Elder Raymond Darden
Born May 24,1934 in Saint Louis, Missouri to William and Ardelia Darden (both deceased). He has six brothers and two sisters. Ray moved to Detroit, Michigan where he attended Southwestern High School. While living in Detroit, he worked at Detroit Harbor Terminal.
He moved to Minnesota in 1962 and met his lovely wife Johnette Reed. Jean (as she was affectionately known) and Ray were married for 39 years before her passing on June 6, 2001. Ray likes to say his marriage was approved by our late Bishop G.E. Patterson. Jean was very instrumental in his life and he became saved in 1965 because of her. They are the parents of one child, Gwen, grandparents of four children and great grandparents of two children.
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While in the Army he traveled to Korea, Japan, and Washington, D.C.
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He likes to watch church services and the Weather Channel on television, play gospel CDs and DVDs.
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He travels home to Detroit and has preached for Bishop P.A. Brooks, Pastor of New Saint Paul Tabernacle Church of God in Christ and Second Assistant Presiding Bishop of Church of God in Christ, International.
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He loves to eat cheese cake, catfish, turkey, baked potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and strawberry ice cream.
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His favorite colors are blue, gray, black, and white.
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His favorite scripture he likes to quote is II Chronicles 7:14
One of Elder Darden's favorite songs is "I Believe I Can Fly". He likes this song because he believes the Lord can take him higher than airplanes can fly. God is blessing him now as He has been blessing him in the past. He never thought he would become a Pastor.
CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST INVOLVEMENT
FIRST CHURCH
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Ordained on July 13, 1975
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Served as Assistant Pastor for over 30 years under the late Pastor Earl Demmings
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Taught Sunday School, sung in the choir, president of the Young Peoples Willing Workers
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Worked in prison ministry
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Appointed Pastor Designate by the late Bishop S.N. Frazier on February 8, 2006 upon the resignation of the late Pastor Demmings
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Appointed Pastor of First Church by the late Bishop S.N. Frazier on February 22, 2006
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Officially installed as Pastor by Bishop Fred W. Washington on June 10, 2007
MINNESOTA JURISDICTION
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Public Relations President
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Young Peoples Willing Workers President
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Member of Minnesota Safety Council