my children are serving God,” he said.

Under Downing’s leadership, the church is host to 75 to 125 teenagers from the community every Wednesday evening. The church has recreation, a worship service and provides them with dinner.

While he is open to God’s direction, Downing said he plans to stay at Heath Church for many years.

“It’s a very wonderful group of people,” he said of the church. “They also are very interested in outreach.”

dignasiak@hpe.com | 888-3657