THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 15, 1995 TAG: 9502140100
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Jody R. Snider
DATELINE: BATTERY PARK LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
WHEN THOMAS DARLING was a boy growing up in Memphis, he played football with the King. That's right, the new pastor at Battery Park Baptist Church used to run neighborhood scrimmages with Elvis.
As a teenager, Darling even played in a rock 'n' roll band - but not with Elvis.
``Elvis was just like anyone else,'' Darling says. ``He loved his guitar and singing. I think he used to like to play football to escape from all his popularity.
``He was just beginning to get popular at that time.''
While Elvis stayed with his music, Darling says he felt God calling him to become a minister when he was only 16.
``But I decided I didn't want to start that early in life, and I went into the Navy for 24 years.''
In 1978, Darling left the service and entered Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. Since his graduation in 1980, he says, he has pastored four churches.
Last November, Darling left a 200-member Baptist church in Culpepper to pastor the 200-member church at Battery Park Baptist.
``What I like about pastoring is meeting the people,'' he says, ``and the interaction I'm able to have with them.''
Name: Thomas E. Darling
What brought you to Isle of Wight? Battery Park Baptist Church
Hometown: Memphis, Tenn.
Birthdate: Aug. 29, 1937
Occupation: Pastor
Marital status: Married
Children: Three
Favorite movies: ``Star Trek'' series
Favorite magazine: Leadership
A book you wish everyone would read: ``When God Doesn't Make Sense,'' by James Dobson
Favorite night out on the town: Old Dominion Opry in Williamsburg
Favorite bar or restaurant: Nick's in Shackleford
Favorite food and drink: Greek hamburger steak and coffee
Few people know . . . that I played in a rock 'n' roll band in high school.
What's the best thing about yourself? I'm easygoing.
Worst habit: Time management
First thing in the morning: I thank God for another day to serve Him.
Pets: None, now
Hobbies: Bowling and swimming
Ideal vacation: Scotland
Pet peeve: People without handicaps that park in handicap zones.
First job: Selling doughnuts door-to-door when I was 12.
Worst job: None
Of what achievements are you most proud? My goal in the Navy was to become a chief petty officer. I retired as a chief petty officer.
What would you like as your epitaph? A servant of Jesus Christ. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
by CNB