In the New Testament book of James, it says we should put our faith into action and be “doers of the word.” In essence, it says faith isn’t complete until there is action to go with it.
Monty Fulton is a living, breathing, talking, handshaking, phone-calling, networking example of putting his faith into action. If you’ve been in the Huntington area very long, you’d be hard-pressed not to have encountered him or at least heard about him in some form. A life-long Huntington resident who is married to his wife Sherrie and father of Courtney, Lauren, and Morgan, Fulton has lived his whole life that way but has ramped it up in his retirement years.
Recognition like The Herald-Dispatch’s Volunteer of the Year (which he got in tandem with his wife) and WSAZ’s Hometown Hero put earthly recognition on his efforts, though that’s not why he does it. In fact, why he does it, in short, is because Jesus said so. He noted Matthew 25. Fulton is simply helping “the least of these.” He doesn’t do it for attention, but he’ll gladly use it to encourage others to do the same and to make a few more connections.
“What I’m doing is doable by anyone walking in shoe leather,” he said. “I’m starting to age out of this, and we need others to pick it up. Helping others should just be a part of your life.”
Through the years Fulton, who is the Director of Outreach at Christ Presbyterian Church, has been involved or on the board with numerous organizations. Currently, one of his top missions is serving on the board at FaithHealth Appalachia, part of MHN Foundations, where he has been instrumental in developing the Ramps 4 Neighbors program. They’ve successfully secured funding and built four ramps since the beginning of 2025.
Fulton said FaithHealth Appalachia aims to help people struggling with isolation, food insecurity, and lack of transportation. The ramp program lessens the impact by allowing the person to get out of their home and visit people, get to the grocery or other available food resources as well as to get to vehicles or other transportation to run errands.
“Social isolation is a big deal,” he said. “People get stuck in their homes and neighbors don’t realize it. This is just a place I can plug in and help. When I see folks being able to get back out of their homes it gives them a new life and that’s invaluable.”
Fulton became familiar with the concept through World Changers, who have been making regular trips to the Huntington area for years to help with similar projects. The ramps that this program provides come in sections of different sizes and then are assembled on site. They can be taken down, cleaned up, and reused if needed, making a very efficient program.
Among other things, Fulton has gone on mission trips to Peru to help secure potable water. He has helped the homeless find shelter. He has fed the hungry and provided backpacks for children. He has helped provide resources for victims of natural disasters throughout our region. He has secured furniture for rehab facilities and the City Mission. He got a call recently for someone looking for a hospital bed for a bariatric patient. It took him just two weeks to work his connections and make it happen. Those kinds of successes help him continue on the frustrating days.
“There are times you get pushed against the wall, and sometimes the answer is no, and for good reason,” he said. “The trick is how you respond. Through a virtual kudzu of connections that I have encountered over the years, resources may be brought out that can cause a need to be met. It just blooms and things come together. Knowing that I might be able to make a difference just keeps me knocking on doors. One might be closed, but you just keep knocking and keep on asking.”
Fulton just naturally gravitates toward people and is always looking for ways to build connections that help find solutions to problems. It’s his personal ministry.
“It’s been enjoyable, satisfying work,” he said. “People find themselves in a tight situation and to be able to help them out in some way is just fantastic. I hope that others realize they can do it, too. Call the City Mission. Reach out to a City Council member. Join a neighborhood association or volunteer at the Foodbank or Ebeneezer (Medical Outreach). Put your faith in action. Call me. I can put you to work. The opportunities are abundant, and the workers are few.”
