Pastor Chosen for Sartell Citizen of the Year Award

SARTELL -- The City of Sartell is recognizing one local pastor for his outstanding work within the community.

Doug Vagle moved to the area over five years ago with his family and a dream of starting a church for people that felt religious service was irrelevant.

Nearly six years later Vagle is receiving the 2013 Citizen of the Year Award for his efforts and support of 29 different organizations in the area.

In 2007, he helped create the Waters Church, which held its first service in the Mulligan's Event Center.

The church decided to build a new 10,700 square foot facility with a 300 seat auditorium for the growing congregation in 2010. Another 300 seat expansion just began at the end of March with hopes of completion in early September.

Vagle and the Waters Church have also started two additional congressations, while work is beginning this fall on a third in Plymouth. The church now staffs 14 people.

In addition to the Waters Church, Vagle serves as a police chaplain for the Sartell Police Department.

The Waters Church has seen over 2,500 people from Sartell with approximately 1,300 people now calling the church their home.