Minister knew God had a plan for him

January 23, 1999|By MARLO BARNHART

When asked if he remembered when he was first called to the ministry, Lorne Digges has no trouble.

"I was 4 years old, and I was diagnosed with leukemia," the 24-year-old Keedysville man said.

Digges and his family struggled through a year of this horrible diagnosis, hoping for the best but expecting the worst.

"Then one day we met with the doctor and he said the leukemia just went away," Digges said. "He said he couldn't figure out where the disease went."

It was then that Digges said he first knew that God had a plan for his life.

A graduate of Boonsboro High School, Digges then attended the Master's Commission in Baltimore - a two-year ministry school he described as intense.

After graduating in 1997, Digges started Faith, Hope and Charity Ministries. He and his sister, Lisa, work together as an evangelistic team.

"Our goal is to be an instrument of revival in the hands of God," Digges said. He and his sister work off an offering to maintain the ministry - not their living expenses but the ministry's expenses, he stressed.

Still, Digges wanted to do more since he felt so strong in his calling.

Digges began at Zion Assembly of God in Maugansville around Easter 1998. His title is children's pastor and outreach director.

As such, he works with Sunday children's church, teaching children 5 to 12 years old. "The children's population at the church is really growing ... we're up to about 20 now," Digges said.

All lessons are tied to the Bible, he said.

As outreach director, Digges directs harvest events such as Friends' Day, and Christmas and Easter plays.

He and Zion Pastor Joe Quesenberry do a lot of visitation, too. Sometimes there are appointments and other times the visits are spontaneous.

"I live at home very economically with my parents, Charlotte and Larry Digges," he said.

It's a busy life for Digges, who is single and totally wrapped up in his calling, wherever it takes him.

"I'd probably go nuts if I only had one ministry," Digges said.

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