A Sit-Down With Author and Pastor Darrin Crow
Story by: Daniel Severyn, Tourism Editor
Photos by: Justin Willis
Darrin Crowe is pictured sitting between the church pews inside the nave of the church.
(Justin Willis, April 22, 2025)
(Grand Junction, CO) Among the many Christians in Grand Junction, Colorado, one of the most stand-out is Pastor Darrin Crow. Pastor Crow leads his followers at the Heart of Junction Church. Crow has also worked closely with the student ministry on campus at Colorado Mesa University since 1985. Aside from his preaching ability, Crow is also an author of multiple novels, including Understanding Theism 101 and Understanding Biblical Mental and Emotional Health.
Darrin Crow’s journey to ministry and faith was a rocky road; he became comfortable with the idea of ending his life after high school. However, when attending CMU (then known as Mesa State College), Crow was introduced to Chip Collins, the head of student ministry at the time.
“He left and went to go overseas, and basically wanted to know if I wanted to take over the thing he was doing.”
He then went on to detail his educational background, stating that he holds two master’s degrees: one in Psychology and another in Clinical and Counseling Psychology.
Crow then explained the struggles of continuing down the path of ministry, one being the lack of a paycheck.
“It wasn’t the road to financial riches, and so when I had kids, that was a challenge.”
“I wouldn’t say that I had any doubts any more than anyone else.”
When asked about his evolution in his faith, Crow stated that not much has changed. He does believe that he has become less dogmatic than he was when he was younger.
“I don’t require people to walk lockstep with me to be friends with me. I remember when I was young, we would have conversations about who was Christian and who wasn’t. I just don’t have those conversations with anyone or myself anymore.”
Crow then discussed some instances in his life where his faith could have been challenged, but was not. Through the death of a close friend and even cancer, Crow remained steadfast in his faith in Jesus. If anything, these events only strengthened his faith.
“I didn’t know what I would do if I didn’t have my faith.”
The Heart of Junction sign. (Justin Willis, April 22, 2025)
Crow opened up about his experiences as a Pastor. He touched on the make-or-break qualities that make him a good leader to his followers, as well as how he deals with situations when someone is struggling with their faith.
“I think that I was created in a certain way that was going to make me useful to certain people and certain families.”
He then mentioned his five-step tool for figuring out what someone was created for, referred to as SHAPE.
“The first S is spiritual gifting, and I believe my gift is something called exhortation, which is encouragement.”
“The H is for heart, and I have always been interested in helping others.”
“The A is natural abilities… I’ve always been generally what you call a kind person. Yeah, I’m not that nice, but I’m pretty kind.”
“P is for personality, I know where I am on the OCEAN profile (online personality test).”
“And E is for experiences, and I’ve just had a lot of experiences in my life, including being overseas 40 times.”
Crow then touched on lessons he learned from… failed presidents? Yes. He went on to explain the importance of patience and not getting ahead of oneself, and not panicking as a result. He also explained how it is essential to take one day at a time, and to take away a “win” from each day.
“I never get too panicky. The maddest I’ll ever get is when Russell Westbrook misses a layup… Most of the stuff we’re worried about is just not that important. We can’t change as much as we’d like to.”
The front of the Heart of Junction church.
(Justin Willis, April 22, 2025)
Crow then explained the ethos of his church and how they are involved with the larger community in Grand Junction. He touched on how naturally his followers jump in to assist those who needed it most.
He told me about how his followers helped a family whose house burned down in a freak fire around Christmas time. They were able to gather two beds, about $800, and Christmas gifts for this family.
“Somebody did something, they found something, and they shared it.”
He also touched on how he assists the homeless population in the city by providing them with City Market gift cards “until I’m out.”
The flower cross that sits in front of the Heart of Junction.
(Justin Willis, April 22, 2025)
For Darrin Crow, faith is something that you are born with, but it has to be developed over time. For his followers at the Heart of Junction Church, he is doing just that. Through many trials and tribulations in his life, he has been able to see the value in them and expand upon his faith in God.
“Something about remembering God is just so important.”
For more information on the Heart of Junction Church, visit https://www.heartofjunction.com or find them in person at 755 N 4th St.
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