A Preacher with Swagger!!!

Born and raised in the village of Harlem and in the Bronx, NY, Rev. Darren A. Ferguson is passionate when it comes to ministry, advocacy for the disenfranchised and serving his community through preaching, teaching and social activism. Rev. Ferguson has just become the Pastor-Elect of Mout Carmel Baptist Church in Arverne New York. He is also the founder of Luke 4:18 Ministries– featuring the Friday Night FLAYVA worship service, “Where Christ and Hip Hop Meet” -- beginning work that he believes will redeem Hip Hop as a wholesome art form and develop new, innovative paradigms for youth ministry. He served as the Interim Pastor of the Mott Haven Reformed Church in The Bronx, NY; for 4 years as Youth Minister for the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church in the City of New York he was a co-founder, minister and choir director for the Hip Hop Church along with hip hop pioneer Kurtis Blow; Team Chaplain for the New York Liberty of the Women’s National Basketball Association and Youth Director for Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network. Called a “rising star in the ministry” by Rev. Sharpton, his work and story of redemption have been featured on numerous local and national television news programs and various print articles around the world, all noting his experience as a youth advocate, fiery preacher of the Gospel, worship leader, anointed singer/songwriter and minister to the Hip Hop generation. Rev. Ferguson has traveled across the world, constantly in demand as a preacher, teacher, worship leader, workshop facilitator and inspirational speaker, who never hesitates to use his personal experiences to send the message that “it is never too late.” A graduate of Bronx Community College and New York Theological Seminary, Rev. Ferguson is currently a student at NY Theological Seminary, where he plans on his studies culminating with Doctoral degree. He has received numerous awards from local and national organizations for his work with young people, including the NY City Male Involvement Consortiums “Father We Cherish” Award in 2001; the first ever “Amos Award” from Sojourners Magazine/The Call To Renewal, Inc; and was honored as one of 2005’s top business and community leaders in the tri-state area by the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the New Bronx Chamber of Commerce, the Christopher (Notorious B.I.G.) Wallace Memorial Foundation along with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. Rev. Ferguson is a gifted singer and songwriter who specializes in start-up choirs; he has directed numerous choir over the years and now leads the Soldiers of Praise/Hip Hop Church Choir, which is not just a choir, but a movement toward a new Gospel/Hip Hop movement. Most importantly, he is a proud and devoted father to his 18 year old daughter, Naia and doting husband to his lovely wife Mrs. Kim M. Ferguson. He is currently editing an autobiography that he hopes to publish in the near future, aptly titled “How I Became an Angry Black Man”, and has recently independently released a CD of original songs and sermons entitled “Here I Am, Lord”. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Rev. Ferguson has developed “Hip-Hop Homiletics,” a preaching and worship technique designed to reach God’s children in their language and highlighting their sensibilities, while bringing forth the Word of God. This “Keep It Real” evangelism style is the God-given centerpiece of Rev. Ferguson’s ministry, one that speaks the plain language of the people, both young and old. “I have truly been redeemed,” says Ferguson, “and if I can be a part of the redemptive process of healing for just one boy, girl, man or woman, then I have been obedient to my calling.”