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Monday, May 12, 2008
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Forever in blue jeans EVERYDAY PEOPLE Staff Writer PEQUOT LAKES - The Rev. Dan Doughty's pastoral robe can be found wrapped in plastic in his office at Grace United Methodist Church in Pequot Lakes.
He's more of a blue jeans kind of guy. A fisherman to the core.
A look around Doughty's office reveals the pastor's favorite things: a fish mounted on the wall, NASCAR and Minnesota Wild flags, framed pictures of outdoorsy scenes.
Originally from the Twin Cities, Doughty's family frequently vacationed in the Brainerd lakes area.
"I always tell people I was raised in the Cities but grew up in the northwoods," he said. "I spent a lot of time here (Margaret Lake) as a kid."
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The Rev. Dan Doughty, avid fisherman and pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Pequot Lakes, was a fishing host for this year's fishing opener. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
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Doughty's dad taught him to fish at a young age. For this year's opener, Doughty intended to pass on some of what he learned. He was to serve as a fishing host, taking strangers out in his boat on Gull Lake, teaching them the ins and outs of angling the lake. He planned to fish for walleyes and crappies, even though bass fishing is his favorite pastime.
As a fishing host, Doughty's job also included promoting the lakes area, telling people why he loves it here, a job he found easy.
"It's a great area to live and a great area to talk about," he said.
Dan Doughty
Age: 53.
Biggest fish caught: 21-pound catfish caught on the Red River.
Favorite fish to eat: Walleye.
Hobbies other than fishing: Reading, watching movies.
Favorite movie: "Field of Dreams."
What you wanted to be before receiving a call to pastor: An attorney.
First church you served: In the mountains of Kentucky.
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Doughty's lived in Pequot Lakes and served Grace United Methodist Church for the last 17 years. As much as he loves his job and the community, Doughty's leaving in June. He's accepted a pastoral position at First United Methodist Church in Lindstrom, just north of the Twin Cities.
Doughty has three children and three stepchildren, the youngest of whom will be graduating high school this year.
"It'll be a brand new chapter in our lives," Doughty said of he and wife Laurie's empty nest and move to Lindstrom. "It's exciting."
Doughty's 17 years of service at Grace United Methodist brought a lot of change and growth. In 1999 the church built a new building at a more visible location on Highway 371.
"It took a lot of prayer and vision," Doughty said. "We needed to get out on the highway and build a new building if we wanted to grow as a church."
It worked. Attendance went from about 30 people on Sunday mornings to 150 people. A youth director and music director were added to the staff, making the church more appealing to young families.
When he's not working, Doughty can usually be found fishing. He goes out about three or four times a week in the summer. In the winter months he watches hockey, especially Wild games. He shares season tickets with some friends and attends about 10 games a season. Doughty is also a doting grandpa, with five grandchildren and the sixth on the way.
"Being a grandfather is great. It really is," he said. "I can't put it into words. I love it."
HEIDI LAKE may be reached at heidi.lake@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5879.
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