The community's missionary

Janet Conner-Knox

Jun. 7, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Many in the Wilson church community call Dennis Dew the "Wilson Missionary."

"That's because it does not matter what the church denomination or what church group, he will be there to support the program," said Latisha Taylor. "Dennis supports everybody."

Dew, who works in a tobacco factory, said he believes God wants him to fellowship with all people, not just certain people.

He said he reads the Wilson Times church section every Saturday, and plans his visits to the different programs in the church community throughout the week.

But that's not all.

He volunteers at the Hope Station, and routinely goes to the hospital and nursing homes and visits the sick.

He doesn't have to know who the person in the hospital or nursing home is, he just goes to see whoever is there.

"People seem glad to see me," said Dew. "Everybody wants to know that somebody cares."

Dew, who graduated from Hunt High School, loves to sing and said he as been singing since he was five years old. He has a gospel group, and when he can he takes them along to sing for people in nursing homes.

"Sometimes I go and will do a mini concert for them all by myself," said Dew. "They need to know that God didn't forget about them, and he loves them. The people in the nursing homes never want me to leave, and I have to promise to come back and sing."

Dew, 46, even gets calls from area funeral homes asking him to come and sing for families.

"We call on him quite a lot," said The Rev. Tyrone Jones, Edwards Funeral Home funeral service director. "He is a real fine guy. Sometimes families will ask us to call him. Dennis has become a trademark in the community."

Dew does have a church home at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church.

Dew said it doesn't matter what church he attends, he is everybody's brother.

Dew also does a community feeding at his house on Washington Street twice a year. One in memory of his mother, and the other on the Fourth of July.

janet@wilsontimes.com -- 265-7847

Newstex ID: 35575431