Methodist Reverend Finally Comes Home
Messenger Reporter
CROCKETT – For Reverend Cindy Doran, the road home – back to the church where she began her walk with the Lord as a young child – has been a long one.
Crockett's First United Methodist in downtown is the oldest active church in Houston County. From its stained glass and ornate construction, its bells chiming out worship times and the beautifully maintained inner courtyard – the campus takes one back to an old English country church, with its fountain and trimmed pathways.
Keeping up with the church is a chore unto itself – you take on such a task knowing you are a temporary caretaker of a piece of Crockett history – with appreciation for those who came before and the responsibility to pass it on to those yet to come.
Doran's history in the church spans her whole life, looking over the same Sunday school rooms she spent Sundays in as a child, later returning for a brief period, now, returning as the church's Reverend.
"I can remember being just a young lady with a two-year-old. I had just lost my husband to cancer and came back here and taught with Rosa Davis in Sunday School in these rooms," Doran recalled. "I remember just marveling at the fact that I had been a child taking Sunday school classes in these rooms, then moved away, and now I'm back to these same rooms I grew up in. It's just a dream come true."
Doran sold cars when she was called to ministry, serving in youth ministry and pastoring many years in Lufkin. She admits giving up a good job and salary and giving her life over to God was daunting, but never regretted her decision.
"I like to call it a leap of faith, but I have never looked back. I am happier than I have ever been from the moment I said, 'Yes,'" Doran said.
Doran said she could never do any of it without the amazing church staff and members, who come together to help take care of every detail. Doran said she has been preaching recently about the legacy we leave behind, no doubt defining her own legacy, in the long and continuing history of the church.
"Our legacy is not what we leave to people, it is the lives we touch," Doran said. "I am hoping to touch the lives of people, from the youngest member here to the oldest; to touch their life in a way that they touch others, so the cycle will continue."
Doran and the church have many plans, from continuing their partnership with S.H.A.R.E., who occupies part of the church's property, to building more infrastructure in the grassy area adjacent to the church. The church plays host to many local groups, from Lions and Garden Club, to Piney Woods Fine Arts Association art classes for kids. There was talk of a little maze and walking trails for families.
Speaking with The Messenger near the church fountain, enjoying the gardens on a cool, cloudless day, Doran's enthusiasm and sense of history was impressive. Serving this church does seem like her destiny in life, a path no doubt decided long ago by God.
Doran said her long journey back to the Crockett icon has shown her just how special this congregation is.
"it's hard to find a congregation that doesn't splinter off to different agendas, but they have truly centered themselves on the agenda of Christ, and that has amazed me. It's such a blessing and an honor to be working in that kind of setting," Doran said.
Doran extended her invitation for all to come and visit and worship at First United Methodist, located at 701 East Goliad in downtown Crockett, with an 11 a.m. Sunday service.
"It is Gods church, so we want to open it up to all Gods children," Doran concluded.
