Posted on

Faith and Sexuality Dialogue in Philly: Oriented to Love

Thursday through Saturday I’ll be in Philadelphia for Oriented To Love: a dialogue about Faith and Sexuality. The dialogue is sponsored by Evangelicals for Social Action.

The event aims to bring various people and perspectives together to listen and understand. More details about the event are here: http://www.evangelicalsforsocialaction.org/oriented-to-love/

I would really appreciate it if you kept me in your thoughts and or prayers this weekend!  I’m continuing my efforts of engaging churches and communities on the intersections of race, sexuality, and reconciliation.

– Darren

Posted on

About Me… my bio for tonight’s event

I’m one of the guest panelists for some authentic conversation about being single. There will be refreshments and a Q&A session. I hope to see a few familiar faces that night. Everyone is welcome and there’s no admission charge. I hope to see you there!

Details Here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=188124591216399

Darren Calhoun is a creative professional and Christ-follower who approaches life with the perspective that life is about stories and relationships.


Darren’s story centers on being born and raised in Chicago. He’s a native south-sider who currently lives on the west side of Chicago in East Garfield Park. Darren has been engaged with various groups and activities in his 31 years of life. From leading youth retreats in Elementary and High School to founding a campus ministry and being ordained as a Lay Minister in college, and now participating with community organizing and social-justice initiatives, Darren has been engaged with serving others for more than 17 years.


Currently Darren is a member of Willow Creek Community Church and serves on the leadership team for the Arts Ministries at the Willow Chicago’s Downtown campus. Professionally, Darren helps nonprofits, businesses, artists, and individuals to effectively capture and communicate their stories using the media of photography, graphic design, and internet technology. Through his company, Quick Click Media, Darren helps to capture the very essence of what people do and why it matters in the world.


Darren’s personal story is also marked with the facing and overcoming the challenges of healing from relational and emotional brokenness, and even church abuse. Taking advantage of books, professional therapy, groups, and long talks with trusted friends, Darren has overcome great challenges. He’s positioned himself as a trusted resource for others who have or are struggling with addictive behaviors, unhealthy relationships, and self-esteem issues.


As Darren’s remarkable story continues to unfold his greatest joy is in seeking to glorify God by being a man of integrity in all he encounters both personally and professionally.

Posted on

Dear Blog… Remember me?

Hi, I’m Darren and this is my blog.

I know – it’s been a very long time since I’ve stopped by to share anything. Life has been filled with unexpected transitions and changes. Business has been up, down, and back up again. Church – oh my, that’ll be a series of posts. Overall there’s a lot to share here and I’m going to bring it soon. I’m also going to change the look of the site with a new design.

Hopefully all this will be visible in the coming month. 🙂

Thanks for stopping by! See ya soon!

–Darren

Posted on

Life Just Got Better

Willow Chicago LogoI’m in a bit of a bitter-sweet moment of realization this afternoon.  Today I officially became a member of Willow Creek Community Church – Chicago.  I had a lot of apprehension around the membership process and knowing if I would be ‘accepted’.  It wasn’t until today that I realized that so many of my fears and worries were tied to the trauma of the way things ended with my previous church.  I’m happy to say that a great deal of growth and healing have taken place so far, but I still feel silly (at times) realizing that almost 3 years later this still affects me so much.

I love that I’m in a grace-filled community where as our interim campus pastor Todd put it – “we can bring it all – full funk – and let God transform our lives”.  The words of the song we sang in worship this morning are ringing truth in my ears:

“Take me to that place, Lord
To that secret place where
I can be with you, you can make me like you
Wrap me in your arms, wrap me in your arms, wrap me in your arms”

If we are the body of Christ then indeed, I’m being embraced by God’s arms and where I’m safe and being made more and more like Jesus each day.

It is my hope that everyone comes to a place of total embrace by God’s arms.  That we all experience the utter forgiveness and love of God through what Christ has done.  That every congregation lives out the realization that Bill Hybels says so often:  the local church is the hope of the world.

I’m just thankful and can’t find all the words to say it right now.  I just wanted to mark this day and thank God for it.

Posted on

Worship Service & Commemoration Ceremony @ SXU

Worship Service & Commemoration Ceremony
March 27, 2009 – 7pm – Butler Reception HallWorship Service & Commemoration Ceremony March 27, 2009 - 7pm - Butler Reception Hall Saint Xavier University - 3700 W. 103rd Street

Saint Xavier University – 3700 W. 103rd Street – Chicago, IL

http://afcupperroom.org/2009/03/10-year-service/

Hi Friends and Fam,
I promised several of you that I would send out information for the event that is taking place tomorrow night. I’ve been a bit vague on details ( I didn’t plan this… I only did the flyer  😆  ) but I wanted to be sure to follow up on letting you guys know what’s going on in my world(s).

On Friday, March, 27 at 7pm the AFC Upper Room will be having a special Worship Service commemorating the first 10 years of the AFC Upper Room Ministry @ Saint Xavier University. If you’ve wanted to know more about what we’re doing on the campus of Saint Xavier, then this would be a great opportunity to hear about the miraculous way that God has formed a community of believers who are living out the Word of God.

If you need further details feel free to contact me. If you can’t make it, don’t sweat it, but do remember our ministry in your prayers!

Posted on

I’m on Twitter @heyDarren

my twitter backgroundI’ve had my twitter account for a few months, and I’m beginning to ‘tweet’ regularly.  Now I’ve taken the next step and customized my twitter page background.  Sign-up to follow me and take a look at the new design at http://twitter.com/heyDarren

My web design clients are beginning to ask for social networking pages so I figured I try some things out on my own twitter page.  I’m gonna have to create a ‘social networking package’ hummmm…

Anyway, if you’re on Twitter, let me know!