VALLEY — Not many can say they found their mission in life at the age of 16, but Doug Dewberry is one of the few, taking what started as a summer job building homes for the needy, turning that into an avenue to share the Christian gospel.

Dewberry began building houses during his freshman year of high school with Billy Knight, who taught the young Dewberry everything he needed to know about construction.

Dewberry has continued these construction projects since that time, while at the same time holding a number of high-level management jobs, most in the hospital management sector. He has worked as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer for a hospital and spent time working for a computer programs and systems company called Trubridge. A little over a year ago, he went to work for a company called CPSI, a company that handles computer systems for rural hospitals and nursing homes. 

This passion for helping others, according to Dewberry, was taught to him by his parents and grandparents, who showed him what it meant to have a servant’s heart. Since then, he has worked on many projects to help his community.

Along with building homes, Dewberry is also involved in the construction of wheelchair ramps and porches. Through his building, he is able to share the gospel of Jesus with those he’s building for.

“It’s all about motive. Some people’s motivation is to help others, but my motivation is faith,” he said, accrediting everything to Jesus and the church. “I have never been in a church that doesn’t help get the resources and team needed to complete the task. God has always put those people who were willing to help in my path. Without them, none of this could’ve ever been completed.”

Standing beside Dewberry is his wife and family, who have been very supportive of him over the years.

“When I’m working, I’m not home doing things with my family. It’s as important to my wife as it is to me.” he said.

He explained that it’s important to have those like-faith relationships in your life to be able to fully live out God’s purpose and encourage those who want to do good to just do it.

“Whether it was a random person broken down on the side of the road, or someone you knew, you always help them. Just because the outcome isn’t what you thought, don’t ever disregard helping someone when you felt like it was the right thing to do,” he said. “A neighbor isn’t someone who lives next door, but it’s a person who God places in your path.”

Know a neighbor in need of recognition? Let us know! Email news@valleytimes-news.com.