Interview: Celebrating the Ministry of Pastor Curt Darling
For almost 70 years, Pastor Curt Darling has been a cornerstone of ministry, serving with a heart full of compassion and unwavering faith. At 89 years old, his journey through life and ministry is a testament to the power of dedication and the impact one individual can have on countless lives. I recently had the privilege to sit down with Pastor Curt, reflecting on his remarkable journey, the challenges he faced, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.
A Testimony of Transformation
Pastor Curt’s ministry began in 1956 while he was in the Air Force. “Before that time, I wasn’t the nicest person that ever was, as far as sin is concerned,” he shared. The Lord was working in his heart when he got involved with an American gospel team on his base in England, preaching in various centers around military bases. This period marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to ministry.
Discerning the Call to Ministry
The decision to enter full-time ministry came during a pivotal moment while attending a Navigator conference. A sermon on Isaiah 6 inspired him to dedicate his life to preaching. “I saw the Lord, and that was when I made the decision to go full-time to preach wherever I was going,” he recalled. This calling led him to various locations, including Germany and Austria, where he preached and grew in his faith.
Overcoming Challenges with Grace
One of the biggest challenges Pastor Curt faced was building and maintaining relationships within the ministry. “I didn’t recognize these things as challenges,” he admitted, emphasizing the importance of showing oneself friendly, a principle he derived from Proverbs. His approach resulted in an abundance of friends and a network of support that sustained him throughout his ministry.
Prison Ministry: A Heart for the Incarcerated
Pastor Curt’s work in prison ministry is perhaps one of the most impactful aspects of his service. He shared stories of visiting jails in Indiana and Illinois, where he would read scriptures and ask inmates if they wanted to pray and receive Jesus Christ. “Many of them did, and very few of them didn’t,” he said humbly. His commitment to these individuals extended beyond the prison walls, as he often visited those who were transferred to other facilities.
Ministering to the Shut-Ins
His ministry also included visiting shut-ins, a ministry he began when he first came to Danville, Illinois, in 1959. He preached at the Goldwater Care nursing home (formerly Colonial Manor) and continued this work when the new facility was built. “They need you more than anything else right now,” he remembered being told during flu season, a sentiment that drove his dedication to this often-overlooked group.
Gospel Tract Ministry
Pastor Curt has also dedicated significant efforts to his gospel tract ministry. Working with and writing tracts for Grace and Truth Gospel Tracts Publishing in Danville, he has spread the message of Christ far and wide. His tracts have reached countless individuals, providing spiritual guidance and hope. This aspect of his ministry complements his nearly 70 years of prison ministry in Vermilion County and the surrounding areas, as well as his ongoing service as Calvary’s visitation pastor.
Celebrating Successes and Learning from Setbacks
When asked about his greatest successes, Pastor Curt humbly pointed to his consistent visits and the many individuals who came to faith through his efforts. “Every time I visited the jail. many of them did pray to receive Christ as their Savior,” he recounted. As for failures, he viewed them as learning experiences rather than setbacks, always finding a way to grow and improve his ministry.
Sustaining Passion through Love for Christ
What kept Pastor Curt motivated for almost seven decades? “It’s my love for Jesus Christ alone,” he stated unequivocally. His understanding of Christ, both pre-incarnate and incarnate, fueled his passion and guided his actions throughout his ministry..
Advice for Aspiring Ministers
To young pastors and those considering ministry, Pastor Curt offers a simple yet profound piece of advice: “Give it all to Jesus.” This message, coupled with a lifetime of service, encapsulates his belief in total dedication to Christ and the work of the ministry..
A Legacy of Faithfulness
Looking back, Pastor Curt hopes his ministry has had a lasting impact on those he served. He quotes Paul in 1 Thessalonians 2:19, “What is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?” For him, the people he has ministered to are his legacy.
Pastor Curt’s colleagues echo this sentiment. Dr. Daniel Kitinoja, Senior Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church, praises Curt as an example of faithfulness to the Lord and his church. “Because he loves the Lord and loves people, he is a consistent and passionate evangelist, and he remains focused on this even as he rests uncomfortably in a hospital bed. Because of his tenacity and faithfulness, he remains an example to me of what it looks like to be a faithful servant of Christ.”
Similarly, Pastor Joe Humrichous, of Paradigm 1, sees Curt as a gifted leader provided by Christ to equip the saints for ministry, referencing Ephesians 4:11. He states, “Curt Darling is one of them. He is an anointed, personal evangelist gifted to the church. His Bible knowledge equipped him to answer tough questions, his willingness to live simply freed him to minister to those who could or would never repay. His love for people impassioned him to keep going, as he said one day, ‘I want to give everybody I can a chance to know Jesus.’”
Behind every great man is a great woman, and this is certainly true for Pastor Curt. His wife, Barbara Darling, whom he met in England, has been faithfully by his side practically since he became a Christian. Her support and partnership in ministry have been invaluable, highlighting the strength of their union and shared commitment to serving others.
As Pastor Curt Darling continues to serve and inspire, his life remains a shining example of unwavering faith and commitment. His journey is a testament to the profound difference one dedicated individual can make in the lives of many. Through his stories and experiences, he leaves behind a rich legacy of faith, love, and service that will continue to inspire future generations of ministers and believers alike.
Published by Robert Caudill – Associate Pastor, Calvary Baptist Church 7/22/24
Calvary Baptist Church in Tilton, IL, has recently been blessed with the return of a significant piece of its history—a bell originally installed in the old Calvary Baptist Church building on 11th Street in Danville in 1910. Bill Nabors, one of the church’s trustees and a dedicated church historian, shared the fascinating journey of the bell in an interview.