Rapid City Man Marks 1,000th Straight Church Service

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota man who told his dying mother 20 years ago that he would find a church and attend it regularly has marked his 1,000th consecutive service.

The Rapid City Journal reports that 78-year-old Ken Ashmore reached the milestone on Sunday at the Crossroads Wesleyan Church in Rapid City.

Pastor Wendell Jones made a surprise visit to congratulate Ashmore on his achievement. Jones was the pastor when Ashmore started attending church in 1993.

Ashmore says he plans to keep attending services, and to keep counting.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.