Who are you and what do you do?

I am Terry Haight. I’m the lead pastor here at Zeal Church.

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

I actually grew up on the East Coast, on the Maryland side of D.C., just outside the D.C. line. My wife is originally from Hermiston. We met in Louisiana in college, dated, got engaged and got married. We served for a year at my home church in D.C., took a little jaunt I guess you’d say, and we ended up coming to Hermiston in December of 1995, after being missionaries in the Philippines.

What are a few of your hobbies?

I love fishing even thought I’m not good at it. I love art, I love looking at art. I like to try, you know once in a great while I’ll try to sketch something. Photography, of course, has been something over the years that I’ve enjoyed as well.

How do you spend your free time?

Well, I have quite a sizable family at the moment. I have four adult kids, and we just adopted four more that are siblings. So really between the church and family that keeps me pretty busy. If I really was intentional about taking time I’d go fishing or pick up a book and do some reading.

How would you describe yourself?

I mean what I say, and I say what I mean. I would hope people think I’m passionate about what I do and faithful about what I do. I’m very loyal to people. I really cherish friendships, especially the older I get. I hope to be a good friend to people.

What is something you’re passionate about?

Well definitely doing what I’m doing as a pastor which is ultimately helping people. Of course the message we preach it’s kind of like the Bible says, to know the truth and the truth sets your free, and to witness people as they get into the Word of God that they experience more freedom all the time, more joy, more liberty, more peace. I’ve said this to my church a couple times, the two most important days of your life are the day you were born and the day you realize why.

What are a few of your proudest accomplishments?

Having raised four kids and just being a father and a husband, of course. At the end of the day it’s how you raised your family and the relationships with your family.

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

I’ve always appreciated the sense of community. In 2016 our church started “I Love My City”, it’s actually coming up in May. We do a city wide, joint, all churches, any church that wants to jump in, we work with the Parks and Rec manager, Brandon, and Larry before him. What we do is for one day we go and do a bunch of clean up around the city in neighborhoods. I have a relationship with Jason Edmiston, the chief of police, the mayor, Larry and now Brandon at Parks and Rec. I guess just the sense of community and the support the community really tries to bring within itself. Hermiston has proven to be a very giving, supportive city.