Three Minutes with… Terry Cummings of Hermiston

Published 5:00 am Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Who are you and what do you do?

I am a retired minister and I currently serve as the lead chaplain for Hermiston Police Department and Umatilla County Fire District No. 1.

Where did you grow up? When did you come to Hermiston?

I grew up in (at that time) the little town of Eagle, Idaho. Population about 200 on a good day. My wife and I came to Hermiston in the fall of 2006 to be the interim pastor of the Church of the Nazarene, and they voted for us to stay, so we did.

What are a few of your hobbies?

I like to hunt, fish and do about anything outside. One of my indoor hobbies is leather work. I especially enjoy making belts, holsters and will tackle about anything else.

How do you spend your free time?

My free time is spent with my wife doing different things and trying to figure out how we can see our grandkids who do not live near us.

How would you describe yourself?

I am an easy going person with a positive outlook on life who tries to see the good in everyone and everything. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt until they prove me wrong. One of my life-philosophies is, “Let’s agree to disagree agreeably.”

What is something that you’re passionate about?

I am passionate about my faith in and relationship with Jesus Christ, my family and serving our first responders. These men and women put their lives on the line daily for the rest of us and I am proud to be considered a part of their teams.

What are a few of your proudest accomplishments (can be personal or job related)?

I really can’t take all of the credit for these but my sweetheart has stayed with me for 55 years, I have two grown children who love God and still love me and four grandchildren who love to spend time with their grandpa. These are worth more to me than anything else. I pastored full time for over 43 years and my wife and I still have friends from all of those churches — some going back to 1970. With the encouragement of Chief Jason Edmiston I was able to be a part of starting the first official chaplain’s program here in Hermiston in 2011, and the fire district joined a bit later. But you see, all of these “accomplishments” were not mine alone. They resulted because I was privileged to work with others who made these things possible. And most of all the thanks and praise go to God for leading me and giving me what I needed and not what I deserved.

What do you like most about the community you live in?

The people. The friendliness of Hermiston’s folks makes this town a place where I want to live.