I'm feeling a little daunted about the job ahead, but everyone in the staff team is lovely and I already feel like I'm part of it, so it's great !! 

OK, that should mean Joanne will make you a cup of tea... tell me a bit about yourself

My full name is Darren Mervyn (no jokes !!) Todd, I'm 29 years old and got married to Kathryn (who's a teacher) on the 2nd August 2005. We live in a place called Carrickfergus, County Antrim (about 13 miles outside of Belfast), where we've just bought a house - the 3 most stressful things that'll happen in your life and I did them all in August !! But the great thing is that it's taught me to depend and trust in God even more...

My hobbies are playing, watching, or discussing football - I'm passionate Arsenal fan... I also play for a local team at a reasonable level - we're quite good too !! Ha ha.. I also enjoy romantic walks (had to say that as Kathryn might read this...), cooking (21st century man!!), reading, and meeting different types of people...

You'll certainly find some different types here....what have you been doing that might have prepared you for life in Crosslinks?

Before Crosslinks I worked in a local church, St. Elizabeth's in Dundonald, as a Parish Apprentice. It was an excellent experience and privilege to serve God and the community of Dundonald. I had the opportunity to work alongside a brilliant staff team there and it really opened my eyes to what God held in store for my future - teaching the Bible to young people and building lasting relationships with them.

Before St. Elizabeth's I went to Belfast Bible College, where I studied for 2 years in Church Mission and the Bible. I really enjoyed my time there - it was like one big family - people from different cultures, speaking different languages, at different points in their journey with the Lord; yet all there to serve, worship and deepen their relationship with Him. 

Do you think your new job is going to be easy?

It blows my mind (and frightens me a lot!!) when I think too much about it, but then I go back to some of my favourite verses in the Bible - Jeremiah 29:11-12 ... "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." 

These verses give me such encouragement - to know that God knows the future, my future; that His plans are good and full of hope; that He provides the agenda and he uses us to fulfil His mission. I realise that there will be tough times ahead, both in Crosslinks and life in general, but God's Word, and these verses in particular, give a hope that God will see us through to a glorious conclusion.

Come back soon for another in depth interview!