Darren Blaney pastors an evangelical Baptist church in south Wales.
When did you trust Christ?
After my best friend at school was saved, I became good friends with his pastor who shared the Gospel with me. When I left my home and family to attend University, I made the decision to follow Christ the following month. I was then nurtured in the Christian Union.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
Mentoring by my pastor, spending a month with Ichthus Christian Fellowship in London whilst at University, and reading the writings of John Stott and John Maxwell on preaching, mission, and leadership influenced my call to full-time Gospel ministry.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
I have participated in the Wales Leadership Forum and know interacting with leaders from across Europe who face similar challenges will broaden my perspectives, deepen my faith, and enrich my understanding of evangelistic and discipleship ministries in an increasingly secular, post-Christian society.
What is your ministry?
I pastor Hope Baptist Church, a mid-sized (80-member) evangelical church in the Town Center of Bridgend. My responsibilities include preaching, pastoral care, leadership, and missions development in the town.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
I served as president of the Christian Union at University, deacon and youth leader at my home church, church-plant co-leader of a rural church plant in Essex, and Baptist pastor at four churches in south London (5 years), Gillingham (8 years), Herne Bay (16 years), and currently Bridgend (2 years).
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
Bridgend is the county town of a borough with more than 100,000 people. Two-thirds of Wales' population lives within a 45-minute drive of the town. The potential for impact is huge, and valleys with little or no Gospel witness surround the town.
