Internet name search leads to Christian concert in Jasper

Courtesy photo THE DIGGLES FAMILY of Kentucky will join the Diggles family of Jasper for an interdenominational Christian concert Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Light House Ministries on Helen Street near U.S. 190 and 96.

One could say the Internet works in mysterious ways.

When Walter Diggles, pastor of the Light House Ministries in Jasper, set out to research his family name online, he was surprised to find The Diggles Family Ministries, "serving and worshipping Jesus Christ though song."

Diane Diggles, mother and Jill-of-all-trades for the traveling Diggles family, was equally intrigued to know their was a Diggles ministry in Jasper, and an excited set of emails between the two families followed.

The Kentucky Diggles, headed by husband Doug, became a full-time traveling ministry of music in 2004. According to their website, www.digglesfamily.com, when Doug lost his job, "they felt God was leading them into a full-time ministry which has been the desire of their hearts."

Doug is joined on stage by daughters Christina, 11, and Katie, 7, for Christian concerts in three-part harmony.

Diana Diggles runs the soundboard, does the computer work and accounting, homeschools the girls, and does sign language interpretations of the concert when needed.

When not on the road, Doug Diggles is the music minister at the First Christian Church in Lexington.

Christina, as part of her homeschooling, assists with the website where she posts a map of states where they have performed. So far, she has colored in more than 20 states from California to Florida.

The family was already planning a family reunion in Oklahoma and a concert tour that included Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri and Mississippi.

"We were delighted to add a stop in Jasper," Diane Diggles said.

"This just goes to show if you back far enough in our history, you realize there is a relationship," Walter Diggles said. "We have been talking back and forth in email, and now we are looking forward to meeting in person and discussing the research we've done on our family."

The Diggles Family of Kentucky will join the Diggles Family of Jasper for an interdenominational evening concert Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Light House Ministries on Helen Street near the intersection of South Wheeler and U. S. Highway 190. Admission is free; offerings support the music ministry.