Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Don Moore, pictured with his wife, Peg Moore, has announced his retirement as pastor of the Church of the Nazarene for 34 years.
COLFAX – Pastor Don Moore is retiring after 34 years of pastoral service at Colfax's Church of the Nazarene.
Moore, 75, moved from Atlanta, Texas, to Colfax 34 years ago after traveling across the West as a preacher.
Moore served as a pastor for 52 years.
"We felt God was leading us to retire. By different means, age, and our health, and how well the church was doing, the timing was right for us to make the decision," he said.
Moore and his wife, Peg Moore, are looking forward to retirement, but will miss interacting with the community.
"Being around the people and experiencing their life with them is something I will really miss. The greatest reward is to see the best that people are and watch how they grow, learn, and mature," Pastor Moore said.
Moore and his wife may assist in services from when the church needs a substitute.
"We will occasionally have opportunities to preach and be available to help," Pastor Moore said.
Carla Hall has been a member of the Church of the Nazarene for 32 years. Serving as a board member, the music director and assisting as a Sunday school teacher brought her incredibly close to the church and to the Moores.
"There are going to be big shoes to fill. The church has really appreciated how community minded Pastor Moore has been. He had a finger on the pulse of the community. We hope that the next pastor preaches from God's word and has a servant's word like Pastor Moore," Hall said.
"We will try not to compare the new with the old. As long as he cares about people and preaches for the people, he will do fine," she said.
A fill-in pastor takes Moore's place after his retirement while interviews and sermons are completed by candidates.
Don and Peg Moore plan to remain in Colfax and hope to take a vacation soon.
"My advice for the next pastor is to spend time with the people and love them. See where they are and help them. Address their needs and build a good relationship with the people," Moore said.
He invites the community to attend the reception April 24 from 1:30-3 p.m. to honor and celebrate Moore's retirement.
"There will be lots of pie" he said.
Olivia Harnack is a Journalist at the Whitman County Gazette. Olivia is enrolled at University of Idaho and is majoring in digital film studies. She serves in the United States Army National Guard and is proud to serve Whitman County.
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