At the age of seventeen, Pastor Joe Darby accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior after reading a gospel tract in his home. As a born again Christian, Pastor Joe’s local soul-winning Baptist Church became the focal point of his activities. He submerged himself in the King James Bible and began seeking the will of God for his life. Later that year, this same teenager attended the National Sword of the Lord Conference where the Lord began to deal with his heart about preaching the gospel. After this life-altering week in Walkertown, North Carolina, Pastor Joe returned to his local church (Clearview Baptist Church) where His Pastor (Dr. Donny Chandler) counseled him on the calling that he felt God had laid on his heart. After much prayer and supplication, Dr. Chandler allowed him to announce his call to preach, publicly. At the National Sword of the Lord Conference Pastor Darby had met a godly young lady named Melissa. Unbeknownst to Pastor Darby, Melissa had prayed in earnest for God to send her a Christian husband (and specifically a preacher) that the two might serve God together; with all of their hearts, for all of their lives. Over the next several months it became apparent, to both Bro. Joe and Sis. Melissa, that God would have them to become man and wife. After a lengthy engagement, they were married on December 31st, 2005. After being married, Bro. Joe and Sis. Melissa immediately began serving the Lord under the leadership of Pastor Chandler at the Clearview Baptist Church. For the next eight years, the couple diligently served as Bus Captains, Sunday School Teachers, Youth Director (Bro. Joe), Nursery Director (Sis. Melissa), and even in the areas of vehicle, building, and grounds maintenance. Pastor Darby and Sis. Melissa share the same biblical principles for maintaining a household and raising children with a godly heritage. These shared fundamental biblical beliefs are carried over into their church family as well. Shortly after Bro, Joe surrendered to preach, the Lord placed in His heart an overwhelming desire to pastor. As the Lord had planned it, Melissa is a wonderful helpmeet and mother. She is also wholeheartedly involved in the church ministry. In the spring of 2013, Bro. Joe felt the Lord dealing with his heart to pastor a church. He allowed Bro. Joe to start Hope Baptist Church in Carrollton, GA. in August 2013. In April of 2017, after several years of continuous worship, Hope Baptist Church voted unanimously to merge with Old Pathway Baptist Church. The two like-minded church families became one and continue to flourish in love and fellowship. We are thankful that the Lord is doing great things with, for, and through Old Pathway Baptist Church. We would love for you to visit and see what God is doing at Old Pathway Baptist Church.