By Imani Williams
FERNDALE – Unity Fellowship Church of Detroit recently honored Rev. Darren McCarroll for seven years of service to the faith community. A sold-out celebration dinner was held at Le Cafethe' House in Detroit. Following a full course meal, Rev. McCarroll was honored in song by members of his congregation.
Deacon James Coleman, the anniversary organizer, said of the event, "We wanted to afford everyone wanting to celebrate the Pastor the opportunity to do so at a reasonable cost in a relaxed atmosphere. This is a chance for you to talk with the Pastor one on one."
Pastoral Anniversary guest speaker, Elder Erroll Hudson of Unity Peace of Detroit, delivered a spirit filled message on the "Messenger's Role" as he spoke on the role Rev. McCarroll plays in the community. Youth Acolytes made their debut and the pastor was serenaded with several songs.
Rev. McCarroll came to Detroit from Los Angeles in 1996 to do pastoral work in the African American LGBT community. He is actively engaged in building the programs of Unity, and has youth membership and community building as priorities.
As a leader in the Metro Detroit faith-based community, Rev. McCarroll believes strongly that dialogue needs to take place where all parties are committed to working towards bridge building for the love of God's people. Recently, he was the sole gay affirming pastor on the panel at a town hall on same-sex marriage hosted by Greater Emanuel Baptist Church of Detroit on Dec. 1.
Unity plans to have a new church home in the city of Detroit in 2004. Unity Fellowship of Detroit is one of 15 churches in the Unity Movement founded by Bishop Carl Beam of Los Angeles in 1982. Unity was started to give LGBT persons of African descent a place to worship and feel affirmed when traditional churches turned them away or delivered messages filled with condemnation. Unity serves the LGBT community but is open to all.
