Norris Darden was born in San Antonio, Texas on August 11, 1961, the oldest of four children. He was raised in a household which believed in musical training. He took music from the age of five until he began college, playing for various churches as church Organist, pianist and choir director. His mother played the piano but never received any formal training. While attending Armstrong State College, he studied music as his minor.
Norris joined the army in January 1983 and was a member of the 23d Infantry Division, a cohort unit, for four years, serving tours in Korea, Ft. Lewis, Washington and Ft. Stewart, Georgia. He received the Expert Infantry badge, three Army Achievement Medals, two Army commendation medals, the overseas ribbon, numerous certificates and citations and was promoted to the rank of SGT/E5 before his expiration term of service. He now serves as a Reserve Army Chaplain.
Norris graduated from Louis W. Fox Academic and Technical high School in 1978. He received the AA degree in Liberal Arts from St. Leo’s College in 1994, a Bachelor of Theology from Covington Theological Seminary a Masters of Divinity Degree from Erskine Theological Seminary. He has also earned the Master of Arts in Christian Education, the Master of Religious Education, a Masters of Ministry in Music, a Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Theology Degree, and a PhD in Christian Education.
He received the call to preach the gospel in December 1979 and was ordained a Baptist Minister of the gospel at the Bennett Union Missionary Baptist Church of Jesup, Georgia in 1986. In January 1987 he was called to Pastor the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church of Savannah, Georgia. He served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist for seven years. On September 10, 1993 he organized the New Generation Full Gospel Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia.
Norris married Joann Glenn on January 25, 1986 at the St. John Baptist Church in Tacoma, Washington. He is the proud father of five children and two grandchildren: Janique Danielle, Norris Daniel Jediah, Norris Tyrone, Cristen Janea Nicole and Randalle Marie Cheron.
Bishop Norris D. Darden, Jr.
Lady Joann Darden was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington to the late Eugene Glenn, Sr. and Jessie B. Glenn. She is fifth child of six children. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1979. She also attended Tacoma Community College. In 1981 received ATA degree from TCC. In 1981 she attended the prestigious Howard University in Washington, D.C. on a basketball scholarship. Her theological training was accomplished at the Covington Theological Seminary. Lady Darden received her Bachelors in Ministry in 1997, graduating Magna Cum Laude and received The Pioneer Award. She also received a Masters of Religious Education from Covington in 1998 graduating Cum Laude.
On January 25, 1986, she married Norris Delaney Darden, Jr. and moved to Georgia. To this union were born two beautiful children Janique Danielle Darden and Norris Daniel Jediah Darden. They are the proud parents of five children and two grandchildren.
As the First Lady of New Generation, Lady Darden has served in just about every capacity in the church. She loves the Lord with all her heart and most definitely has a call on her life. She spent many years resisting the call, but God has moved her into position and she is now working to accomplish those things which He has called her to do. She was Licensed and Ordained an Elder and the Co-Pastor of New Generation Church in 2007.
She serves as a Professor for the New Generation Institute of Biblical Studies &Theological Seminary, works as the Church Administrator and heads the Women’s Ministry. Her hearts desire is to know Him in the power of His resurrection and share His love with His children.