Darlene grew up in Indiana and Tennessee and came to know the Lord early in life. While at Wheaton College, she began praying about her role in God’s plan to bring together worshippers from every nation.

During graduate school at the University of Tennessee, Darlene became involved in international student outreach, choir, and orchestra at her church. She graduated with an M.B.A. and worked for six years in information systems design and training.

At a church missions conference, Darlene sensed God’s call on her life to missions. Through the support of her church, she went to Columbia International University and completed an M.A. in intercultural studies and teaching English as a foreign language. God gave her a heart for Japan, where less than 1 percent of the nation’s 127 million people are Christians.

Darlene has been a member of MTW’s church-planting team in Nagoya, Japan, since 2000. She teaches English and evangelistic Bible studies, helps with team financial work, and is involved in music ministry in the church and community, participating in the planting and nurture of Japanese churches.