LEWISTON — Congregants of the First Assembly of God Church on Hogan Road celebrated 45 years with their pastor on Saturday.

The Rev. Donald Cougle and his wife, Cheryl Cougle, have been with the church since 1970, and their members wanted to thank them for all the hard work, dedication and passion they have provided since then. The church first opened when the Cougles bought the land at 70 Hogan Road and built it with the help of their friends and community members. 

The congregation Saturday put together a beautiful surprise party in their church building, complete with a buffet, guest speakers, and a video in remembrance of the past 45 years. The pastor and his wife were brought to the church under the guise of performing a vow renewal for two of his long standing members. 

According to the program pamphlet, “October, being Pastor Appreciation Month, is an appropriate time to honor our Pastor and his wife for their dedication and faithfulness throughout the years.” 

The guest count was near 100 people, ranging from family members to church members, including Mayor Robert Macdonald, who has been a member of the church for many years. 

As the crowd waited for Cougle to arrive, the air rung with anticipation. Everyone wanted to see his reaction. He was seemed surprised and thankful, almost speechless, at the devotion shown by his congregation. 

A banner hung above his seat that read: “This is your life. 45 years pastoring our lives!”

He was gifted with a large glass frame filled with wooden cut-out hearts, each personally signed by a member who came to the celebration. 

Dan Prangana, the emcee of the party, had many heartfelt and memorable words to say. Toward Cheryl Cougle in his welcoming, he said, “Without you, he would be nothing.” 

Shortly after that, the Rev. Bryan Church, of the South Lewiston Baptist Church, said, “He loves his family; they are No. 1, and we are thankful for their teamwork.” He added, “He doesn’t do it because he has to. He does it because he loves the people God has given him to shepherd.” 

Landon Cougle, the pastor’s grandson, had written a thoughtful and heartwarming letter to his grandfather that he shared with the group. “He has been devoted to the church from the time they built it, and now it’s time to celebrate. He has had a passion for ministering since he was 18 years old.”

After the family spoke about him, some of the church members got up to share their thanks and fondness. 

Phil Julian, a member of the church, said Cougle had “always been there to support and encourage us to grow and go on — day and night, literally.” 

Mayor Macdonald got up to share a few words about his longtime friend. “He is a man of God who means so much to so many. He is an asset to this community as a whole.”