Pastor Darren Ward Phelps (Pastor Darren) is a native of Queens New York and an anointed visionary as well as servant leader. Pastor Darren is celebrating over 20 years of progressive ministry leadership.   Pastor Darren is passionate about developing a hub in the community where the church resides.  He has a heart for all of God’s children whether gay, straight, black, white, transgendered, bisexual, young or seasoned.  Pastor Darren reaches through the walls of conventionalism and he is a strong voice for those who have been marginalized.   Pastor Darren is a dynamic teacher and preacher that embrace community, diversity, justice, equality, worship, fellowship, inclusion and social action .

 His pastoral leadership along with his administrative and enthusiastic preaching style makes him an outstanding strategist who implements both socio and ecclesiastical approaches to his pastoral and overall interpersonal methods.  Pastor Darren has a successful track record in building productive relationships.  (i.e. community, educational,  political, and congregational) This man of God has the ability to interface with persons from all walks of life.

 Pastor Darren has successfully managed large budgets that have exceeded well over 2 million dollars.  He is a consensus builder, well versed in board development, community activism and volunteer engagement.  Pastor Darren has provided leadership and support for over 200 staff and 3oo volunteers.  He has lead small to large sized congregations.  He has the ability to create within any congregation the sense of community pride which motivates one to serve and be passionate about membership and outreach.  Pastor Darren has served as a church planter (grass roots level) as well as the Senior Pastor with larger established congregations whose tenure and history span 100 years or better.

 Pastor Darren  understands the need for balance   He enjoys spending time with his two daughters , Joscellyn Nicole Phelps, a student at Meredith College in Raleigh NC  & Whitney Danielle Phelps a freshman of the University of Richmond.  The ability to laugh and share warm and close moments with friends and family help this great man of God to embrace and appreciate the many facets of life and ministry.  Pastor Phelps also enjoys traveling, reading, swimming and quiet times with family and friends.

Ministerial  Leadership experience 

v     Accepted the Lord at the age of 15 at the Allen AME Church, Queens New York, pastors Rev. Dr. Floyd and Rev. Dr. Elaine Flake (co-pastor)

v     Obtained ministerial licensing at Allen AME at age 17

v     Was ordained and served as youth pastor of the Mount Olivet Baptist Church, Petersburg VA, where Wesley K. McLaughlin is Senior pastor,1991

v     Lead and organized youth ministry resulting in the growth of ministry to over 200 active children/youth.  

v     Pastor of the Hickory Run Baptist Church, Rawlings VA at the age of 24, 1990   

v     Pastor of the Beverly Manor Baptist Church, Staunton VA 1993-1996

v     Served as the Pastor of Bethel Christian Ministries, Atlanta GA 2004- 2007 

v     Launched the Bethel Christian Church in Washington DC, a Radically Inclusive, charismatic body of believers, 2008

v      Associate minister Covenant Baptist-DC.  Dr Christine and Dennis Wiley Co- Pastors 2007- 2008

v     A member of the “Fellowship”, under the leadership of Bishop Yvette Flunder

 

Non-profit  Leadership (summary)

v     Over 20 years of leadership in non-profit agencies that serve at-risk, low-income youth, and their families.

v     Lead a national- diverse staff in program planning, training, resource development,  marketing and evaluation

v     Has served on several not for profit agencies as a board of directors member

v      Currently he is the Director of the Breakthrough Collaborative, located in the Chavez Charter School for Public Policy, NE DC. The program works with middle school students on gaining skills for college and assists students with professional career planning

v     Director of Programs at the Institute for Conservation Leadership, Takoma Park MD , 2007-2008 

v      Executive Director, The Study Hall Atlanta Georgia, 2003-2006

v     Senior Program Specialist, Prevent Child Abuse Georgia, 2000-2002

v     Consultant- Atlanta Georgia, 1999-2006

v     Executive Director, Big Brother Big Sisters, Richmond VA, 1998-1999

v     Senior Director of Children’s Services- YWCA of Richmond, 1994-1998

v     Multi-Site Center Director, Children’s World (ARA services) VA, 1990-1994

v     Has spear headed or supported various programs with a very high margin of success such as Head Start, Homeless, HIV/ AIDS services, Childcare and Youth & family Advocacy Programs and Morehouse School of medicine (student group).

 

Community Engagements

v     Active in the DC Metro community

v     Serving on the Black Pride & Capital Pride planning committees

v     The Gays & Lesbians Opposing Violence Committee, (GLOV)

v     Gertrude Stein Democratic Club

v     Equality Maryland

v     Human Rights Commission (Faith in Action)

v     DC Clergy for Marriage Equality

v     Atlanta Georgia and Washington DC AIDS Walk

v     Invited to serve as a delegate to study post Apartheid (Africa) effects on children (Lead by the University of Nebraska)

v     Former Key Club member, a NAACP member

v     Served on the VA Governors homeless task force to study the “barriers to education”

v     Served as a member of the Petersburg VA Ministers Association

v     Former member of the Dinwiddie VA Churches United, and with Baptist General Convention

v    Participated at the Hampton Ministers Conference

v     Speaker/Lecturer for multi-spectral venues local, regional and national

v     Communities in School Board Member 1997- 1999

v     Crater AIDS action Board Member 1996-1998 
 

Education

BA-Virginia State University, 1984-1988

Masters- Psychology – Virginia State University, 1989-1991

Masters of Divinity student- Washington Bible Seminary
 

Additional Course study

Richmond VA seminary, biblical studies,

VA Union, Leadership and business

Inter Denominational Theological Center (ITC ) Atlanta GA, Pastoral care

Beulah Bible University Atlanta GA, graduate courses in pastoral leadership and church growth