REVEREND DARREN HIRST

I became the pastor / minister of Harlow Baptist Church towards the close of 2024.

Prior to that I had served as the minister in Thornton Heath (near Croydon), Greenford, and Hammersmith (West London). Before that I was a deacon at Barnsley Baptist Church in South Yorkshire.

Professionally, before and during the periods I have worked in the church, I have worked as an actor, producer and director, primarily in the works of Shakespeare (you can see detail of this at www.shakespearience.uk ), as a writer and journalist (some of my shorter published writings can be read at www.twilightdawning.com), and in the music world (a list of most of the bands / acts I have worked with or written about can be seen at www.darrenhirst.com and www.twilightdawning.com/darrenhirst ). The arts remain a particular passion of mine.

I have written extensively about Shakespeare, music, and baseball.

 
I trained for the church ministry at Spurgeons College in South London (South Norwood), where I was based for 5 years. I am a Bible-believing Christian, but I believe in being silent about issues upon which the Bible does not teach.

 
My wife is Isobel. I have one daughter, Sereyna. Both Isobel and Sereyna work in the medical world.
I have recently received a renewed DBS (disclosure and barring service) check which shows I am suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults. I am a fully accredited minister of the church. In my previous church in Hammersmith, I worked extensively with those who were homeless, struggling with addiction, and on low incomes.